The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-08-06

Il don't know, but, somehow,
feel very uneasy about it, and woulC
much rather YOU belonged to som,
other boat. have seen Barkton, ey
er since your difficulty with him, lool
at you in a way that shows that ht
would injure YOU if he could"
You are mistaken The man has
his faults, but | don't think be would
hold grudge in that way"
1T is hard to tell" said Marian
shaking her pretty head. Promise
me that you will getremoycd to some
other boat"
" cannot promise YOU that" be
answered. Il have given my word
to act as harpOoner for the first mate
and il would not, therefore, he right
for me to do otherwise"
Marion sighed, but said no more
Somehow she was unable to sleep
that night.
Next morning the cry of There
blows! y proclaimed that whales were
sighted
In a moment all was hurry and ex.
citement aboard. \ school of bow.
head whales were seen about three
miles of.
Call all hands Clear away the
boats J" screamed the captain.
Marion had come on deck. Pale
as lilly she stood, watching the
boats as they descended, splashing,
into the water.
Lookout for yourself she said.
in low tone to Wren, as he went
past her to get into the larboard boat.
The young man merely smiled.
The next moment the boats were put
ting away from the ship, which Law
with her main yard hauled aback. as
is usual. in such cases.
The 0eats pulled until thev were
out Of sight of the vessel, which by
this time, the wind having died
away, was becalmed. Hours passed
and still no sign of them was seen.
Marian was pale with anxiety.
Even the captain, who on this occa-
sion had not lowered, walked his
quarterback uneasily.
What cA-have become of them. -
said Marian, walking over TO the
captain and layipg a hand on his
arm.
Il don't know. it really does look
strange"
Another hour passed Still no sign
of the boats.
The sun was now low in the boxi-
zon, evening was throwing long
pointed shadows upon the sea from
the numerous bergs floating past the
vessel. Upon some of these bergs
the shining seal crawling would lift
its unearthly eyes TO Marian's face.
as il in sympathy with her feelings.
- Tears were now gathering in her
brown orbs. Her bosom heaved, and
she could scarcely repress her sobs.
Heaven help him wherever he
may be-" she muttered.
Time passed; gloomy shadows
gathered; the stars came out-the
moon rose-a cold, clear night,
Still the captain paced his quarter
deck with sharp look-outs posted all
over the vessel, and still poor Mari
an, sitting her sobs, leaned over the
quarter-rail Suddenly she fancied
she saw black speck upon the wa
ter through a vista among the ice
bergs.
She notified the captain, who soon
bad bis night-glass leveled.
He dropped the glass and turned
pale.
" For heavens sake.'' .asped Ma
risE, what do YOU see -
\ boat with one man in it,''
Only one ?"
"Ay, ay, niece, that is all -
The ship was headed for the boat,
which soon came along side.
Mr.. Barkton, cold and shivering,
his garb covered with icicles, stepped
aboard.
"Well?" said the captain, impa-
tiently.
For Heavens sake, little rum
first" said Barkton, turning pale, and
stunning Marian's gaze
The captain having called to the
steward to furnish the rum the mate
was soon gratifed
Well" be said, after drinking
deep draughts of the hot liquor, I'VE
pulled after them whales, do YOU see.
but they led Us on a sort of a wild
goose chase until near night, when
the second mate got fast, and all the
other boats followed him and | was
the only one left to follow the other
whales. If those fellows havn't come
aboard yet | suppose it is because
they are waiting for the turn Of the
current to tow the whale TO the ship"
The captains eyes frightened.
That isn't SO bad, Mr.. Barkton,
upon my word said the skipper,
joyfully rubbing his hands.
The mate showed no joy. His
whole face was pinehed and wrin-
kled, as if with some troublesome
thought, and he kept pouring the
rum down his throat.
For Heavens sake, stop" said
the captain, cor YOU will be as drunk
as fiddler"
He pulled the bottle from the
mates hand.
You are afraid Of your liquor.
You begrudge it," screamed the
mate Il must have more"
Let that be my answer" cried
the captain, throwing the bottle over
board. But what ails you, man ?
You look pale, and how you tremble "
Where is hey Where is William
Wren?" asked Marian. her eyes
burning on the mate ike Goals of
fire.
"Ay, and all the rest of your
crew." chimed in the captain.
Il will tell you,- said the mate,
knitting his brows yet more closely.
q You see we got fast at dark to q
whale. Our boat was dragged along
through the ice. Suddenly it went
over SO far that all the men in it ex-
cept myself and the youth, Tom Cut
tie, who pulled the bow oar, were
spilled out upon the ice
As was anxious to secure the