' I.
Petroleum Centre Daily Record.
Pet. Centre, t'rUr CP
A. JS.tAI. Jiailor.
TilDd of Clualng JWalle.
JuLt Wrt, I8CS. J
Until further notice the malls will arrive at and
depart from this office as follows:
A1UUVI.
South and Bast, via. Irvlneton, 10.58 A. M.
Keith and Want, " Mcadvlllc, B.18 P. M.
North and Hast, Corry, 8.55 "
strain.
Booth and Wert, 8.45 A. M.
BouM East and Went, S.30 P. M.
North, Kiwt and Went, 10.00 A. M.
Uivlne Service.
PRESBYTERIAN CUURCU.
Preaching at 11 o'olock A. M., and 1
o'clock P. M.
Ret. J. T. Oxtobt, Pastor.
METnODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Services evory Sabbath at 11 A. M. and
1 P. M. Sabbath School at9J A. M.
eats free. A cordial invitation extend
ed to all.
Rev. C. M. Hkaiid, Pastor.
, ST8. PETER AND PAUL'S (Catbolle)
CHURCH.
Mass at 10 a. in.
Vesper and Benediction of, thOj Blessed
Sacrament at 4 p. m.
Catechism at 2 'p. ra.
JAMES DUNN, Pastor.
Change of Time.
. OILCKREK & ALLEQHKNEY RIVEK IIA1LWAY
MONDAY, SEPT. I'.th, 18G0.
Northward Train
Leave Pet. Contro 7:50 a m , ar. at Vowj 9:40 a.m.
" " " 10.44 a m , ar. " I25p m.
ii ii S:Mp.m,ar. " 5:1(1 n.m.
' 1 1:06 p. m,ar. TltusvHlet30p m.
8ontliward Trains
Leave rot.Cctitre. 7 :10 a.m.. ar. at Oil Clly8:10 am
' " tl AO p. m., ar. 1:4 p m
" 7:63 p. m., nr. " S:5 p m
- - " 4 30 p. m. ar. " 6:60 pm
JTIila Train will atop 20 minutes for dinner.
IThese are Freight Trains and go to Titnavlllo and
Oil City.
These trains pass at this point. The uuthwur
Train ttoping for breakfast
.The 2:45 p m Train going North and the 7:53
Train going Booth ran on Sundays.
REPUBLICAN MEKTTNO.
Thcro will ho a meeting of the Republicans of
Cornplanter Townihlp, In Hotwl's Opera House, Sit-
urday evening, Sept. 11, at 7 o'clock, to organize for
the campaign, and placo In nomlnutlon a township
ticket.
Pat Donagan was arrested to-day for as
sault upon David Lansn, and the prisonor
gave ball (or bis appearance at court.
New Well. CoL A. P. Duncan and Fid
Bishop have struck a now well on the Lee
Farm, near Oil City, which Is now doing
f ma 10 lo 15 barrels. We congratulato tbo
owners upon their success.
Tub Avonpale Disaster. The very
latest intelligence from this terrible mining
disastor, reports that ninety bodies havo
been discovered, and eighty of them have
been raised to the top. The Coroner wilj
take evidence to-morrow afternoon.
At the Rochester House Restaurant this
evening, will be served soft shell crabs, tur
tle soup, and turtle steak.
Selling orr at Cost. Messrs. Lam
meis JfcAlden, proprietors of the Jamestown
store, are offering great Inducements to
purchasers, for tbe next ten days. Clothing
of the very best quality is offered bolow cost,
ho opportunity seldom met with, and
those who deslro to purchase wil! avail them
selves of it. Look out fur a flaming adver
tisement to-morrow.
Petroleum Exchange Restaurant.
Messrs. Sutherland & Taylor, proprietors of
I'etroloum Exchange saloon, have opened
their restaurant, and have secured tbe servi
ces of one of tho best cooks in tbe couuiryto
cator to tbe wants of their customers. To.
night will bo served up soft sbell crabs, blue
flab, eels, sbell and tub oysters, and clams.
Tbe boys will do their utmost to please.
