THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE OHIO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 13 February 1904, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE OHIO.

By " Kokau."

A THRILLING ROMANCE OF ADVENTURE.

CHAPTER VTH. HATRED. ■•I am afraid of the engineer doi D g Vr Ooodwin an injury," said Mary, ffrer =he had i nformed her father of the scene in the saloon: "he looked so * -There is not murh fear of that, my Hear Goodwin not quarrelsome, and, wides he is the stronger man."' -'-But 1 don't think Mr Pyke would _. oo at any crime, he hares him so. -, -Well he has not pone further than so far. I should advise your not to him.' , ■■Oh yes. he ha?, father. Remember how he "tortured him in the stokerooru. i think we ought- to keep Mr Pyke out the saloon" altogether. He behaves j^ e a madman.'' -Tou masnify the danger, and ..hat • be rather a high-handed proceed- j ■ a rr He has not even threatened vio- | lence. much less attempted it. You had tetter stay in here to-night. The door can be locked, if you fear his forcing an -nuance. I expect the bo"s'n back tomorrow." . -Is there no tear ot the ship breakJ2JCT UPV' "Not unless the wind changes to the north. She seems to have settled firm!t down in the sand. There was no rater in the well when Goodwin tried it an hour ago. and I will ask him to do so again presently."' Prke made no attempt to enter the captain's cabin, nor did he interfere ■K-Ith Goodwin, though he would neither help him in the saloon nor go out to ring the bell, but just sat brooding at the table. At midnight Mary looked in and x=ked Goodwin to try the -well. He reported it dry. -Mr Pyke:"' called the captain, -while He door stood opeE; "will you please arrange to keep watch with Goodwin? One can go on from twelve to four, and. the other from four To eight." "Til keep the second watch.''" said the eajineer. gruffly. Goodwill sat in his cabin with the door bpen. goins out every five minutes to }ook round and ring the bell. He could cnlv keep awake with a great effort, and fearing to go off altogether, he paced up and down on the hnrriranedeck. Towards the end of his watch the kz suddenly lifted, and disclosed a Tracing moon, low in the sky, but- on Tunine his head towards the south he vas starteled by seeing the black peak ci i mountain, which seemed to hang right above "he ship, the lower slopes encompassed by a snow-white cloud of mist. This unexpected sight so enjajed his attention that it was some mkates before he cast his eyes down to tie sea level, wh- re he saw a sandy leach, interrupted by several black reefs, and it looked near and the sea appeared so calm ihit there would have teen no difficulty in landing from a boat. Id vain he searched "he shore for theirs. hut the sight of this sheltered hay gave 'n m hope that the boat"? crew had landed in safety, and if the weather cnly held clear till daylight they must tee tie Ohio. Goodwin was debating in his: mind xrietber he ought to carry this news io the captain at once, or wait till fhc ..endof his watch, when he heard a step oc the deck behind him. and, turning, encnpitered Mary. '"Look at the land!" he cried, pointing lo the mountain peak. She held her fesers to her lips. and. glancing round spprehenskely. whispered, "Don't speak so loud. I'm afraid of Mr Pyke hearing us. I came «p to warn you that he aeans mischief: he has been behaving b i very odd way all night, creeping in and out of the saloon and trying iatier's door/ "Fin not afraid of him." replied Goodwin, taking both her hands in his and looking down into her anxious face; fthe man's a coward." "Bnt that is all the more reason for tou to keep on your guard. I'm sure . ies mad. and you know how cunning insane people are. Promise to lock jour door and screw up the port when le ia on watch?" "Yes, I'll do that. What is the time? I must call him soon."' It was a quarter to four when I left tie cabin. I have not heard him moving fo the last hour: but 1 must go hack. it-*onld be dreadful if he caught us." 'It's no business of Pyke's what you Bβ!" said Goodwin, indignantly; '"but it-was awfully good of you to come and *»m mc. I am not afraid of anybody *hi!e you are near mc. Mary. You are ay » 'Hush, I hear his door opening." she *bspered, moving away from him, "go md ring the bell, it has not sounded ♦his half hour, that is partly what ™?ght mc up." and she concealed herE* behind a wind-shoot. Goodwin crossed the deck, and soon !*ked the night with a clamorous peal. jjiule in the'act, he was accosted by i?se. Is that the way you keep watch? lh e bell has not sounded once during we last half hour." ''There is no sign of the boat," reFfed Goodwin, determined to keep |k peace if possible. "See, the fog j_ a s luted, v ' e are quite close to the iJP 10 wa3 tha t I heard you talking bt as^eil Pyke, suspiciously. « it four o'clock?" said Goodwin, -lrl sely i ? noril, S tn <- question. Who was it?" repeated Pyke, and « Goodwin still refused to answer he «gan to look round the deck. "Ah! t?f. re .? he is > I thought I was not misKen.-' H e Qarted f onvar( j anc i seized Z~ roughly by the arm. "Come beH at once!" r J\ ou . le ave her alone!" shouted running to her aid. * land1and CUrSe - Pyke Sprang upon his -.' ' , and so unexpectedly, that he in bearing him to the deck, lake care! he has a knife!" shriekanlifT?'' aS she threw herself on his "i"«rea arm. inw Uow descendp d, but her timely pST'v* SaVed life for, and w Cheek ' i* struck the deck: C r ° r ; - P >" ke coul d again rate lus re Z^ m ° ff «*•*«»« &ad en tne engineeer, in a fed ffi Zy \- rushed at the ? irl ' who Good?., J"™ rour - d the deck. But *«*Thair i° 0( l W3S Up " and seizin S a luehl ' c brou ght it down with tretChed r - Vk? taSr S v c brute hurt ?™V he asked. Mary i n his arms> ttfte'itT throW awa y his knife-ser!

