Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-03-25
CHAPTER XVI.

blOthdue EuilutT uuutT lIlt quarter oil
side away from the shore and quickl.
made fast to her. The ebb tide was run
ming strong. and he had to have something
to hold on to keep from drifting dowr
the inlet to sea He calculated that who
ever might be on the Greyhound woulC
be on the shore side, attracted thereto by
the noise and confusion about the house
attendant upon his escape. He resolved
to hang on to the Greyhound until mat
ters queted down and then drift clear OF
her and row back to the Ellen. He could
hear the men on the deck above talking
He gathered that there were but three
men on the Greyhound simply as ship
keepers. Her fires were drawn; evidently
She lay helpless.
He waited patiently until the commo-
tion above him had died away, and he
surmised from the steady tramp of foot
steps to and fro on the deck that two of
the men had gone below and that the 9th
er remained on watch. Presently he heard
the man on watch go forward. Now was
his time. He cast off the painter. which
had been passed through a ring bolt.
and in an instant the strong current
swept the boat clear of the Greyhound.
He broke out the oars and, rowing as
noiseessly as possible, headed the skif
towards the Ellen. Fortunately the Grey
hound was anchored some distance up
stream and it did not require any severe
pulling to bring the boat alongside the
privateer. Thrusting his revolver in his
jacket twisting his iron bar into his belt,
he stood up in the boat and made leap
for the dolphin striker-the Ellen was
schooner rigged-thrusting the boat vio-
lently away as he jumped so that she
cleared the ship and disappeared in the
darkness down the stream. If he sue
ceeded he would have no need of her. If
not-well, a coffin would be nearer his
thing on success.
Cautiously drawing himself up on the
jibboom, he gained the deck, then care
fully made his way along the deserted
gangway. So far as he could discern in
the blackness of the night there was but
one man on the deck. and he stood aft
In the gangWay gazing at the shore.
Smith, who had taken off his shoes and
left them ON the heel of the bOwsprit, |
crept towards the unsuspecting Confed |
crate He moved as stealthily and as
softly as cat or a tiger. The luckless
was leaning on the rail staring |
through the opening made by the gang |
way to the shore. He had no reason to
suspect the approach of anyone behind
him. Creeping up close, Smith struck |
him a quick. heavy blow on the side of
the head with his iron bar. The man |
dropped forward without a sound. but |
before he fell to the deck his assailant
had clasped him in his arms and eased
him down silently. The seaman's skull
has crushed and although he was not
lead he was incapable of giving an alarm
,r. indeed of making sound. He had
,ide of the deck would have suspected
so surely and so silently had
smith worked
Il hated to do it." muttered Smith,
,tra tightening the mans limbs on the
lo ok, but | had to- 1t was your life or
nine. your duty or mine, poor fellow"
There was a light burning in the cabin
haft him. The Ellen was provided with
raised poop and the cabin was entered
rem the quarter deck. Not knowing eX-
city whom he should meet, but ready for
nything. the young man carefully opened
he door. and. revolver in hand confront
d Major Jones.
Well" said the Major in astonishment,
YOU are a id fool -
Il tell you to keep quiet reiterated
he younger man slowly. Don't say an
ther word except to answer my ques-
IONS
He showed the barrel of the pistol in
he Majors face as he spoke. There was
Dmething about the look of his assailant
nat warned the old soldier that the young
lan was not to be trifed with under the |
circumstances. He bit his lips. therefore,
nd made no sound.
stand up" whispered the Yankee Cap q
lin softly.
Would you murder me-" involuntarily
hispered the Major as he Obeyed.
Il wouldn't harm hair on your head" O
nswered Smith. much to the relief of
,rtain young lady who was listening. 2
nd through the curtained door staring. -
great excitement, from the cabin close Il
You were going to take my life he b
most unjustly. | will spare Il
,urs You're her father | mean to b
I'VE this ship. l came here to get it and v
intend to do So
What do you wish me to do:" asked
1nes. W
Go aft into that cabin yonder. I re- d
ct to be compelled to bind and gag you .
ence, silence don't make a sound. ! u
II you. If it comes TO your life or mine,
u know which it will be-"
The Major was choking with suppressed g
rath. but he was helpless. Into the \
ter cabin he was marched. Smith had
Z ided himself with eoil Of light rope II
hile be was on deck The Majors hands Il
are tied behind his back. Then Smith 81
rust a gag into his mouth. laughed, and b
,ologized for his harsh treatment. II
IL am sorry" he said, but | have TO \
axe sure Of you" Il
Then he sat the Major down in a chair II
hard-lashed his feet together. and
ALLY tied him securely to the chair He
lrked with desperate energy, but with n
o skill and assurance Of a man accus- Il
med "a handling knots and ropes. Max b
2 sure that the gag was all right. and p
1iling in spite Of himself at the futile 1
rath Of the enraged old man. who could y
Ily express his anger by the rolling of G
8 eyes, he closed the door softly and