Year: 1862

{ number of the men had gathered about the spot. The hatch was raised, and the Commo- dore carefully picked up the ball of twine, and found that it was made fast to something below. He descended to the hold, and there found that the twine ran in beneath the lid of the coffin He had no doubt in his mind now that there was mischief boxed up before him, and he sent Carter for something that might answer for a screw driver The man soon returned with a stout knife, and the Commodore set to work He worked very carefully, however, at the same time keeping bright lookout for the string.

 At length the screws were all out, and the lid was carefully lifted from it's place.

 Great God in Heaven burst from the lips of the Commodore

 BySam Hyde dropped like thunder clap from the tongue of Dan.

 God bless you, Dan said Tucker II knowed It. uttered Dan. The two men stood for moment and gazed l into the coffin. There was no dead man there, | but in the place thereof there was material for tbe death of score. The coffin was filled with gunpowder and pitch-pine! Upon light frame work in the centre were arranged four pistols, all cooked and primed, and the string which en- tered the coffin from without communicated with the trigger of each.

 The first movement of the commodore was to

  dashed three buckets full into the internal con- trivance, and then breathed more freely.

 "No, mo- he uttered, as he leaped from the hold. No, no, my men. Do nothing rash.- Let me go into the cabin first. You may follow me-

 Commodore Tucker strode into the cabin, walked up to the bunk where his passenger lay and grasping hold of the female dress, he drag ged it's wearer out upon the floor, There was sharp resistance, and the passenger drew pistol but it was quickly knocked away-the gown was torn off, and man came forth from the chaos of calico and linen.

 The fellow was assured that his whole plot had been discovered, and at length he owned that it had been his plan 10 turn out in the night and get hold of the ball of twine, which he had left in convenient place. He then intended to go aft, carefully unwinding the string as he went falls, and as the boat fell into the water, he would have pulled smartly upon the twine.

 And l think you know he continued. with a wicked look, what would have followed. l shouldn't have been noticed in the fuss; I'd have got out of the way with the boat, and you'd all have been in the next world in short erdsr-- All can say is, I'm sorry didn't do it.

 It was with difficulty that the Commodore prevented his men from killing the villain on the spot He proved to be one of the enemy's off cers, and he was to have received heavy re- ward if he succeeded in destroying the American Commodore and his crew.

 The prisoner was carried on deck, and lashed to the main rigging, where he was told he should remain till the vessel got into port.

 What horrd death that villain meant for us,' uttered Carter.

 Yes, he did, sad Tucker shuddering.

 He belongs to the same gang that has been robbin' and burnin' the poor folks houses on the Eastern coast. said one.

 Yes, returned the Commodore, with nerv ous twitch of the muscles of his face.

 A bitter curse from the prisoner here broke upon the air, and with clutched fist the Com modore went below.

 In the morning when Commodore Tucker came on deck, Seguin was in sight upon the starboard bow, but when he looked for the prisoner he was gone.

 Carter where's that villain I lashed there last night?'

 Pm sare don't know where he is, Commo- dore.. Perhaps he's jumped overheard!

 The old Commodore looked sternly into Car ter's eyes, and he saw twinkle of satisfaction gleaming there. He hesitated Q moment-then he turned away and murmured to himself Well, we'll can't blame them. If the mur- derous villains gone to his death, he's only met a fate which lie richly deserved. Better far that it be he than my noble crew were now all ia the oceans grave!