'•The man must be mad,"' cried Goodwin, pitching it overboard. "I didn't expect him to rush at mc like that." "I warned you that he would stirk at nothing to be revenged—have you killed him?" "No," replied Goodwin, "he is coming to."' •'Come away before he recovers he may have another knife." "Wait a bit: I'll get some cord. It isn't safe to have a madman loose on the ship." "Xo. no! don't attempt to bind him till the bo's'n comes back. See he is getting up," and she urged Goodwin towards the ladder. "We'll lock him out of the saloon, anyway," said Goodwin. He bolted the door, and then screwed up the three port holes which overlooked the maindeck. '"Now we must tell your father about Pyke." "Oh!" exclaimed Mary, with a sudden cry. "He has stabbed you; there is blood on your neck," and she turned hia face towards the light. "It is nothing, only a graze on my cheek." "Come into my father's cabin, I'll wash away the blood, and plaster it up." During the process, Captain Thornton, who had been alarmed by the commotion just over his head, was informed of Pyke's murderous assault, and their proximity to the land. He advised Goodwin not to go on deck again until daylight, as it might only lead to further encounters with Pyke. "You must have some sleep; I will make up a bed for you in the saloon," and Mary brought a pillow and blankets. "That is my business, Mary," whispered Good-win, standing behind her. He stretched out his arms and stayed her hands in the act of arranging his pillow. "No. you must do nothing more until to-morrow,"' she said, but. instead of trying to free her hands, she leant her head against his shoulder. "Yes. there is one thing I roust do," he whispered in her ear as his cheek pressed her waving hair, and he stooped to kiss her. ••Take care."' she murmured. But as Mary raised her face towards his, she glanced nervoGsly round. "Look there!"' she cried, starting from him, and pointing to the port-hole. Goodwin saw two-glittering eye^staring in. "It's that madman Pyke; I wish I had tied him up; we shall have no peace while he is at large-" ' : Oh: it gave mc such a dreadful fright," gaspe-d Mary. "What are you yoing to do?" '"Draw the curtains." This did not detain Goodwin a minute; and he advanced with outstretched arms to -wish Mary goodnight, when a bar of steel came crashing through the glass and struck the wall just opposite to where he had been standing. He dashed to the door, and his hand was on the bolt, when Mary flung her arms round him. "No, no, Charlie! You mustn't go out before daylight" "Let mc go! I must stop that mad- ; man."' but she only clung the tighter, and Captain Thornton's voice could be heard calling"Come into my fathers room; Pyke can't molest U3 there. See! he is trying to unscrew the port." Picking up the steel bar, Goodwin struck at the intruding arm; bat Pyke withdrew it too quickly. "I'll put a stop to his getting in that way," said Goodwin, and with the bar he turned all the screws until they were jammed far too tightly to be loosened from the outside: and then he helped Mary to carry the bedding into her fathers cabin. 1 hough Pyke could be heard wandering about the ship, he made no further attempt to force an entrance, and Goodwin, weary with incessant toil, wa-s soon asleep. Mary kept watch, for she was far too nervous and frightened to sleep; and soon after daylight she noticed that the wind began to rise, and drove the rain against the cabin port. "I don't like hearing the weather from that quarter," said Captain Thornton, for his port looked straight out to sc-a. "Have you heard nothing of the bo's'n? He ought to be back." "No, there hasn't been a sound on board during the last two hours. Shall I wake Mr Goodwin?" "Let the lad sleep; he had a long day yesterday, and may want all his strength to take you ashore if this breeze brings up a sea." "How could he get on shore?" "He"d have to swim." "But you can't swim wtt-h a broken. leg?" '_ "No, T must jusfc stay by the old Ohio whether I like it or not." "I'm sure he'd never leave you behind, father." "There would be no leaving behind. If a gale springs up, and there is every appearance of one, she would break up in a few hoirrs- and we would all go to the bottom together. No, he must get you ashore before it comes to that." "I would never go without you, father." said Mary, taking his hand in both of hers, while the tears filled her eyes*"l am getting an old man, my dear," he replied, caressing her. "It is no hardship for a sailor to die at his post; but it would make my last hours bitter to think that you were uselessly sacrificing yourself. You are young, with all your life before you; and besides, it would mean the death of Charlie —you see T have guessed your secret as well as Pyke. He is not the man to leave Hip woman he loves behind." Mary did not answer. But her colour rose as she stooped to kiss the kind face, and a tear wetted his cheekCHAPTER TX. CUNNING. The storm, as Captain Thornton had predicted, increased in violence, and the waves struck the Ohio so heavily that she began to work on the sand bank. At length one enormous roller lifted the huge vessel like a cork and threw her on her beam ends. Goodwin was flung to the floor, from which he staggered to his feet, biif-dazed by the rude awakening. "Take Mary on deck and get her ashore!" cried the captain, "we can't stand many buffets like that." [Before the young man could move &