A Rare Cuan-cb. Mr. Barker, having
engaged the services of Mr. E. Howard,
whose reputation as a colorist ranks with
the first artists of the country, is prepared
to furnish photographs beautifully colored
or finished in India Ink. -Those desiring
such work, either from life or copied from
small pictures, should embraoe the opportu
nity at onoe, and oall at Barker's photo
graphic gallery, on Washington street, Pe
troleum Centre. aug25-lm
Cheaper than the cheapest for tbo next
ten days at Lammors & Aldon's.
Parlor and Cooking Stoves at
Nicholson & Blnckmon's.
Tinware, in retail and jobbing lots, at
NicholBon & Blackmon's.
Very best case-hardened working barrels
Nicholson & Bluckmon's.
Fruit Cans! ut .
Nicholson & Blackmon's.
Lammers 4 Alduu are solliug off present
0IWV& ui cull,
THE HOY MAOICIA-:
01!,
The Secrets of tho Sen.
CHATTER I.
TUB PRISONER OF MID-OCEAN.
Lato one summer afternoon, a dozen
years ago, a solitary white man stood heforo
an idolatrous tempi!) on na Island iu the
South Pacific.
Ilo was of middle ago, tall, tbin and
gaunt, with rugged features and sorrowful
eyes, and with every sign of goodness and
iiilellegcnce.
Besido him was a grim stone idol, in gro
tesque human form, more then twice as lull
as bimsolf, which bo bad just finished, as
was indicated by tho mullet aui chisel in
bis bunds.
It is done," bo muttered, "and theso
heutben littlo Buspcot that 1 bnve cut my
name and story iuto the base of this idol."
lie ran bis eye rapuliy over ino inscrip
tion in question. It was us follows:
The 8th of May, 18.12, I, llnvM Lester, nf
the Ann or Lester A Nichols, of Norfolk, Vn
sailed as a pasonejtr 'from Charleston for
Hong Koiil', via I 'ape Horn, in tho ship
llecTu.' A cyclone struck us In mid-ocean,
tho ship foimtrcd, and wo took lothe ouais
which all tilled, with the exception of the
one I was Id After drifting several day,
during which niy cotnpnniina perished. I
reached this Islnnd. Tee Idolatrous Inhabi
tants made me a slave in their temple, and for
move tnan lour years i iiuvo oeeu uoing me
nial ofllces and carving images. I have been
ctmiued every night, mid watched continual
ly by da', 'but have nevertheless made three
nt'euipt at cheapo, and shall soon make a
nother Outihtlcss niy last, as I am hound to
succeed or die, preferring jouth to a longer
captivity. 1 therefore write these wonU un
this Idol, praying any one who may seetbein
to report my fate If possible, to my family
at Norfolk, Va Finished tllis Inacripliou
tliis 7th day of July, 1837 "
For several minutes the prisoner contem
plated these lines tn silence, and then
aroused himself, looking warily around.
Three times I have tried to escape in a
canoe," be muttered, "and every time I
was caught, and visited with tortures. To
be caught again In Bitch an attempt will be
certain death. Yet, I will risk all, tbe first
opportunity that offers. This longing lor
freedom and my family is becoming a posi
tive madness. Ob, ray God! what is that?"
He gazed in perfect stupefaction to tbo
eastward, far out upon the ocean.
There, miles and leagues away, was a
ship, ber wbito Balls gleaming as she lay
becalmed upon tbe waters.
"A ship! a ship!" cried Loster, sobbingly.
"At last, oh, Hoaveut At last my prayer
is answered !
THE PRISONER'S HOME.
On the oust hank of the Elizaboth river,
just out oi Norfolk, and overlooking Hamp
ton Roads, stood a beautiful cottage, the
home of the wife and daughter ot David
Lester, tho prisener of the lone isluud in tho
tar Pacific.
Noar tbe.closoof a lovely afternoon in
May, Mrs. Lester and her daughter .sat to
gether upon their front verandah.
Tbe mother wag a lovely, sweet-faced,
sad-eyed woman ot two und thirty years.
The daugoter. Amy Lester, not yet fif
teen, was a strungo compouud of child and
woman.
Vou are thinking of fa I ber, deur moth
er?" miitmurdd tho maiden, as she marked
tbo lady's lunging gazo.
