The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-08-11 00:00:00

as
G. MANVILLE FENN.

411uthor of " Skip Ahoy," "Dutch, the .Diver," "The
'4'9ultdl3? Belle," 4.c., #c.

CHAPTER Vll.—(Continued).
"Look," said Deborah, pointing to the little group,
tauntingly—" look, girls! These are the women
who have no Bell-respect; they prefer to be the
slaves of the men."
"No, we don't," said two or three.
And then there was a short discussion, which
ended in their walking forward and joining the rest,
leaving Mary Dance standing alone, when a burst
of hisses ensued as Deborah pointed at her.
"See the ci eature! " she said. "Let her stay.
We'll teach her her place."
' "You brazen thing!" retorted Mary, angrily.
"Of course I shall stay. Do you suppose I offes
+43 nurse a sick man one minute, and follow you and
your mad notions the next ? If there is any woman
amongst you who calls herself my friend, let her
laugh at your:kmalieious remarks, and come and
stand by me."
At she spoke, Grace Monroe, who had shrunk into
the hatchway after the blow she had received from
Deborah's hand, now came forward slowly, with a
red mark across her cheek, and went and laid her
hand upon Mary's arm, but only to have it flung
round her directly; and the two girls stood alone,
proud and defiant, prepared for the storm of jeers
which they expected to fall upon their heads.
There was a sharp hiss, but one only, and it came
froms,Deborah Burrows. Of three hundred other
women, not one rfollowed the example, but stood
looking with admiration at the two brave girls; stand-
ing alone upon the deck.
But not with such admiration as made the cheek
Of Charles Helston flush, and V heart beat faster,
as he stood watching them a few moments.
Then ki_e stepped_ forward, and ankly held out his
hand. '
"Thank you, Mary Dance; thank you, Grace
Monroe," he said, quietly. "If it is to be war, lam
glad to have some friends on my side. I shall not
forget this."
Grace trembled, but she stood erect, with hr eyes
downcast, and let the young doctor take Mary's hand,
accompanying them to the cabin, where they were
soon afterwards in attendance upon Laurent, who
now began to show signs of returning animation, and
at length opened his eyes and stared round, smiled as
he recognised the faces, and then lay apparently try-
ing to collect his thought's.
.4 "Arm broken P" he said at last, in a feeble voice.
" Yee, ' said Holston, smiling ;; "but you are
coming round."
"My head pains me," said Laurent, and his brow
contracted, u he was silent for a moment or two.
"Ali, I recollect now—cutting away the masts."
"Yes, you were caught in the hamper," said
trelston ; but I would not talk more now. Try
and get a little sleep."
"One moment—where are we P—the ship P"
"Wrecked—ashore somewhere," said Holston,
quietly; "but in no immediate danger."
" Helston, get me right again—quickly," whis-
pered the injured man.
The doctor smiled, smoothed his pillow with all a
woman's care, and then closed his eyes by passing
his hand over them.
"Help me, then," he said, "by being quiet.
Mary Dance, open that window, and keep the cabin
cool • moisten his lips with water from time to time.
I shall be back soon. You had both better keep
within these cabins."
He took a telescope down from the side, and went
cot, to find the women busy about the deck under
the directions of Deborah Burrows.
The bedding from below was being spread in the
sun. Some were washing, others cleaning, and
others apparently snaking preparation for a better
meal.
As Helston walked forward there was a loud

shout, and a struggle in the midst of a crowd of
women, from whom Othello broke, to rush to
Relston's side.
"What de debble sah ! De women all go mad,
hsa ; and. order me 'bout till I no know what to do,
aal."
"Bring that black fellow back," cried Deborah
Burrows, in a voice of authority; "let him get on
With his cooking." -
In an instant Othello was surrounded by a dozen
of. the gills, and, half laughing, half angry, he was
hustle-. back to the wreck of his galley, to go on
Preparing for a big boil, gesticulating and remon-
strating the while.
"They'll be tired of it in a day or two. Row
absurd!" muttered Holston. And a smile crogsed
his lip, in spite of his annoyance, as muttering A
feminine mutiny," he adjusted the glass, and beg in
to scan the shore.
The day was now glorious, and but for the wreck
he might have imagined that he was by some para-
dise where storm could never come. For there be-

