The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-11-27

lily through the night In the QlrectlOn OF
the distant land. And near this youth
stood the skipper of the schooner, whose
gaze had long been fixed in the same
direction. a-.
ibid I understand you to say, Denny
Breeze, that you expected to find old
acquaintance upon this island 2" asked
the commander, breaking a long and
attentive silence.
Eyes, Captain Morrison" replied
Denny Breeze, drawing nearer to bis
commander, so as to speak with more
of the freedom of confidence. II refer
to the Reverend Mr.. Fortescue aud his
daughter.
"They are old acquaintances, then p
Eyes, sir. They used to live in the
village where / was born, and their
house was always to me like second
home-the only home l have had, in
fact, since the death OF my mother"
"And the strange disappearance OF
your father, you should have added"
said Capt. Morrison, gravsly, as he pat
ted the youth affectionately upon the
shoulder. 1T is the strangest thing in
creation whatever became Of your father,
boy. And yet, in another sense, there
was nothing strange about it; it was
simply another case OF Lost at sea.
How many a life has endel to all
earthly ken with that brief announces
ment. But what is it that is going on
ashore to the west'ard of us?' he sd-
ded as a vast blaze illuminated the
horizon in that quarter. Looks like q
house afire."
Eyes, sir, it does," asserted Denny.
"And it 10 house afre," affirmed
Copt. Morrison, after long look
through his glass. And it's curious
that none OF the savsges who are run
ming about make the least effort to put
it out And now that l look again, it
seems to me that the burning house is
exactly in the direction O! the one Mr..
Fortescue occupied"
Denny Breeze turned pale at this
suggestion.
COB, l hope not, sir !" he exclaimed.
ut would be horrible if Ellie Forte.
scue should be in such trouble" said
Denny, after long look shoreward.
There seems IS be great deal Of
jumping and dancing in the neighbour
hood Of that fire, and not soul doing
anything as l can see towards putting
it out"
"Guess I'll go below now and get
bit OF sleep, Mr.. Buncle," said Captain
Morrison to his second mate. "Call me
if anything happens"
And with this the commander with.
drew.
He had scarcely gone when Mr.
Buncle, the second mate. approached
one Of the seamen under his charge end
said:
"Now ia our chance, Bill. If you'll
call Tom and the rest for'ard, we'll
coon arrive at some conclusion. My
opinion is that we had better give the
old tub the slip tonight"
"But the cap'n thinks as how the
savages may be at this blessed minute
killing of the missionaries on the
leland" demonstrated Bill, euergeti-
cally.
81 think we had better see Tom and
the rest, and make our escape immedi.
ately in the long boat while the old
man il snoozing."
Good Let's move at oncel
Halfhidden by sundry hamper at the
foot of the main shrouds, Denny Beeeze
mad listened to every word OF this con-
versation.
"a general desertion, eh p said Den
ny to himself as he saw the perfdlous
second mate becoming the centre OF
little knot of eager men forward. This
thing won't work, my fine fellows"
He lost no time in entering the cabin
and proceeding directly to the com"
mander's state room. The old sea dog
was Just in the act OF turning in"
why, what ails you, DennyT he
cried. You are pale"
"Perhaps l have reason to be. MI
Buncle and a good share Of the men
are Matching up a plot to leave the
schooner in the long boat and make
the island !!
What !-to-nightT
"Yes, sir-to-night. Now is our
time they say, while the old man is
sleeping
The commander slipped noiseleesly
fro M the cabin, and soon his voice was
heard upon the forecastle. The truth
was, he had waited unseen and silent
until the corspirators were about to re-
sort to the measure of getting out the
long boat, and then he had fallen upon
them with all the stern authority OF his
position and the still sterner authority
OF his character.
A few minutes only the din lasted,
and then the commander slipped back
TO the cabin.
~ We tixed them" he muttered, as he
rubbed his hands g!eefully together. u
waited till they were getting out the
boat, and then l went for them. You
can imagine how Buncle is cut up. Mr..
Skill is new in charge o. things. Here,
steward i
The steward Immediately responded
to the call. >,
Make me my usual favorite punch,
added the commander, land let us have
it while il is hot.
The stewart bowed understsndiugly,
aud set about obeying the order.
After remaining alone in the cabin
an hour or two, musing intently on all
he had seen 10 the direction Of the
island, Denny Breeze again took his
way to the deck, which seemed to him
singularly dark and deserted.
The wind had freshened notably. A
chopping ses had risen, aud the vessel
was laboring more than she had done
for several days preceding. The
heavens were nearly obscured By mist
OF impending ruin.
z"Ts il Won, Pete ~ asked q voice, as