"Yes, child. Your father, my husband:
where- is be? Somewhere under tbe sea
waves, wrecked on a desert isluud. or lan
guishing on a hostile shore? It is five years
since De leit us on that fatal voyage to thl
na. My reason assures mo that be is dead:
yet. Amy, Icon only think of him as liv
ing." "It is so with toe, mother," said Amy,
w.tU u tremulous quiver of ber lips. "1
dream often that bo is living tbut ho Is
coming home!"
"Wo need him in a hundred ways," said
Mrs. Lester, sighing. "If anything weru
to nappen to me, Amy, l shudder to tniuK
what would become of you. You have been '
brought up in luxury, and would fuel keen
ly any cbunge to poverty. "
Are wo not rich, then, mother?" asked
Amy, In surprise.
"1 supposed so, dear, until three years
ago," replied the mothor sadly. "Your
father was a merchant nnd ship-owner, a
partner of Colonel Nichols. But two years
ago Colonel Nichols informed mo that the
outstanding debts of tbo firm more than
balanced the assets; ia short, Amy, that bo
wason the verge of bankruptcy, his fortune
and ours alike wrecked."
"I tlou't like Colonel Niohols," said
Amy, thoughtfully. "If he lost all bis
money with ours, how does he live in such
grand style? To whom do his ships and
great house belong.
"To lii3 nophew, Ally Hull. Co onel Nich
ols is Ally's guardian. Tbe Colonel has no
thing of bis own, exceptiug a farm or two
tip-country which wore not risked in the
busiuess."
Amy contracted hor littlo brows reflec
tively, and was about to reply, when the
garden gate Bwung otf its hinges, aud a
Doyisu uguro came llghtiv up tho walk.
It's Ally, mother it's Ally Bull!" ex
claimed Amy, all smiles and blushes. "I'll
bring him to you
Tne young girl ran lightly down the ve
randah stpps, nnd met tbe new-comer, link
ing her arm in bis, and drawiug him gently
towarus tue nouse.
He was a lad of seventeen, an orphan,
the nephew and wunl of Colonel Nichols.
Bright, gay and handsome, Allen Bell was
also iaipeluujis, ardent aud intelligent one
of those uoble, manly hoys who mature
early iuto grand and noble men. Boy as he
was, he loved Amy Lester with a pure aud
cbjpalrous love, which bade fair to deepen
in time into the great lovo of bis life.
lid was the bearer of a letter from bis
uncle to Mrs. Loster, and having delivered
it, bo strolled witn Amy down the wido
gurden walks, ioto the coot sbadowB of a
grove at the bottom of the garden.
'I've beon expecting you this good
while, Ally," said Amy, with charming
frankness. I thought you would be beru to
try those scieutilio experiments to-day!"
'We'll try tbem to-uigbt, Amy," replied
Ally. "Tbe blue lights show butler at night.
I'm jotting ulomr tluolv with mv chemislrv.
Amy, 1 like it lust of all my studies." '
i am sure you do," said Amy, earnestly.
"You aro tho nicest boy I ever saw!"
Ally Bell laughed aloud. Amy's childliko
simplicity und outspoken truthfulness were
her trrerUesL plwtrm ill his CVCS.
"Tho sight of that brig yonder." said
Allv. "reminds mo that I promised to meet
Colonel Nichols on boaid of it directly alter
I delivoted that letter to jour mother. 1
must go now, hut you may expect mo as
soon ns it's dark."
Ho clasped her in bis arms and kissed
ber.
For a minute tho youthful lovers stood nt
tho garden gate, towards which they had
slowlv walked, nnd hero they parted sober
ly Ally lo go down lo tho brig wberu be
had engaged" to meet his undo, and Amy to
return lo her mother.
Sho found Mrs. bealer. tho open letter In
her lap, silent uad motionless as a statue,
ber altitude that of profound despair.
"What is it, mother?" cried Amy, iu wild
alarm, springing lo ber side.
Mrs. Lester looked at her daughter with
a woe-stricken face.
"O, Amy!" she cried, tinning to that
brave childish heart for strength und com
fort. "Colonel Nichols writes mo that we
aro beggars! Ho reminds mo that ho has
asked mo three several times to marry him.
