Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-11-06
SAVED BY A SHARK,


tie dawn of my nautical career,
joined the ship Sultan, then nearly
new. The owners were old friends OF
my father, through whose influence
obtained the situation.
I had been married but short time
when the order arrived which forced
me to leave the arms of my fainting
bride and hurry to the city, where the
ship was in readiness to proceed to
sea. The captain came on board
when We were we'll down the bay. and
as he stepped over the rail the pilot
bade us farewell, and the last link that
bound us to our native land was
severed.
! felt a strange thrill, feeling of
disappointment, when recognized in
the captain an old schoolmate and
former lover of my wife's. I had dis
liked him from a boy in the village
and at school he had the name, char
acter and characteristics of bully.
He had tried in vain to win the hand
of Helen May, who had repulsed him
with a loathiDg that could scarcely be
concealed. It was said that he utter
ed threats of vengeance against us
both, when I had succeeded in captur-
ing the prize but 1 paid no attention
to the gossip, as never supposed that
our paths in life would bring us in con-
tact.
A deep, dark scowl rested on his
handsome, reckless features, as, ad-
vancing toward me, he said:
=" In what capacity are you aboard OF
this ship 2"
Supercargo, Capt. Watson.'
"Very we'll Jack Richmond, am
certain. Remember that fact perhaps
I shall have occasion to remind you OF
it before this voyage is over. I feel
that am in debt to you."
I knew what he was driving at, but
would not allow him to think for an in
slant that felt uncomfortable so. as.
suming q careless air, replied:
"Fate, Capt. Watson, has thrown us
together; it was none of my seeking, I
assure you; but I know my duty, and
shall discharge all the requirements of
my Office, looking to the owners of this
vessel, aud not to you, for appreciation.
AS for matters that are past and gone.
if you choose to treasure up hard feel
ings, of course 1 am not to blame. I
am competent to take care of myself.
and I neither care for your friendship
nor hatred"
BOLD words, jack Richmond, bold
words. Take care, or we'll have trouble
before our jackets arc wet with salt
water"
Ono, sir, 1 shall not quarrel"
ga wise conclusion"
1 could sec the devil lurking in the
depths of bis large dark eyes, but his
attention was called away by the mate,
For time he was pusy with the Sui.
tan, being anxious to gain an offing he.
fore night.
The manner in which he cursed the
men, raving and stamping around the
quarter deck, convinced me that nv
life on board the Sultan would be anv-
thing but pleasant. Had it been DOS
sible, ! would have cancelled nv en-
gagement and left the ship; but it was
too late, and the hills of nv country
were rapidly receding from view.
The voyage proceeded without anv
incident occurring worthy of note. un-
less it was the rounding of the cape,
and, favored with good winds together
with fair weather, tho Sultan bid fair
to make passage that would reflect
credit on all concerned. Capt. Watson
seldom addressed me except when ab-
solutely compelled, seeming e to avoid
and shun me, with which behavior I
w;.s secretly pleased, thinking that 80
long US VIC remained apart there was
but little possibility of our having any
trouble. 1 was watcllful and guarded
in all my actions, being convinced that
Watson only lacked the opportunity to
wreak vengeance and hate upon me.
The weather was warm aud sultry. SC
much so that was forced to move nv
desk from the state-room occupied &c
the cabin. was busy with my nc.
counts, papers, etc, never once dream
ing of giving oilensc, when u quick.
heavy step sounded behind me, ind the
next instant my desk WIS sent spinning
in one direction, while 1 was wlirle.1 it
another.
"Confound your impudcnce !" wcr,
the first words l heard as I gathered
myself up, and collected my scattered
senses. "Who gave you permission t,
, clutter up my cabin, turning it into u,
office? lam strongly tempted to kicl
you on deck, you sncnkihg. nnill
driving, good-for- nothing land crab.
found myself confronted by Wat