step, another roller lifted the vessel and bumped her down so that they had to hold on for their lives. Then* for the space of ten minutes all was confusion. Books, sextants, and furniture broke from their lashings and were flung about the cabin, endangering the lives of the inmates. Great seas were neard pouring on the deck outside, and a terrible wash, followed by the sound of rushing water, that beat against the cabin door, and forced an entrance through every crevice, told them that the saloon bulkhead had been washed away. Mary knelt by her father's bunk, expecting each moment to be her last, and Good" win stood beside her, staving off the loose dunnage. The stout ship still held together, and when she gained a more upright position hope revived, and they thought that the worst was passed; but not for long; she presently began to strike more heavily than before, and it was now accompanied by a grinding noise. "She's on the rocks!" cried the captain. "You can hear the iron plates tearing." Then she was lifted until quite afloat, but came down with such a crash that all expected her to go to pieces. The next roller was heard deluging the decks, but it did not lift her. and she still held together. Thus passed several hours, during which the storm gradually abated, and so little water came on board that Goodwin at length ventured to open the door and look out. A scene of destruction met his gaze. The sea had burst into the saloon, having torn away the front, and such was the force of the invading ocean that everything had been washed out, even to the tables, chaire and benches. The lee bulwarks, together with many of the cabins on that side, were gone, and only a part of the hurricane deck remained. Goodwin examined the ship, and found Pyke in the iron wheel-house right aft. He was wet and miserable, and complained of hunger, but evinced none of the mad, revengeful spirit which he had shown during the previous night. Goodwin helped him to his cabin, and brought him a supply of biscuits. "I think his mad fit is past," he explained to the captain. "Don't trust him," said Mary, warning!}-. "I can still see that insane light in his eye." "There is nothing to fear at present; he hadn't sufficient strength to cross the deck;" and turning to the captain, he added. "The ship has been washed much further in; I think there will be no difficulty in getting ashore to-morrow." -What better off would you be there? This is one of those desert islands — Auckland or Bounty—to the south of New Zealand. We could only get seabirds to eat." "Aren't you afraid of the Ohio going to pieces?" '•No. that last storm threw her up so high, she might stop here for months. There would be no comfort in ca-mping on shore in this bitter climate." "Yes, father, I agree with you." said Mary, "besides, here we have, some protection against Pyke. but on shore we should be at his mercy." '•I didn't think of that." replied Goodwin. "Now we'll get something to cat." This was a matter of some difficulty, as the cook's galley had bee«i washed overboard, and it was late in the evening before the meal was finished and everything cleared away. ••fry the well, Goodwin; she seems to be settling down; I've not felt her move tor a long time." "Where are you going?" asked Pyke. accosting the young man on deck." •'To try the well." "I'll go with you," and he followed close behind. Goodwin felt uneasy, but did not like to object for fear of arousing his anger. He saw no weapon, and Pyke did not look like mischief as he shuffled painfully along the deck. The well showed six feet of water, at which discovery the engineer exhibited much concern;" but the captain said it wus only what he expected. At twelve o'clock it measured eight feet, and at four in the morning twelve. "It will be up to the deck 'to-mor-row!" exclaimed Goodwin, alarmed at this appalling increase. "I must contrive some kind of raft directly it is daylight." '•1 don't think there is any occasion to be alarmed," said Thornton reassuringly. "It is only the tide. You see, her "bottom has been torn out by the rocks, so that there is nothing 'to prevent the water flowing in and out." In this surmise the captain was quite correct, for when they looked out next morning, the water was so shallow that Pyke waded ashore, and Goodwin found only three feet in the well. "borne with mc and look for the boVn," shouted Pyke. 