And, Amy, he says he kuows your father to
be dead, and be odors himself lo me for the
last tituo. Ho reminds ine of my ill health,
cf your youth nnd helplessness; and he
pays," and Mrs. Lester's voice broke down
in a tempest of sobs, "that on tbo ono band
be otters me wealth, comfort and happiness,
on tbo other poverty and sorrow. If 1 refuse
bim, he swears to turn us out of our borne
to-morrow I"
"Oh, mother!" exclaimed Amy, with a
sharp cry, as she hid herself in ber mother's
bosom.
CHAPTER II.
AS DERFERATE STUCGOI.E rOR LIBERTY.
Before Ally Bell reached the brig lying at
tho wharf, bis uncle, Colonel Nichols, bad
been there, and arranged with the Captuin,
who went by tbe name of Hlley. to carry
Ally off to China, for which service the
Colonel promised togivo Ally the brig nnd
ten thousand dollars, in ease the boy never
earns back. Hiley was a murderer, whose
real name was Sprouts, and Colonel Nich
ols knew it. And Colonel Nichols bad rob
bed Mrs. Lester, and now wanted to rob his
nophew nnd havo bim murdered, and Hlley
knew that, and resolved that Ally Bell
should never sea Norfolk again. itr
"Whero is the lad?'' bo asked, as be and
Colonel Nichols finished drioking success to
their nefarious schemes, to which tho Colc-
nel replied :
"Ilo should be here at this very moment.
Ab, I hear bis step on deck now! Hero ho
comes "
Even as ho snoko Allv Bell came hurrv-
ing into tbe cabin, his face fluthod w ith
plcasurublo excitement,
"I'm just in lime to see you off, Captain
Hlley," be said, not noticing tbe guilty
looks of bis conspirators. "Tbo wind is luir,
and tho crow anxious. A good voyngu lo
you, Captain. Bring mo some rare shells
when you return. They aro for a little
gifiscabiuot, and must be pretty!"
Aye, nve, Mr. Allen," n spended the
Oapluin, heartily. "Didu't you see my coi
lection of shells iu yonder stateroom? No?
You are welcome to your choice of thoin
un. sir.
Ha advanced and flung opon tho state
room door.
Ally bent fonverJ and looked In.
With a quick thrust Hilev nushed him
into the littlo room und hurriedly locked tho
door.
With an exultant smile Colonel Nichols
said adieu, nod went ushore.
Tho next minute the hurried trampling
ot feet was blondcd with the songs of tho
Bioui seamen, ns me brig moved slowly
r . l . . ..." -
iioui iuo wuan towards tne sea.
Ally's first thought, on finding himself
sunt up In baptniu Hiley's stateroom, was
that tho two men wero joking merely in
tending to Bcare him a little, and then let
bim out; hut be soon discovered that tbe
Quickstep the brig was so named had
leu ner wharf, and was standing down tlrb
fcilzuoutn liver towards the ocean.
Tho truth flashed upon him!
"lsoeit ull!" he cried, leaping to bis
leet. "Hiley Is taking me to sen with him!
Captain Hiley," ho shouted, nouiidius un
the wall, "open the door, this minute! Let
me o u, or u will oo bad lor you! '
ivo repiy was niudo to him -no attention
paid to his cries.
He saw that ho was fast.
tor a moment he was stunned by tho
knowledpe of Ins situation.
Then ho drew up hia sliy.ht, boyish figure
ptouoly, his eyes Hashing dotlancu.
"The thing for mo to do," he mused, "is
to help myself. A boy who can't tight bis
own way will never be a man!"
Drawing trom his pocket u match, of
which ho usually carried a supply, he light
en me cimaie in us oos at ono end ot liie
stateroom.
'I see," be montally commented, looking
around In tho light thus furnished. "Hero's
a wnole dray load 01 boxes und bundles.
And hore's acauoon, too." added Allv. "a
small ono, which is expected, no douiit, to
bring a big price from thoso simplo natives
ju i.uu ooiiiu aca.
"1 can uso this thing," thought tlm boy,
vim muuiiug eyes, "i nave plenty orpow
dor in my pocket!"
Ilo had bought this powder just before bo
kmuu nooi.ru oi tue urljt, lor tho experi
ments be had promised to show Amy that
very evouinir.
