The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-01

1dl3Of. onc even cFlHCcu greater pleasure
for Bercsfords society, in the secret hope
that this might spur the others manhood
In vain, however Talbot grew sad, and
respectfully Withdrew his attentions The
change brought melancholy to her also, for
she had learned to take pleasure in the So
ricty of the mate. and felt its absence to be a
loss.
Once. at the table, Beresford addressed a
remark to Talbot of more than usual severi-
ty.
Miss Trayers rose.
"For shame!'' said she ''If Mr.. Talbot
has not the spirit to resent this, will not
countenancc itby my presence. These scenes
are painful to me, and I will witness them
no more She turned to go.
Talbot sprang to his feet. His face was
pale, and his eyes blazed with excitement.
II am no coward; | entreat you to stay
Miss Travers. I am bound by a solemn
premise not to raise my hand against any
| will break all VOWS, and this very moment
will hurl this puppy overheard"
''Bravon' cried Mr. Travers, who had
been bursting with rage and contempt tor
Talbot's pusillanimity. ''Bravo! say, Nell,
give the fellow the word, and let him pay off
old scores'
mo, no. gentlemen, no violence !" said
Miss Travers, resuming her seat. But
hope, at least, that you will see the proprie-
ty OF transferring these scenes elsewhere"
''1hrow me overheard, ha hap cried
Bereslord "It's fortunate for me that you
made that promise Pray, to whom did you
make il ?"
"To my dying mother said Talbot, with
deep solemnity.
"Your mother" sneered Beresford. ''Poor,
al,
Of business Pr
commanding tones ''Come-at once" And
Beresford obeyed mechanically.
"Now sir" said Talbot, when they had
reached the deck, ''this must be stopped.
The moment we reach port you and | will
wash out our account in blood Meanwhile,
if you utter another word Of this kind will
put you in ironS and take the consequences.
Remember, | am master here, and you are in
my power"
Beresiord turned without word and re
entered the cabin. He related there what
had occurred.
'IIc'll do it," said the captain. 'Hes a
wonderfully determined man, is Talbot
Don't veX him, sir"
you'd better stop, Bercsiord, or you'll
get into trouble" said Travers coolly. "If
you make the man desperate he'll have you
in irons in a litfy, and run the risk
The result was that Beresford thought it
best to stop the most violent part Of his per-
secution, and confine himself solely to hints.
But Mr.. Talbot kept out Of the way as much
as possible, and sat at the table no more.
''IIe's q rank coward" said Mr.. Trayers,
'that's clear-an internal coward"
But Helen Travers thought differently In
his eyes that were so quick to blaze forth at
every insult, she saw other signs than fear
and in his strong command over his feelings
that restrained them 50 et1ectually she saw
the proof OF u mi ghtv soul. Now her thoughts
tnrned to him constantly; and while She no
longer saw him near her, She remembered all
his acts and words of devotion, Was it pos
sible that such q frank and joyous and brave
spirit rs he once showed himself to be could
be the base thing which Beresford asserted ?
A thousand times no. If there were coward
ice il belonged to the other, who was 50
ready to perSccute the man who would not
resist.
Thus the days and weeks passed on. Miss
Trayers kept more to herself, and passed the
time i'll reading and in thought. From her
iavorite station on the quarterback she could
see Talbot among the men, who obeyed his
slightest nod, and sprang to their duties at
every sound Of his clear voice. The captain
seemed to be fit for nothing but sitting amia-
bly, at the head Of the cabin table. Talbot
was everything-the life and soul of the ship.
He would have been captain himself, it was
said, had not his superior officer been 4 rela-
tive of the owner of the Arethusa.
At last a day occurred which proved TO be
Il memorable and eventful one in the lives of
all the passengers.
They were approaching the Straits OF
/ al, Al. n
cd by all navigators in these seas as the
tavorite lurking place Of a great Malay pi-
rate, Tomawa.
Some hints to this effect We're dropped
among the passengers, with the request that
they should not on any account say anything
to Miss TraverS about it, since it would
alarm her.
To the surprise of all, Beresforl mention
ed this very thing to Miss Travors the next
time they met. His only motive seemed to
be a desire to glority himself, since he made
use OF the fact of the danger before them to
to promise what he personally would do
when the dreaded pirate made his appear
ance.
That very day the ship was becalmed, and
Miss 1r;lvers, on coming out to the quarter
deck about midday, noticed the captain and
mate anXiously looking out over the sea
Ihefc was u SlraIpe SAIL there. ~ WIS l.
Malay proa
What a singular shp.' said she 10 Tai
bot. ''Is it Chinese lunk?"
s'No,' said Talbot at is q Malay"
ga Malay! Is it the pirate?" said she,
turning pale.
Il hope not" said Talbot, earnestly.
For my part" said Beresford, in an az
dent tone, 81 hope it may be- since it will
Give me a chance to show what can do for
you"
Talbot turned away abruptly, and again
examined the vessel through his y-glass.
He whispered a few hurried words to the
captain; the latter nodded and he hurried
forward.
The Arethusa had a crew OF about forty
men, and two small guns She had also q
supply of arms for the men in case Of attack
Miss Travcrs saw preparations going on for
ward which seemed to promise u fight. The
idea terrified her She shuddered at the
thought of strife and blood,
The Malay proa was moving steadily
toward them, forced on by long sweeps
which the crew were working. The men Of
the Arethus;l saw all this, and at the COM
mand of Talbot they prepared the two guns,
loaded their muskets and pistols, and strap
ped on their swords About as grim front
as may we'll be conceived was presented by
those forty stalwart seamen as they awaited
the pirates. The preparations We're at length