The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-11-26
AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT.

For an instant Denny Breeze believed that
his last hour mad come.
TO swim, encountered with all his clothes,
in such sea as was running, was impOSsi-
BILE
How, then, did Denny escape?
By the yeriest accident in the world.
At the moment he was lifted from the
deck, preliminary to his being hurled over
the bulwarks, his feet caught in portion of
the hamper tn which reference has been
made. One of his legs, in fact, became en-
tangled in the coils of sheet, in such way
as to hold him fast.
Upon reaching the water, therefore, he
was by no means clear of the schooner, as
his enemies supposed. To the contrary, be
remained attached to the vessel by rope
more than an inch in diameter, and perceived
that he was being towed gently. through the
water alongside, keeping pace with the
schooner.
The long-boat was already in the water.
The schooner had been left under such easy
sail, with a view to this desertion. that her
progress through the water was scarcely per-
ceptible.
isn't there any spoil aboard? ?" asked Bill
Maring, who had been chosen to stand next
to Buncle in charge of the expedition.
81 know there is specie aboard," said Bun
Gle, reaectively. "Bnt where the specie is
storedis beyond my knowledge"
''Pete ought to know all about that point"
suggested Marling, "since he is always in the
cabin.''
eyes, and I does, boss" said Pete, with a
grin of pleased Importance.
''Fetch it up, then, Immediately" COM
manded Buncle
In five minutes more the little band of de-
serters had stripped the schooner of its spe-
Gle, plate, linen, and other valua bles, with a
number of nautical Instruments, lanterns,
etc., and had pushe clear of the vessel,
standing toward the island.
Fortunately this departure took place upon
the side of the schooner opposite to that
from which our hero had been thrown oyer
board, and alongside of which he was lowed
gently through the water.
They've gone p he heard a voice excaim.
a few moments later.
"Help, there! he called
Where are you?'' was the response of the
voice which had h-fore spoken.
"Here-alongside-o the starboard side p
exclaimed our hero.
"Who are you%
"Mr. Breeze-the passenger"
Sundry CALCULATIONS of wonder succeeded,
blended with the hurried tranpling of feet,
and then the sheet which had rendered Den
ny such timely service was slowly drawn in
until he found himself able to grasp the bull
warks.
''That'll do" he called. sTm all r;obt
now. Where is Mr.. Skill?''
"Coming to himself, sir, but not vet able to
move," answered Elton. He was black in
the face when we released him."
"How many of you are left?
"Only four OF us, excepting you and the
cap n"
rinu Tod Sc l;t<
danger of our falling foul Of another ship in
these waters, and it will be well to put it out
Of the power Of Bunce and his gang TO board
u.s."
This suggestion was adopted.
Let us hope that no chance will throw us
into their power" said Denny. as carelessly
as ifno peril had ever assailed him. 'sFor
my part, don't care to be towed alongside
by one leg againp
"We'l stand in toward the harbor,' said
Capt. Morrison, who was now quite himself
again, with the exception of a severe head.
ache. Doubtless our runaways have made
the island ia safety. They would not mind
taking the risk of landing in the darkness
in such boat as they had"
Il see nothing of any ship in port.'' re-
marked Capt. Morrison to our hero, as thew
paced the deck together.
mo. sir. There certainly is none-at
least within the range of our VISION"
I'VE shall nave to be very careful about
our movements" said the commander.
me schooner had advanced several miles
o m.o .ne fassage, when Capt. Morrison be-
Sau.e convinced that the dwelling which had
, peen uestroyed he previous evening az re-
lated, was no other than that of the n;s al nc
ry. VIC ni'ssioha-
1T may have been burned by acciden. sir -
suggested Denny. with keen glances throuob
glass at the distant ruins. sn
'.It may, indeed" assented the command
er, ''but fear to the contrary. l don't like