Without more ado, Ally set about loading
and tiring tho little cunnon as raoldlv no
iwrciuio, Hiiiusoiug tuouoor, una calling out
lor everybody to keep out of the way. T!ie
captain and crew wera fruntio with 1'ear, ns
there was a largo quantity of powder in the
stateroom, and the prospect was that the
ship would be blowu to atoms. Havin
tilled tho Htatercom and cabin with smoke
Ally soizod one of the Captain's revolvers
burst opeu tho shattered door, rushed upon
ueca, aim loupeu into tne river.
"Thunder and lightning!" cried Hiley,
startled beyond expression. "After tlm
boy, all of you! Sitju himself is it) bim
A hundred dollars to tho man who first puts
a hnnd upon him!"
With yell, ns of bloodhounds, half a
dozen suf Uiley's men splashed into tho
river, incited by the promise of money, and
sprang to the pursuit, while Hiley, hastily
lowering a boat, towvd after his men. whom
bo soon overtook, ono after another, and
ordered into the boat. They then pulled on
alter Ally, who had distanced iho men
while they were In tho water, but who
could not compete with the boat. Arriving
nt nn old sunken schooner, a long wny from
tho shore, the hoy climbed tho topmast, and
looked back at Hiley, who was rapidly ap
proaching. The captnin felt fuio of his
prey, and was telling his men how to seize
the boy, when Ally suddenly fell from the
topmast, as if shot, und immediately sunn
from sight.
Thunder and lightning!" criod Hlley,
"he's gone!"
' Gone?'1 echoed all the men in chorus.
"Yes, gone!" and Hiley sprang to hia
feet, bending forward. "I saw bim go! lie
tell hack iuto the water, and went down
lik. a bullet, without the least cry! Pull
tor your lives!"
Tne men obeyed. Tho boat was nutckly
besidd the topmast, but no trace cf tl:o boy
could be Ion ml.
"I'll taka my BiM oath," snid Hiley,
that tho young salamander has not gone
towards the nearest Bhore or any other. A
cramp or a shark has took html
The eyes of tho aoiiuiuinj villain lit up
Strangely, ulmost savagely.
And such benig the tact, men, lidded ne,
"wo may as well give up tho search."
The men reauxied their onrs, thefjiptain
tbo tiller, and the boat returned iu silence
to tho brig with Ally clinging quietly to
the stern, bis tic ml just lar enough out ot
Iho water to enable . him to breathe, and
tbero bo continued to stay until the boat
returned to the brig.
Aud the boat liein left In tho water at
tho stem of tt-e brig, it incurred to Ally to
unfasten the boat I torn its painter, lot U
drift down stream somo distance, then
climb icto It, and row away for Norlolk,
which be at once did.
For a minute or two tho bout continued
to spead away in the darkness.
Aud then Ally climbed out of the water
Into it, with a sih of relief, and sei. d a
puir of onis resolutely.
Crouching out ol sight in tho bottom ol
the boat, he began-rowiug shorewurdi but
softly, for bo was still near tho brif, und
the uiht was so culm bo leared his euemies
would hoar him.
Ther. was only loo much occasion, as
it pioved, for this caution.
a ho boat had Dot gono two minutes Uom
the brig, when Captain Hiley, wishing to
go ashore to see Colonel Nichols, made his
way nit, and discovering lis disappearance
at once sent a couple of men alter it iu an
other bout.
Ally seeing that ho must agun take to
tbe water, look the oars aloLg with hiui,
and went drifting seaward, with nothing
but a pair or oars lo support mm.
The night bad now lolly set tn'aml the
tide ran lost. Cramped nud chilled by his
long conlinunnce in water, tlio boy was
whirled iilong, trowing weaker eveiy too
merit; but just us hope u9 at ito cob, he
suddenly beheld u sail behind him, rapidly
approaching, under tue lurco cl a Ireslieiiiug
breize.
"A brig, certaiu! ' ho gruned, alter a
long look at the rearing olotid of canvass.
"It must beold litley s! Tbo wind having
come ngniu, be s oil lor luo t i ciiis ocean :
ilo regarded the brig, its U came nearer.
asking himself if be fhouli hail ber.
"bet ber be what sho may, ho muttered,
"friend or toe. I must hail t or! My s'.n n ,tn
Ij used up! I sbull soon slip oil' of the.-e
oars and drow u ! Fortunately tho brig ii
coming straight towards me. 1 will hail her!
Ilo waited till tho brie, was no ir him, und
then carried bis resalvo into execution.
