The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-01
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
THE sCHOoLFELLowS.
BY JoHN MAcKAY WILSON.

(CoHcLUDED.)
Il will not attempt to describe the feel
ings with which we gazed upon the body of
our unfortunate shipmate, and thought low
soon a still more dreadful doom might be
ours. Death, with all its accompaniments
Of starvation, drowning, &c, came before
US. All the horrible stories we had heard
of deaths at sea, Of misery, hunger and
cannibalism, came crowding upon our me-
mories. At last, the silence was broken
by Riley, who growled out
swell, there's one more gone to feed the
fishes It'll be our turn soon. However,
its some comfort be has left bis share Of the
grub behind: there'll be more for those
who remain.
could hardly restrain my anger at this
cold-blOOded speech but look from Emf
ly Neville checked me. Riley, however,
observed the impression bis words had made
upon me, and, with a diabolical sneer,
said
"You need not look so black about it.
don't care a button about your looks or
your anger either. One mans as good as
another now, and | won't obey you any
longer"
Riley" said l, starting forward, and
seizing him by the collar, while my voice
trembled with suppressed passion, "mark
my words AS long as one plank Of this
boat hangs to another. | am your officer,
and while there is life left in my body you
shall obey me"
The scoundrel was staggered by my firm
ness, and sat gloOmily down upon the
''thwau."
Riley had been one Of our black sheep on
board the Anne. | never liked the fellow.
He was always a skulking, discoDtented
vaeabond, ever foremost in mischief, and
alAGys striving to make his shipmates as
mutinous as himself l saw by his cloudy
brow, and his sullen, dogged manner, that
we must before long, come into collision
again, and determined to prepare for the
worst l threw all the firearms overheard,
except a single musket and brace of pis.
tolls, the latter of which ] loaded delibe
rately before his eyes.
''Come, said /, "the sun is long past
the meridian, let US pipe to dinner. Miss
Neville, serve out our allowance, if you
please"
While Riley received bis modicum Of
spirits, be growled out, Here's pretty
allowance for a hard-working man. Not d
stroke more will I pnll till | get more
rum"
'Not 4 drop more shall you have until
the regular time; you must be contented
with Just enough to keep soul and body to
gether, like your neigbbors; we must MOI
all be sacrificed for the qualification of your
greediness."
"Better die at once" said he, than die
by inches; a short life and a merry one fol
me $50 hand out the stuff at once, tol
have it | aoiU" And he made rush t
snatch the spirits from Miss Neville.
''Back, scoundrel - said |, cooking one
of nv pistols, ''or I'll blow your brains
out ~
The words were scarcely y out Of my mouth
when the rascal stopped, and snatching ;
cutlass which be had concealed in the bot
tom Of the boat, made cut at me with il
which, but for the tough rim Of my leather
hat, would have laid my skull open. AS i
was, l shall carry the scar to my grave
One touch Of the trigger, and Miss Neville
and were left in the boat alone. The bal
went through bis head, he staggered agains
the gunwale, toppled over, and sunk a
once, tinging the water with bis blood. Mis-
Neville was now obliged to act as docto
as well as purser. She washed my wound
and bound it up as well as she was able
Neither of us spoke; but fearful were th
thoughts that passed through my mind
The boat lay becalmed upon the water, 4
strength, wounded as | was, did little tow
ards forcing her onwards. Unless breez
|. sprung up, we must lie in utter helPlessnes
! and die a lingering death by starvation
Miss Neville read my thoughts, and stitiln
i her own fears, exerted herself to inspire m
with confidence.
''Fear not, Mr. Musgrave," said she; "tt
merciful Providence which has watched ov,
US hitherto, will protect us to the end. Y
terly helpless and hopeless as our situate
may appear at present, He ca" save U.S. az
He will.
Her words inspired me with renewed e
: ergy, and, with good deal of difficulty,