The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-01-04
CHAPTER I.
A FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.


A FATEFUL CATASTROPHE.
A wild storm was raging upon the
Mediterranean Sea, near the close of q
dreary November day, and sky and
waters were black with the gloom of the
sudden and furious tempest, before
which small sailing vessel was scud-
rigging proclaimed her Sandman. She
was The Gull Captain Varino master, on
her way from Cagliari to Palermo
She had on board two seamen, and two
passengers.
These passengers were Englishmen,
who had procured passage on The GuN
to Palermo, whence they intended to
embark by steamer to Marseilles, the
following day. ~
While the Captain and his assistants
were attending to their duties, and ex-
pressing gnpprehepsionsas to their safety,
thetwo Englishmen ssood apart, leaning
against the low bulwarks, and surveying
thaEild scene around them.
These mon were both young, appa-
rently of the same age, about three and
twenty, but evidently they were not of
the same station in life.
One, the more striking of tho two, was
aristocratic in his bearing, tall, slender
and handsome, with frank, smiling
mouth. pair of fearless blue eyes, set
under wide and massive forehead, and
towny hair blowing back from his face
Noble, generous and kind-hearted, he
had an adventurous disposition and a
dauntless courage.
he was Guy Tressilian, the only son
and heir of Sir Arthur Tressilian, Baro-
net. of Tressilian Court, England.
His companion presented remarka-
BILE resemblance to him, being also tall
and slender and fair, with tnwny hair
and moustache, but he had not the frank
smile, the bright, fearless look, or the
Joyous spirit that characterized young
Tressilian. Young ns he was, he had
seen much of the dark side of life, and
his experiences had been suoh as to
develop in him some of the worst auali-
ties Of his nature.
He was Jasper Lowder, Guy Tres
silian's hired travelling companion and
bosom friend.
The meeting and connection Of the
two had touch of romance. Young
Tressilian had spent four years in q
German University, whence he had
been graduated with honor. On leaving
the university, in obedience to his
fathers written command, he had un-
dertaken a tour Of the countries inclos-
ing the Mediterranean Sea, IN company
with one of his late tutors. This gen.
tlenan being unexpectedly promoted to
q pr6fessofship, abandoned Tressilian
Of Baden, leaving him TO find another
travelling companion.
On the evening of the very day after
this desertion, as Guy Tressilian was
saunteriDg through the streets of Baden,
he had been assaulted by a trio of bis
own Gountrymen, all more or less intoxi
Gated. 1t was apparent that they took
him for another, and intended to wreak
vengeance upon him. Without allowing
MIN 70 speak, they forced him to defend
himself. Guy was getting the worst Of
the conflict, when stranger came run
ming to his assistance, md in a few
moments the two bad pnt the ruffians to
flight.
This stranger who came no oppor-
tuuely to Guys assistance was Jasper
Ilowder. His resemblance to young
Tressilian awakened in the latter n ro.
mantle interest He questioned Low
der, learned that he was poor nnd alone
in the world, and took him with him to
his hotel. Believing that the similarity
Of features indicated similarity of tastes
and natures, he engaged Lowder as his
travelling companion. and the past year
they had spent together more like bro.
theirs than like employer and employed.
"This storm is regular Levanter," F."
said Lowder, clinging with both hands
90 the bulwarks. .sDo you think the
craft will stand it, Tressilian?"
"Oh, yes" answered young Tressilian,
wiping the salt spray from his face.