'The tide will not flow for an hour. , ' Goodwin was about to follow him, when Mary, who stood at his side surveying the desolate shore, whispered "No, not on any account. I fear that man far more when he is civil than when he is rough." "But he hasn't shown any madness during the last two days, and it will be far better to have Joe and his mates on board again." "No, you must not think of going. Don't stand so near mc, or you will make him jealous. Say you can't go to-day." Goodwin did so. and they watched his spare figure mount the sand dunes inland, and (presently disappear from view. "tvVhy 'a ne you so ;suspicious of Pyke?" asked Goodwin, approaching her. "Come down and help mc 'to get breakfast and 1 will tell you; but please don't walk so close, he may be watching us from behind a tuft of grass." "The biscuits are disappearing very fast," said Goodwin as he got the stores from his cupboard. "There were three bags yesterday. Did you take them? 1 ' "No, I haven't been to the cupboard." "Then Pyke must. I shall have to get up a supply." "Where are they kept?" "In the after hold." "Wait till Joe comes, you have enough for to-day." "Oh yes, for thiee days if Pyke leaves them alone. I wonder what, lie took them for-" "No good, you may be quite sure of that. Now, Charley, you must promise mc never io go anywhere alone with Mr Pvke. It was very rash to let him follow you to the well last night. 1 have known him far longer than you; he isn't to be trusted." "Why are you so afraid of my going with Pyke? he's as weak as a rat." "Never mind why," she answered, looking appealingly into his face. "Jus-t promise because I ask you. Never go away with him, and—and never go far from mc." "Of cotuse I'll promise that," he ans-

wered, taking her in his arms. "I never want to be further away from you than now, Mary/ and he kissed her. The breakfast was so long in appearing, that Captain Thornton grew quite impatient, and ha-d to call upon them to hasten. Notwithstanding their precarious situation, it was one of the happiest meals the two young people had ever sat down -to, so great was their absorption in each other and the relief at Pyke's absence. He did not return on board until the things had been cleared away, and brought no news of the boat's crew. Thus two more days passed, the engineer always going ashore at low tide, and remaining absent for two or three hours, searching for Joe —so he said. But Mary had her suspicions, because he always disappeared behind the same sand dune, and she never saw his figure upon the ridges further inland or along the beach. Goodwin took advantage of his absence on the third morning to renew his supply of biscuits. The hatch cover was a ponderous affair for one mm to lift; but, with the aid of a crow-bar, lie moved i-t far enough on one aide to reach the Jacob's ladder, down which he climbed; but the biscuits were not easily found in the dark, or dragged under the hatch. He had attached a line to the first bag, and put his foot on the Jacob's ladder, when a slight noise above attracted his notice, and looking up, he was horrified to see Pyke's face at the opening, blazing with malice. There was now no sign of apathy or weariness in his working countenance, and he seemed to possess the strength of ten men as he lifted the heavy cover back to its place, holding it up a moment to scream, "Ha, ha! \ ou'd come between mc and my wife, would you? Die and rot! There are plenty of biscuits and twelve feet of water in the hold, but the biscuits are dry and the water salt!" Goodwin mounted the ladder with frantic haste, shouting at the top of his voice for help, but the hatch closed with a crash before he had climbed half way, ami he heard Pyke drive the wedges home, then came the sound of dancing feet and peals of demoniacal laughter. He strained every muscle to raise 'the cover, but in vain. Next he groped round the hold in search of some imple- . tnent with which he could break his way out, but only encountered biscuit bags and hales of wool. Meanwhile, all unconscious of Pyke's cunning scheme of vengeance, Mary busied herself in tidying her father's room and making preparations for breakfast. Goodwill had told he: - that it would take a long time to hoist the biscuits up, and she exerted herself to have everything finished before his return, for she delighted in giving him pleasant surprises. She was not therefore much concerned when an hour elapsed without hi* appearance-. indeed, she had broorae no engrossed in having the table all ready that she did not pay much attention to the time. When the last finishing touch was completed she stood a moment to survey the result, and her eyes sought the clock. '"Half-past nine!" she exclaimed, in surprise. "I wonder what is keeping Charley?" and she made for the door. "Don't go out, Mary," cried her fatlier. "Call him." '"Charley! Charley!" she called. There was no answer, and could she have seen the cruel, mad face in the engineer's