The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-17
self, and he groanel aloud.

IN tho channels. AS he climbed the
bank by the bridge he heard some one
running before him over the loose
planks.
He crossed the bridge and painted up
the second hill AS he reached its top
the wind from the sea struck cold on
MS sweating forehead and brought to
MS ears the sound of shouting. There
We're lights in the upper windows of
the houses he passed. Jonadab Wixon
thrust tousled head from the win
dow OF his bedroom and hailed. asking
what was the matter.
Captain TitcOmb could see the clus-
ter of buildings at the landing plainly
now anu the masrs of the catboats
alongside the wharf. The water of
the harbor was black except in one
spot. There the Diving Belle lay in
fickering halo Of red light. Little
Jets OF flame were shooting up from
her hull amidships. The smell of
burning wood come on the wind.
Lem Mullett, the livery stable keep.
er, was just ahead. putting and stun.
bling in the middle Of the narrow road.
He seized the captlin by the arm as
the latter overlook him.
"Howd-how'd-she git-aflre?" he
gasped.
Captain Titcomb did not answer. His
eyes were fixed on the burning schoon-
er, and he pushed Mr.. Mullett out Of
the way and ran on.
just as he reached the bend by New
combs fish house a huddle of men.
some with overcoats and hats and 9th
ers bareheaded and half dressed, rush.
ed wildly around the corner of the
building. The captains shoulder struck
the foremost man n blow In the chest
that knocked him backward.
ugh! Ow" grunted the man. Then
he cried: Hey? Is that you, Cap'n
Ez?"
The captain was fighting his way
through. LET me byy' he shouted.
"Git out Of my way!"
Some obeyed. bur others did not.
There were confused cries Of "Stop
him" Don't let him gov He was
seized by the arm. The crowd closed
about him.
Don't let me go!" roared the captain.
striking right and left "Wholl stop
me? Are you crazy? Parker, by thun.
der. I'll Alvin Hearse, take your
hands of mev'
But Alvin held tight "Cap'n Ez," he
pleaded. 'listen! Listen Jest minute!
You mustn't 60 or to her. Ira, hold his
other arm"
OverpOwered and held fast, the be-
wildered captain gazed ut the faces
surrounding him. "For the Lords
sakew he cried. You cowards! Are
you goin' to let her burn up without
liftln' hand? What are you standln'
here for? Why aln't you aboard your
ship. Alvin Bearse? Did you set her
aflre yourself? Let ME go! I'W'-
He struggled frantically. "Cap'n e."
pleaded Alvin, 'listen to me. The dy-
namite's aboard-the dynamite!'
Captain Tltc0mb stopped struggling.
The dynamite In the hold! He had for
gotten II entirely. That was why no
boats had put out to the burning ves-
sci. That was what they were running
away from.
"'Taln't safe to stay herev' shouted
some one from the outskirts of the rap.
Idly growing crowd. ''We'n be blower
10 slivers when she goes of. Git back
to the hill"
S'"e- Racheldor." yelled the cap
tain, "you're coward anu Always
was! But amt there no men In this
gang? Bearse! Sparrow. Ellis Are
you goin' to stand by and see me and
Brad ruined? Who'll come with me
and pitch the .stuff overheard? Well
save her yet Come on"'
They were wavering some Of them.
Bearse was a brave man; so was Ellis.
The two looked at each other.
Come on. boysr' shouted the cap.
tain. getting one arm free and waving
il. Then. as new thought struck him
"Whats the matter with you? Dyna-
mite don't blow up in a fire. 1t burns
like cord wood. Come on. you fools.'
They migIt have followed him then.
but Captain Edward Taylor came up.
A man of experience alongshore and
one Of the towns selectmen. his words
carried weight. Don't let him STIR he
commanded. dynamite boxed in as
he's got 1t In that hold is sure to ex-
plode. and he knows it. The least
shock II do it IL the fire doesn't. Come
back to the hill. Ez. you'll have to go
with Ys."
That settled 1t. Fighting. pleading.
swearing, Captain Titcomb was car
rled by main force along the road to-
ward the hill by the bridge. Long
tongues Of flame were spOuting from
the Diving Relies main hatch. Up In
the village the schoolhouse bell was
ringing.
Don't let anybody go near the
wharf" ordered Captain Taylor
Warn 'em as fast as What's that:"
There was n scutiie OH the road be-