A Modern Pirate

THINK, friends," exclairaed Patrick Cassidy, the most prominent of the ; passengers assembied in the forecabin of the Silver Dream - "I think, ] friends, that assortment should last us the voyage;" and he indicated a largue box whieh eaeh had contributed toward with jams, sardines, and other preserves not supplied by the ship. A hearty assentgreeted the remark, but as loud cheerinsf indicated the ship's departure, the box was locked, the key being handed to the speaker, and all hastened to bid farewell to friends they might never ag-ain behold. A brisk fair wind soon carried the Silver Dream clear of land, and all soug-ht relief in the g-enerous pastime of "feeding the fishes." Here ag-ain Patrick Cassidy beeame prominent. With hands clasping that part of his frame lying beneath his heart and with the g-low of health replaeed by tints of a decided green, he presently ceased the disinterested toil and sank on a seat. "What is the matter?" I inquired. "Sure, I think it's the measles, " he replied, faintly; "for 'twas bad in Macroom when I left. An- an hour ago I was as hearty as yourself, this minute; but now my little stummick is like a chair at Tim Dooley's auction - 'tis goin', goin', and will soon be gone entirely. What will I take for it?" "I would not buy, nor have it as a gift." "Och, I didn't mean that, but something to ease the earthquake inside o' me," said he dolefully. "Try a fat mutton chop," I said. He suddenly bent doublé. A violent inward commotion was accompanied by an Irish fantasia on howls, and imploring the steward's assistance, he rushed to the rail. For the of a week all were in like condition, and then they met at the breakfast table, eager to enjoy the fruits of their forethought. With a flourish of the key Cassidy opened the box that contaiaed the longed-for delicacies, and, behold! it was as void as a newly grave. Indeed, it proved the tomb of many a keen regret, since the vanished contents were recovered. That breakfast was a dismal failure. Poor Pat was horror stricken, and vehemently declared his innocence, but suspicious g-lances were leveled upon the one whom all had so trusted, until, in a fit of desperation, he declared that the vital fluid of those who even thought him guilty would adore "the lid of the ship." The robbery was instantly reported, but all efforts to recover the property proved useless; and, indeed, the incident was soon forgotten in the anxiety of inuch greater losses. One morning young O'Grady rushed from his room, and doclared that a fine revolver had disappeared during the night. Simultaneouslv, the charming Miss Magrath deplored the loss of her diamond ear-rings and gold brooch, while a third victim was minus a valuable gold watch and chain. It was clear that an expert thief was on board, since even the saloon "Wil AT WBBB Y OU DOING DOWN BBLOW?" bad been visited, and one family in the steerage reported the loss of some 880. A secret watch was kept upon the movements of the sailors; but just before crossing the line the third robbery was eiïected, and this time in the very fok'sle itself. "I say, Bill, you been to my che&t last wateh?" a shellback inquired of liis chura. "No, Jack; lost anything?" "Two pounds o' 'baccy," was the answer, rnd the man heaved a deep sigh, attesting the greatness of the calamity. Sailor Bill at once overhauled his own olotlies-chest, and a torrent of strong language indieated that his tobáceo was also goaa. In short, every motuer's son in the fok'sle had just the same ditty to sing-, and who the thief couli ue seemed past discovering-, No part of the ship appeared safe from the mysterious thief, for the people were soon ayain thrown into a state of exciteroent vvlien the purser reported the lois of wine, boer and spirits from the tore-room. Tlms matters stood, nono knowingwhen or rherè the next theft migin occur, until oue niglit I was aroused by a blow deliverei through the open window beside my bunk. llurrying on deck to aajertain the eau., I found onj of the ship's toy in the clutches of Patrick Cassidy "What weie you doing down below?" the latter inquired, sharply. "Wat j-er mean?" demanded the youth. "You have been down there," the other returned, and pointed to a large iron ventilator, in which a rope was hanging-, that would give to a nirable burglar easy access to the lower decks. "You have been down i there and have stolen something." "Search me," cried the boy, wlio turned out his pockets as a proof of his innocence. "It was you ivho put the rope there," he added, emphatically; "] saw you." For a space the accused stood rigid, a look of mingled passion and alarm overspreading his countenance. Then, by a swift, yet stinging slap upon the ear, he sent the youth staggering across the deck, "Take that, you rascal!" he said. But the boy still inaintained the truth of his assertion, and furthermore stated that Cassidy had thrown soinething into my bunk. Upon searcluny the bod a canvas bag was found, and I knew instinctively that a clew to the robberies had been obtained. I sent for the mate and in his presenoe the contents were turnod out, and the brooch and diamond earrings, the money stolen from the steerage, with the gold watch and chain, and the trinkets missed from the saloon, lay before us. The revolver, tobáceo and spirits shared the f ate of the missing preserves, as they were never recovered. Next morning the property was returned to the rightful owners, but a searehing examination of both prisoners failed to deteet the criminal, since both stoutly asserted their innocence, and ivitnesses were not obtainable. But the sailors speedily settled the matter to their own satisfaction. Rightly or wrongly, they declared the boy was guilty, since Cassidy had never been known to enter the fok'sle. They seized the youth, and, to an accompaniment of fast-falling ropes' ends, he was waltzed fore and aft. He was expelled from the fok'sle, and during the remainder of the voyage boarded and lodged beneath one of the long boats. Cassidy had to leave the fore-cabin, and took up his quarters in the steerage. Who committed the crimes no one could say, but from that dy forth the ship was relieved from further anxiety. In due eourse the Silver Dream dropped anchor in thje spacious Moreton bay, Queensland. The last batch of passengers had passed into the steamer that would bear them up the beautiful river that led toward Brisbane. Amid ringing cheers the boat moved slowly away, when the boy suddenly mounted our rail and leaped upon har box. "Come back!" I shouted. "Never. I have been disgraeed," he answered, and stood defiantly shaking his sruall fist as if desiring to annihilate the whole ship's company. Shortly before our departure the boy was captured red-handed in robbing an up-town store, and, wishing to ascertain what part he had played in robbing the ship, I obtained leave to enter the jail and see him. "Is Cassidy guilty or innocent?: I inquired, and wishing to close the interview as speedily as possible. "Innocent," said he, recklessly. "He saw me getting out at the tilator, and knowing that I was discovered, I snatched up the bag-, which had previously been concealed behind some ropes close by, and dashed round the deck-house. Thinking that you were on deck I threw the into the bunk, hoping to recover it when the row was over." "Stay!" I said, scarcely able to restrain my ang-er. "I shall take your confession in writing-, and you can sign it." That he sullenly agreed to do, and after a time proceeded with his recital. "I will teach hira not to interfere again," he added. "I5ut now I am here, I don't mind telling you." "You have almost ruined the man," I said. "What became of the spirits, tobáceo and preserves?" "I sok! "em to the steerage," he replied, knowinglv. "The shooter fetched ten dollars." The character of Pat Cassidy was oleared by the signed confession I aore from the jail, and his gratitude "or mv exertions was as honest as ïimself. 01 the boy I ncver again heard, but subsequent inquiries proved that he lad several times been charged with robbery in San Francisco, and had finally been sent from a reformatory school to our sbip, in hope of giving ïim a new start in life. Cassidy married the charming Miss Majjrrath, and beeame a successful trailer in his nevv home; thus happily ending the mystfirious incidents vhich so nearly proved his ruin on oai-d the Silver Dream.