Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-09-20

alone, L could notln any way protect her.
In this difficulty Lotus came to my aid /.
He would guard the lone girl far better
than l, and his dislike to Capt Darcy
was stronger even than mine.
And so l contrived that Jennie and
LOTUS should become great friends. She
was the ,kiudest and gentlest little soul
that ever lived, and the dog learned to
love her more than he ever did any hu-
man being. Lofty never had mistress,
the Makewake was his mistress, and he
chung to the ship through all her changes
Of crew, officers, and owners. But to
Jennie he seemed to attach himself as
dogs usually do to their owners, or even
more closely. After fairly understand
ing that she must be watched and pro-
tected, he hardly left her an hour in the
day, and slept before her door at night.
BY the time was able to go about a
little-and out on deck when the sun was
not TOO warm-Jennie Archer had quite
won my heart, and | was much hurt to
find that she grew more reserved as health
returned to me; the little womanly min
istrations, which had been SO grateful,
were gradually discontinued. Yet we
were very friendly, and being the only
idlers in the after part of the ship, we
were with each other great deal Our
long pleasant evenings on deck and morn
ing readings in the cabin, were the hap
piest hours | had ever known. But
did not believe that | was making any
progress in her affections that is, | did
not think that she would ever care for me
as did for hera I was pleased to see,
however, that the Captains attempts tc
be agreeable were quietly but decidedly
repulsed. He saw it, too, after while,
and his hateful disposition thereafter be-
gan to show itself. He prosecuted poor
Jennie without mercy, whenever he
could find an opportunity, and though
LOTUS and | were seldom off duty, he
yet contrived to make her suffer from his
spite in thousand ways. Her simple
dignity and answering faith in herself
during these trials made me love her
very dearly She never complained to
me at all; not even when found her,
one time, weeping, heart-broken, and
frightened, with little bits of note from
him scattered over the floor.
Captain Darcy made no secret of his
rage and vengeful temper he seemed tc
consider that be owed defeat to me, and
hated me accordingly. " You think
yourself id smart" he would. say
but I'll show you I'm net the man to
be banked by any such whelps as you
and that dog. You may do your d-est,
but I'll master her yet, and then l will
settle with you, young man."
didn't mind his threats much, know
ing him to be cowardly, like other mean
souls but | kept closer watch than ever
over Jennie, and fed Lotus with my own
hand, to which care think he owes his
life.
On the thirty-ffth day out we we're of
the Banks, and about noon | went up
with Capt Darcy to take the sun. LOT
ty assisted in the observation, as he al
ways did with the utmost gravity, and
Miss Archer added her smile to the
brightness Of the hour, happy-thoughi
Ito know our voyage was so nearly
done. While working up my calcula.
tons ! noticed the Captain hastily dc
scending the cabin gangway. thought
1t odd he did not wait for the result, and
directly I was further surprised to fine
that Lotus had also disappeared
didn't think much about it all, though
| was alone with her for, perhaps, the
last time, and fingered good while
before going below to make my entry in
the log. 1t seemed to me that she had
never looked so kindly upon me as then,
and | came very near telling her how
dearly | had learned to prize her favor
and asking that it might be mine forever
But felt as though that would be taking
a certain advantage Of her needing pro-
tector, and in some sort presuming upon
the claim | might be supposed to have
SO the words which trembled on my
tongue were not spoken. l Afterwards
wished they had been.
Entering the cabin at last, we were
startled by sounds Of strife, evident
struggling, fierce growls, and storm Of
curses. For the first time Jennie's cour-
age gave way; yet even then she seemed
more hurt than afraid, as she leaned
against me, sobbing, ooh, Heaven he
is in my room !"
And so indeed it was Crouched down
in one corner--a pitable sight indeed
lay Capt Darcy with LOTUS teeth in his
throat. He still clutched the leather
belt which contained Jenuie's little for
tune, and in sailors bag at his feet
found everything else Of the least value
which she possessed in the world--even
the letters to her friends.
Lotus must have seen Indignation and
horror in my face, for he Immediately re-
newed his attack with the utmost fcroci-
ty, and it was by Jennie's best efforts he
was prevented from killing the wretch on
the instant-he wouldn't listen % me at
all. As it was, Capt. Darcy had to be
carried ashore when we arrived, and ]
remember they used the very same cot
that I was brought aboard in. During
the fever which followed he was dclirious
part Of the time, and had gathered from
his wild talk that he had hoped, by re-
ducing Jennie to utter poverty, he could
make her dependent upon him and sub
missive to bis will.
Thanks to Lotus, the robber was caught
in the act, and half onvied the dog his
reward Of fond gratitude. He accompa-
MED her to Brooklyn, when her friends