cabin, the sight would not have brought reassurance. "Ay, you may call "Charley' till you're hoarse." he muttered, hugging himself I with delight. '"It must l>e 'Philip' now." "Jf I was sure of Pyke being out of the way, I would go to help him; but he ought to hear mc cabling," said Mary, beginning to grow anxious at his prolonged absence. ""He couldn't hear you from the after hold.' , replied her father. "Not with this strong breeze blowing straight to him?" "No: but J wouldn't worry. He's very likely had a difficulty in getting the cover off and finding the biscuits." Mary waited another half-hour, and began to feel desperate, when she was startled by the approach of hasty footsteps and a wild cheer, but she did not recognise the voice. "That isn't Charley," she exclaimed, looking crnt of the door. '"Hurrah! Hurrah! Good news at last!" came the voice, and in a moment Pyke appeared on the maindeck . "I've found Joe and the boat's crew!" he shouted. •'Where?" cried Mary, eagerly. "A mile down the coast!" he replied, Mary hardly recognised the abject, cringing Pyke of yesterday in the gesticulating man before her. The excitement had quite transformed hire. '-Why did you not bring him with you?" she asked, a little suspicious of this extravagant behaviour. "They were on the other side of a creek. I sent Goodwin to help them across." "I didn't see Mr. Goodwin go ashore with you," said Mary, distrusting Pyke's word, for she remembered Charley's promise never to go alone with him. ''Why didn't you wait and all come together?" She still kept her hand on the door, for Pyke had drawn a step or two nearer. "I came on to tell you the good news, and to help get some food ready, they are starving." He advanced another step. "There are no biscuits; will you bring some?" "Yes, Mary; Goodwin left them by the mizzen hatchway. Aren't you pleased with the news, my dear; won't you give mc a kiss for it?" He made a sudden spring at her; but she was too quick for him, dashed the door in his face, and before he had time to turn the handle slid the bolt across. Pyke flung himself furiously against the barrier, but Mary turned the key. He then began to batter it with a heavy beam of timber, and the strong frame showed signs of giving way before the determined assault. "Give mc my pistols!" shouted the captain. "Quick! He'll be in directly." The beam crashed through one of the panels, and Pyke's evil face appeared at the opening. "Stand on one aide, Mary,- and levelling his revolver, Captain Thornton pulled the trigger. The explosion was followed by a sud- ■ den stillness. For a moment they thought Pyke was shot; but a curse •of baffled * rage, followed by cautious '■ footsteps, warned them that he had escaped. "You dare to approach that door, and '■ I'll shoot you like a dog!" shouted ■ Thornton, angrily. "Where is Goodwin?" ', "Ha, ha!" chuckled the madman; "he's feeding the rats. Why don't you . call him?" "Come, Mr Pyke, we've had enougn • of this," said the captain, adopting a 1 niore coHciT}a|itory| tone. "B}elp Goodwin to bring the biscuits, iwe've had no - breakfast yet."

"No, and you won't have a bite until Mary is my wife. She can't marry that snivelling stevard now, because he's dead—rotting and feeding the rats. Ha, ha! The bo's'n and his two mates are dead too, rotting and feeding the fishes. I saw their boat on the rocks a mile down the coast. It's no good saymg no', Mary; I'm master now and will starve you into submission." The captain called Mary to him. "We can do nothing with the maniac while his frenzy, lasts,"' he whispered in her ear. "Keep quite still so that we can hear what he does next; don't answer his taunts, it will only aggravate him." "He says Charley is dead,' , ansrwered Mary, in a choking voice. "I wouldn't place any reliance on what he says; not a minute ago, he told you that Charley was helping the bo's'n." "But why didn't Charley answer when I called?" "He would not be able to hear you.*' "He must have heard the pistol'shot Oh, Father! I fear that madman has killed him. I don't believe he ever went to look for Sandford; he just hr 2 behind a sandhill from which he watciied the vessel, and directly Charley want into the hold, he stole back and killed him, "Yes, that's what he meant by the rats," and Mary wrung her hands in despair. "Don't frighten yourself about the ravings of a lunatic, my dear. Charley will come back presently." "But he has been away more than two hours; he said he would come straight back, and promised mc that nothing should induce him to go with Pyke." "This is all an invention of Pyke's to take us off our guard. There are none so canning as madmen." Thus Captain Thornton talked with his daughter, assuming a confidencethat he did not feel in order "to reassure her. But as they sat hour after houn, hungry and in a miserable state of suspense, even he began to despair of Goodwin's return. (To be continued on Saturday next)..