Hisfvcblo call was beard and answered, the
brig hove to, a boat was lowered, and ho was
taken aboard I ho stianger. Tbo boy had
only strength enough to team that the was
not Uilpy's, and then ho fainted.
CHAPTER III.
M O It K V I I, I. a I N V .
Captain Hiley, verily beliuving I'at Ally
was drowned, went ashoru to inform Col.
Nichols of tho fuot. Ilo found Uim Colonel
just coming from Mrs. Lester a cottage,
where be had gono an hour belore,and stun
ned Amy by informing her that Ally Hell,
ber lover and hero, was boing carried ofl' to
sea in tho Quickstep, und that Bho would
never see him again.
Tbe Colonel heard Hilley's story about
Ally's disappearance with bi eat bless inter
est, U3 they walked ulonj( tho bench; after
which tho two villuius congratulated them
selves upon tho boy's being thus completely
taken out of their pal h.
W'uilo discussing the matter they beard
the sound cl oars, nnd 8)un saw a boat ap
proaching tho siiore opposite a cottage be
longing to an old retired sailor named Nich
olas Collins, which was situated at the foot
of Mrs. Lister's garden. In the boat was a
muu, and along with him was a female, sob
bing convulsively. Colonel Nichols, with
surprise und alaim. recognized the voice ot
tlio weeper as that of Amy Letter. 81,'.' and
her companion left the boat unl entered Iho
coltngo, from the windows of which a li.:ht
soon shone. Colonel Nichols und Captain
Hiley crept beneath a window, to spy and
lUten. They soon learned that Collins had
rowed Amy oil' to tho brig in search of Al!y,
and she had there beard of his attempt lo
escape and his conscquout death by drown
ing Amy wr.s vehement In her denunciations
of Col. Nichols, and declared that if Ally
was really dead, sho would ruisn tho wliolo
country against bis uncle, who bad compas
sed his death.
On aiteinpliiij to risu to go home, Amy
found she was too weak to walk, and sent
Collins for her moilier to como to her. As
soon as tbn old sailor left the collage, Col.
Nichols proposed to Hiley tiiat ho should
carry Amy off, instead of Ally, ami leave
her on n plantation of his on the coast, down
by Cape Henry, so as to silence her danger
ous tonguo, and also to five bim a hold on
her mother. Tho Captain agreed to this,
aud they entered the cottage, oorniuj upon
Amy so suddenly that, in het weak state
iho was completely overcome and fuiaei
away.
"So much tho bet ter I" said Nichols, stoop,
irtg nnd gathering ber in bis arms. "Mow
lead the way to your boat, Ililey. )n yon
way, you must overset Collins's boat, to
make bim think she did it herself iu a vcild
mood."
Ho hurried out ol the Cottnge, bearing hit
frail burden. Hiley followed hastily, nnij
tlio two mado their way to tho spot whom
Collin's boat lay. It was but tho work of
moment for Hiley to push off tho little craft,
and overset it. '
"There, they'll think the girl got wild
with grief, aud In an attempt to search lor
Ally again, was drowned!" Bald tlie Colonel
exultantly, tossing Amy's while apron oil
tho beach. "That apron will fix tlio mat
ter beyond a doubt! Tbe wind Is riaiii;,
Hlley. You had better tako advautsgo of
it."
Tho (wo hurried to tho waiting boat
Hiley laid tho unconscious Amy iu the bot
tom, and then seized tho ours aud rowed rap
idly toward tlio brig.
Nichols, lull of exultation, looked after
the boat until it was lost to view.
"My first plan wns successful!" he mutlot.
ml. "Ally is dead! I am a rich man! Aiul
my second plun promisee u liko success!
When Margaret lister's heart is nearly bro
ken nt Amy's loss, I will oiler to restore ker
child on conditio!! that she will marry uiel
Tho day of my full triumph is near!"
Ilo looked with glouliug eyes seaward, ex
ulting in his evil success, until ut last, neat
ly nu hour later, the sails of Quick-tep fil
led, nnd tho brig moved swiftly towurd tlio
sea, taking with ber Margaret Lcaler's only
comfoit tho distant father's star of hope!
CHAPTER IV.
f.KSTER ESCAPES AMD IIEAKS I'ROM IIOM.
