Year: 1871

crashing of door, when Ray cautiously peered down the hatch and as he kneeled there gazing down, I could see tremor running through his whole frame, and when at last he turned to us, his voice was so husky as to be almost inaudible, when he whispered: "He's got into the powder room w

 shall never forget his countenance as he gazcd up at us, fixed-rigid to a degree. For few moments, horror, and dread of impending death seemed to have robbed him of all power. Then he sprang up, the man once more."

 "Quick p he exclaimed, 'for your lives :"

 Then leading the way, he dashed down the cabin stairs, we following him, but only to find our progress arrested by the closed door, which resisted all our efforts.

 "Listen! whispered Ray and then he continued: "Good heavens, if he were to fire now!"

 The next moment there was a sound which seemed to make every nerve in my body thrill, and frankly own that had my limbs obeyed my will, I should have rushed on deck, seized coop or grating and leaped over the side, for plainly enough to be heard came sharp cracking noise, and it wanted not the mates word to enlighten us as he hissed out " Lucifers! :" "Here, quick, for Gods sake ]" exclaim- ed Anderson. "Look here; we are forcing the wrong way at the door,"

 He dragged at it, but in vain, for few minutes, till, running on deck, the old sailor returned in an instant with a couple of marline-spikes, which we were inserting just as we once more heard the crackle of a match.

 "Quick it's for dear lifer' cried Ray, and the door crashed, gave way and flew open, to reveal to us, standing. perfectly unmoved by our forcible entry, the Captain, holding lighted splint to an iron bound chest, which was already blackened and charred at the edge.

 For few moments we could none of US stir. It seemed as if at the slightesl motion on our part, the chest-which I afterward learned was filled with cartridges for the supply of one of the petty armies engaged in the Paraguayan war-would explode, followed by the other chests and kegs piled around. Then came the Cap tain's low chuckling laugh, and we heard him say: This will drive you out, then, strong as you are."

 Then, with gesture of impatience, he threw down the burnt-out splint, took a fresh match from the box he held, and was about to strike it, when, with cry that did not sound human, Anderson leaped upon him, and with one tremendous blow struck him down, trampling on him the next moment as he applied his moist lips to the charred and smoking edge of the chests.

 The Captain was not stunned though and directly after fearful struggle took place amid these kegs, my part being con, fined to the securing of the match box which I tore from his hand, trembling as I did so lest it should, explode. Then came the loud panting breathing of the wretched man. as, held down by four strong men, he bowed his body up again and again with bower that was almost superhuman. But the danger was now passed and without losing moment, we dragged him out into his own cabin. Water was abun- dantly applied to the charrcd side of the box; and MT. Rays first act was to make the carpenter screw up the door in way that restored confidence as every screw wa: driven in. I say his first act; for his second was to sit down on the deck and cover his face with his hands, and remain in that position for fully half an hour.

 Constant watching, binding, and the ust of patent drugs placed the Captain out O the reach ofmeans to place us again in peril But though breeze sprung up the next day, and our well-managed ship prosper ously finished her voyage, I never lay down to sleep the rest of the time withou [ shudder, and never once dropped of without waking with start from horri ble dream of seeing the Captain, match-bo: } in hand, applying a light to the edge o the cartridge e-chest.-Chambers' Journal.