The Morning herald., 1876-11-28
CORD AND CREESE.
CHAPTER VII.

9 'yishnu,' Adrift in the Chinese Sea
JuylO, 1928.
will be seen by this that John Potts
in connection with the Thugs, proba-
for the sake of plundering those whom
murdered; that he conspired against
md tried to kill me; and that he has
,gAt my death (for expect to die) AN
nination of my desk shows that he has
N papers and bank bills to the amount
bur thousand pounds with him. 1t was
no doubt, that induced him to make
attempt against me.
desire also hereby to appoint Henry
rnton, Sen., Esq, of Hobby Pembroke,
ci!or, my executor and guardian of my
Courtenay, to whom l bequeath faith
blessing and all that l possess. Let him
to secure my money in Cape Town for
boy, and, if possible, to regain for him
four thousand pounds which Potts has
lied off.
Along with this manuscript l also in
e the strangling cord.
May God have mercy upon my soul
len.
"LIoNEL DEsPARD."
July 2S.-Since I wrote this there has
IN a series of tremendous storms. The
ather has cleared up again. l have
no land and no ship.
FJuly 31.-Land to-day visible at a
pat distance on the south. I know not
lat land it may be. I can not tell in
pat direction am drifting.
august 2.-Land visible toward the
Bthwest. 1t seems like the summit of a
hge of mountains, and is probably fifty
lies distant.
august 5.-A sail appeared on the ho.
OD. 1t was too distant to perceive me.
passed out 0f sight.
'August l0.-A series of severe gales
e sea always rolls over the brig in these
inns, and sometimes seems about to carry
down.
August 2O.-Storms and calms alter.
ling. When will this end?
August 25.-Land again toward the
bt. 1t seems as though may be drift
among the islands of the Indian !Archi.
ago.
September 81 have been sick for a
ek. Unfortunately l am beginning to
over again. A faint blue streak in the
til seems like land.
September 10.-Open water.
September pa series Of storms.
Wv the brig can stand it l can not see. l
nember Potts telling me that she was
1t of mahogany and copper fastened.
phe does not appear to be much injured.
i'm exceedingly weak from want and ex-
Pare 1t is with difficulty that can
bve about.
October 2.-Three months adrift, May
ID have mercy on me, and make haste to
liver mel A storm is rising. Let all
y waves and billows overwhelM me, q
rd!
October 5.--A terrific storm. Ragged
rec days. The brig has run aground.
Is a low island, with rock about five
les away. Thank God, my last hour is
hand. The yea is rushing in with tre-
endons violence, huring sand upon the
s. shall drift no more. can scar.
y hold this pen. These are my last words.
bis is fer Ralph Brandon. My blessing
my loved son. | feel death coming.
neither the s!Lrm takes me or not, |
Rlst die.
Whoever finds this will take it from
hand, and, in the name Of God, |
;anrge him to do my bidding"
This was the last. The concluding pa
vi we manuscript were scarcely IeSi-
e. The entries were meagre and formal,
" the handwriting spoke Of the darkest
fspalr. What ayonies had this man not
lanured during those three months!
Brandon folded up the manuscript rev
FentlaIly, and pat it into his pocket. lie
en- went back into the cabin. Taking
Pc bony skeleton hand he exclaimed, in Il
Plomon voice, "In the name ofGod. i'll
n saved, / swear to do your bidding"
ln re next proceeded to perform the last
ices to the remains of Colonel Despard.
q removing the sand something bright
Frack his eye. II was q gold lccket. AS
\ 1rled to open it the rusty hinge broke,
F'q the cover came Oft.
It was painting on enamel, which was
! bright as when made-the potrait OF q
|eaut'ful ~ woman, with pensive eyes, and
|ellcate, intellectual expression; and ap-
l. L.