Year: 1869

we were all right. We wouldn't have
sought such a berth; but since we
were in for it, he might count on US.
But we didn't tell him which side he
might count us on. He looked en-
tirely satisfied when he left US.
| As soon as we had eaten breakfast,
Jack and I got away under the lee of
the fore-rigging, and talked the mat
ter over, and this was the conclusion
we very quickly arrived at, to begin
with


We had been entrapped on board
a Pirate, and were to be forced to en-
ter the awful business. If we refused
to take part when the time came, a
brace ef bullets would settle our ac-
counts, extra wages and all. What
could we do? We must watch and
wait.


Two days Jack and | spent in study
ing the crew, and in the end we made
up our minds that we were the only
men who were not voluntarily and
willingly shipped for the bloody busi-
ness. We two had been alone entrap-
ped; so we must study and plot by
ourselves, and work by ourselves; for
be it known, that we were determined
to be free of the Pirate before blood
was spilled, if the thing could be ac
complished.


The first work towards the consum-
nation Of our plan we did was to in
vestigate, and we were not long in
making an important discovery. In
| the hold, between the shOt-bunk and
the cable-tier, was an open space of
more than a yard, clear to the keel
son. We trembled when we saw it,
and were more careful than ever in
our behavior on deck. Of course we
wanted one thing to go with the open
space below, and that was in the car
penter's chest, where we could put
our hands upon it at any moment, and
we did not mean that that moment
should be far distant.


On the fifth night Jack and | had
the first watch. As we started to turn
below, at midnight, Jack pulled me
by the sleeve.


"Say, Tom, I've got the big auger
from the chest, and dropped it into
the hold SO keep your eye open bright
for I'm going to work"


And he worked bravely and stout
| ly. | kept sharp lookout, but no.
body went near the lower hatch, nor
could | hear the sound of Jacks au-
ger, SO carefully did he turn it. At
half-past three he came and got into
his hammock, sweating like beaver,
He had bored three holes, each two
inches III diameter, entirely through
the brig pianking, and broken away
the copper Sheathing upon the outside,
and he had fitted pine plugs into the
holes, which could be removed in a
very few seconds.


Towards sunset, on the following
day, a sail was reported to leeward,
which was towards the BermudaS.-
In short time we made her out to be
a brig, standing to the North'rd and


West'rd, and we were at once heading
for her, though not under full press
of canvas; for it was Lorraine's plan
to lie low until dusk, then take a care
ful observation Of t b e strangers S
course, and, under cover of the night,
swoop down upon her and capture
her.


A fever of excitement reigned on
board the Pirate. Carl Lorraine pac-
ed up and down the quarter deck,
ever and anon stopping by the rail
and lifting his large night-glass to his
eye. His officers were superiutend.


ing the sailing of the orig, while the
crew made sure that their pistols were


in good order, and the graphing gear


and tackle in readiness. At eight


o'clock we caught sight of the stran.


gers top,hamper against the pale,
dusky sky; and, if we kept on an hour
longer, we should strike her under the


fore-foot. Jack came to me,and breath


lessly whispered that should go down
and pull out the plugs, and he would


keep watch.


| reached the hold unobserved, but
weak from excitement. | took a long


breath, then loosened the plugs, and


then pulled them out. Mercy how
the water rushed in! but | did moi


stop to be washed by it. Within two
, minutes from the time of removing
, the plugs, Jack and | were upon the
, quarterback, our pistols in our belts
. and expressing the hope that the chase


had plenty of gold and silver on board
I The minutes seemed hours until the
t steward came rushing up from below
e with the cry of, "a leak leak a
/ whole plank must be knocked out of
!. the briggs bottom!' The order wa;
' given for rigging the pumps-we hac
D two while the captain went below tt
Y investigate. But his investigation was
q very brief one. AS he reached the
edge of the lower hatch, the sound of
5 iercely rushing water struck upon hi
e ears, and with all possible haste ht
made his way back to the deck, where
a Ihe set as many of the men at work a
| the brakes as he could find room,
+ listened anxiously as he spoke will
!, his first officer, and felt deeply reliev


ed when heard him say:


e This is the result Of hurrying {
Il vessel from the stocks. 1t must b'
e that one of the planks was not prop
Ierly secured-very likely not bolte'
. at all-only fitted to its place, ant
e temporarily dowelled.'


gl And then he turned to his laborins
k crew, and urged them to save the bril-
l. if possible. But our work had beel
It too well done. In less than half al
u hour the water was two feet abov
J. the berth-deck, and gaining fast; ant
o finally, with tears in his eyes, Lor
, ro;na uavo tho o,Jor for ynonnipr fh