fore him, as he swept the shore, were limpid 'water;
golden sand, fringedvrith a rippling of silver spray;
bushes, bright with many-coloured flowers; waving
trees; hill and mountain, green and golden to their
summits; vale and ravine, with trickling streams of
water, and protection from the principal force of the
tempest by the bar which, as far as he could see, ran
right along the shore.
Habitations, or sign of natives? None that he
could make out. Not the slightest token of the
foot of man ever having pressed the shore. It was
a virgin land, as far as he coulif see; and, with a
bitter smile on his lip, as he asked himself was it an
island—and; this it appeared to be—he said, half
aloud
"Then we'll call it Virgin Island."
Wild beasts? Not a sign of any; but there seemed
to be plenty of gay-plumaged birds. And, as he
glanced down into the lagoon, where the ship lay
aground, bright-scaled fish flashed by in tile sun-
illumined waters.
lie walked to the stern, and stood on the corner
of the skylight, gazing intently through the glass in
every direction, to see nothing but the bright ligl
and dark shadows of an exquisitely beautiful shore;
and as he stood, closing his glass, he said, quietly,
half aloud—
"An island, without doubt; and no other land in
sight. The next thing will be to Fet ashore, explore
a hit, and climb that mountain with the glass ' • that
will decide the question of isle or mainland, and
Show me where to look for help.
"Good heavens!" he said‘again, "Is it to be a
Rai on Crusoe life, or is it a dream?
"so dream," he said, smiling, as a loud burst,of
chattering came from forward. "NV ell, I shall be
better off than Orme ; for I start with my black
Man Friday, and I shall have a companion. More
still, I can have a wife—lfl can win her !" he added,
gently.
He opened the glass again and swept the
horizon seaward, but not a sign Of land lay in that
direction; and he closed it again, saying, in aloud
voice—
" I am monarch of all 1 survey I "
When a hand was clapped heavily upon his
Shoulder, and a harsh voice said—
"lndeed, Mr. Doctor! I want a few words with
You." _ _

- -lie turned sharply round,:to stand face to face
With Deborah Burrows.

CHAPTER VIII.
TES DIOLARATION.

- - - - - -
Thssonan BURROWS, spinster, had come so suddenly
upon the doctor, and his thoughts bad been of such a
Peculiar nature, that he started back, half confused
'tad the woman stood smiling meaningly at him
" aon't [milli you win be monarch ot all you
survey, Mr. Doctr Helston," she said at last.
'I have no wish to be, Mrs. Burrows," said the
Young man, quietly. "I was only quoting the
'Words of the old poem about Alexander Selkirk."
, "And a good thing for zou, young man," said the
lady. "Now, look here, sir—l am a woman of few
'Words, and I tell you at once what decision we have
Come to."
"May I ask whom you mean by we ?" said Hei-
nen, quietly.
"The three hundred women who have been so
basely deserted by the men who had charge of them,
and were to have taken them in safety to their de-
etination."
"II see no use in arguing with you, Mrs. Bur-
OW," said Helston, coldly. "As to desertion, the
,eaptain lost his life for you, one mate lies seriously
Injured in your service, and I believe the other was
!IWept away. He was not a man to desert you; and
'I Your doctor, am here."
"I say," exclaimed Deborah, sharply, "that we
Were cruelly deserted."
And she accompanied her words with a stamp of
h 5 foot.
"As you will, madame' id Helston, quietly;
" and now "have my patieN; :a. see to."
" Stop here and listen i.e rue, young man; and
Dear in mind, if you please, that you are our doctor
and servant."
" Indeed ? " said llelston.
"Yes, you may sneer; but we have determined
now to act for oureelvtas. Behave yourself orderly,
I.lllcl you will be very little interfered with; but, in-
!erfere, sir, in any way—take upon yourself to con-
tol give orders, or to &A as you acted a short
timo back, and you will find this place too hot to
'telci you."
fr;„" Y good woman," said Helston, who was be-
ring to lose his temper, "I have no time to
isen to your nonsense."
th:‘ Nonsense I" half shrieked Deborah. "Mind
b AS, sir--i am master and leader hero, and I shall
°beyed. You will keep to your duties, and act
Viaen required; but I will be minded. Recollect
laease, there are three hundred women here, all
iworn to go with me, and you are perfectly helpless.
vinEtY be Ft woman, but I will show you that I am a
orrlan of decision."
" Then what do you mean to do ?" said Holston,
hirla contemptuously—" establish a female re-
14° je, with the banner of woman's rights floating
- ore your head ?"
c,ne
_ er away,fool I" said the woman viciously. "I
7_1'!!!-I have to show you that I have ways Of dealing
7,n...,5uch AS 7011'"
l'erilaPB it would be as Nyell, Mrs. Burrowe, for
' _

recollect,- sam tieiston, •• that! am a medical
man, and that I have had considerable experience in
the management of mad women."
"Mad women!' cried Deborah, half beside herself
with rage.
" Yes," said lielston, quietly, "I was four years
b.;lping in an insane ward."

Deborah set her teeth, and her hands clenched.
" Don't you try to resist me," she exclaimed,
through her set teeth, "or it will be the worse for
yea. I tell you I am master here, and ill be
e!,eved. Do you think lam to-be put down now by
tripling sent out, as you have keen, to the
digrace of the shipow,ers, who ought to have sent a
proper doctor? Ah, I'll be even with him yet."
These laA words were uttered as kelston walked
sharply past her, mid down into the cabin where
Laurent lay, with his eyes half closed, furtively
watching the two girls, who were busily putting the
place ;it order.
"A]:. doctor! "he said, feebly. "Come and tell
me all about how we are situated. I have hardly
got a word from my kind nurses."
" First of all," said Holston, smiling, "let's see
whether you can bear it."
An he felt his patient's pulse, ending by telling
him ho they were placed.
." 1. can form no idea of where we are," said Lau-
rent. "We must have been driven a long way out
of our course. Pray, set me on my legs again,
do or, and let me see to matters."
There seems to be no need,' said Helston,
" ,%-hat do you mean?"
:nly that Deborah Burrows has proclaimed a
republic, seized the ship, imprassed the crew, as re-
presented by 'Thello, the black cook; and as soon
as you are well, I suppose you will be a prisoner."
"Don't make fun of it, please, Mr. Holston," said
Mary Danc&; "it's quite dreaolful. She was hatch-
ing this up all the time we were shut below during
the storm; and because Miss Munroe and I held
back, she persecuted us shamefully."
"Well, never mind, my dear Miss Dance," said
Helston, smiling. "If this proves to be our
home, we four will set up an independent state,
and receive all the seceders, who will be many.
Take care of your patient, who is to talk no
more."