We left David Lester un his lonely Ulatid.
planing bis escape, with a ship iu sibt
liotit tho elevated point wiiero ho was at
work, lie waited nil nlgtit and until a
priest of the idolatrous temple catuo to
cliiiiu bim In bis dungeon, where they
nightly confined him; and then suddenly
leaped upon tho priest, ho boru bim to tlio
floor, chained and gagged bim, dis.min'd
himself iu his priestly robes, stained hU
faco brown with dirt, went to the shore
whero the canoes wero lying, entered ono
of them, nnd paddled out to sea in the
direction in which ho had seen the ship.
He paddled fur hours with all bis si leng
th, and had gono so far that the liht of
island could uot be seen, and yet no ship
had been found; and now Iho wind was
rising nod a storm was threatening.
Oh, God! Am I forsaken?" ho criel,
iu an awiul anguish, seized with a leur
thai the wind would take Iho ship fruci
Mm. "Must I perish here?"
At that moment when hojio was dying,
he beheld n sigl't that turned ull his wild
wee into yet wilder ecstasy.
There, to the northward, was the ship,
standing directly towards bim. with ail
sails set to catch tho rising brorze, and nut
half a mile away.
"Yes, thero she is." bo shouted. "Situ
is coming this way. I am saved saved !"
llu raised bis aims to hea.-en in a mute
thanks'iving and soiled aloud, the clad
creeks.
The ship came neurer and nearer.
Ho redoubled his wild shouts, his bnr.rt
an I soul in his voice.
An answering cry camo suddenly Irom
tho ship's deck, und she drew steadily near
er swerved Irom ber course slightly, and
a rope was thrown from ber deck, lulling
into his canoe.
Ha seized the rope in desperateo:i"crness,
and a gioupe of sailors leaning over lh.
sliip'ssido drew him aboard.
Inun Instant more the ship bad resumed
hor course, and was moving in stately fash
ion before the breeze.
"Safe at last!" murmcrod Lester, lean
lug against the bullwurks, weak and nerve
less ns an Infant. "Oh, tho gladness of
of this hour!"
Poor man! He did not dream at that
moment that his adverse late was even then
relentlessly closing around htm; that bo
was on ono of bis own ships tbe Cyclone;
that that ship was commanded by a bitter
foe In league with Colonel Nichols, who, on
recognizing him, would without remorse
consign him again to the mercioi of tho
l'aeitio in his Indian canoo.
On inquiry, Lester learned that the
vessel was the Cyclone, and in tbe light of
tho cabin lamp recognized her Captain.
Tearing off bis priestly robe, and wipiDg
the stanefroin bis lace with its courso tulds,
ho exclaimed:
"Captain Sales, don't you know me?"
"David Lester!" cried tho Captain, turn
ing ashy pale, nnd grasping bis stationary
Si'ut as though bo bad reoeived a shock.
Lester wiped bis brows and sat down,
the Captain taking a seat opposite him.
lie bad so much to ask, that bis emotions
choked bis uterance, and prevented him
fiom observing tbe look ot deadly hatied
with which the Captain regarded him.
lint he dually plied bis questions fast, and
learned that bis wife yet lived, that bis
daughter Amy bad grown into a lovely
girl, nnd that both wife and daughter bad
long mourned biro as (load. Ho also learn
ed of his wife's poverty.
"Colonol Nichols sottled up the firm
affairs," said tho Captain, reservedly, "and
there was nothing left for Mrs. Lester. She
has boen living on his bounty these two or
inreo years l w ben vour Interest in
ship was sold, I bought it. Tbe Colonel
owns the other halt !"
i "But this Is a base fraud!" exclaimed
Lester. "The Colonel bus been untrue to
the trust I reposed in bim I I have bad
suspicions of this integrity during my long
exile, but I have never entertained them.
I'll make matters straight on my return.
I can provo my claims and bring him to
justice tho dastardly villain! My poor
Margaret!" and he groaned.
Lester's threat concerning Nichols seemed
to stir up tlio malice of tho Captain's na
ture. Ho beheld his interest in the ship,
fraudulently acquired, threatened, and ho
hated still more the lawful owner whoso
right iu the Cyclone be bad usurped.
"If report speaks truly," ho said. "Mrs.
'! -If