And he left the cabin, with a look at Grace
Monroe which brought the blood into her pale
cheeks.

CHAPTER IX.
FUNEREAL.
ON going forward amongst the busy women, Hol-
ston saw "Mello makea dash to get at him, but he
was prevented.
"About poor Mrs. Kent," said Helston to one of
the women. "When did she die ? "
"Wo sound her dead in her cot this morning,
&a.," said the woman, respectfu ly.
"Steps must be taken at once," said Helston.
" She must be got ashore, and buried this after-
noon."
" :Jill you lave the goodness to interfere, young
man, when you are called upon," said Deborah, who
had overheard his words; "and with what concerns
you P "
"This concerns me, madam," said Holston,
sharply. "It has to do with the health of those in
my charge. This climate is intensely hot."
"Mrs. Kent will be buried as at Bea," said De-
borah--" this afternoon."
" Certairily not," said. Helston, firmly; "I protest
against it."
"You protest! Andwhy?" eaclaimed the woman,
fiercely.
" nrstly, because we are not in deep water.
Secondly, look there 1."
He took her by the arm, and half thrust her to
the side, where, through an opening in the torn bul-
warks, he threw out a heavy block that had fallen
from the rigging, and it dropped into the limpid
water with a heavy arlash.
In an instant the water seemed to be alive, forat
least a dozen sharks darted for the spot, plunging
rapidly about, till, finding no work for their eager
teeth, they poised themselves a few feet below the
surface, and lay patiently watching for prey.
" he lagoon is alive. with these monsters, at-
tr ,eted by the wreck, and the bodies of the men
who so basely forsook you," said Helston, quietly.
"Now, had we not better see about making a raft
upon which we can get ashore ? "
DAorah shuddered; but recovered herself at
one.
Yes," she said, sharply, "we will have one made,
an.l get ashore."
' And don't say a word about what you have
seen,' said Helston, maliciously, " or not one of your
stroeg-ininded women will venture upon the raft
when it is made."
Peborah looked daggers at him, but she saw the
force of the argument, and no mention of the sharks
was made.
It was no slight task, this making of a raft that
would hear half a dozen people in safety to the
shore but Helston sot to with a will, after partak-
ing of the ample meal 'Thello had provided, and
badly it was wanted. With the black's help, some
spare spars were cut loose from their lashings, tools
were obtained from the carpenter's locker, and by
spiking and lashing a strong framework was made,
on which hatches were nailed across and across,
while openings were left ready for sinking in a
couple of large water casks, and securing them, to
give buoyancy to the structure as soon as it was
launched.
By evening this was successfully done, the raft,
secured by a rope, being, by the force of many
willing hands, thrust over the side, to fall with a
mighty splash. Then the casks were fastened in
their places by Holston and the black, and a good,
buoyant raft lay ready.
"Now," said Helston good-humouredly, as he
stood ready with an oar in his hand, "shall we two
act as pioneers, or is it to be women's work?"
"I'll go," said Deborah, and she descended
boldly, to stand beside them, taking an oar in
hand; and they pushed off, to find landing very
easy, and at the end of an hour a shallow grave was
dug in the sand, and they returned to the ship.
rhe sun was ready to dip Deneath the crimson
wave as, with their solemn burden, the raft once
more 4-r.--.ded on the sand. Then, as it sank, the
body was laid in its last resting•place, and covered
with a sun-dried sand. A few short prayers had
been said, and across the smooth water of the lagoon
the side of the ship was white with faces, from
whi, h floated a low, hushed murmur.
Then, without a word, the funeral party once more
embarked, and, with darkness rapidly falling, the
great mellow stare coming out one by one overhead,
and the foam that had been like silver all day, now
golden with the same wondrous phosphorescence
that made the water splash like lambent waves of
fire as they dipped their oars, the raft once more was
pushed off for the ship.
Not a word was spoken ; but Deborah Burrows sat
gazing keenly from side to side, as ever and again,
disturbed by the dipping oars, some fish darted away,
leaving a line of fire low down beneath them, till
they reached the ship, climbed on board, and, after
the raft had been secured, sat wearily down, sad-
dened and silent with the duty they had performed,
and wondering Lat the magnificence of the stars that
burned above.!

(To be costinueel).