The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1877-01-25

ped, and nearer and nearer still We
could hear the dropping of the oars
from the boat in search of us. 1t was
the phosphorescent light Of the Indian
ocean.
"Seems as If the Lord meant to
have another life or two out Of them
numbering mutineers," said Ben
"kind of beautiful, too, amt ii miss?
Lord, I've seen il off Peru, when
there was no pirates and mutinees in
chase, as bright rs this! That was on
board the Coaqucror, hundred-and-
twenty-gun man-o'-war; and the
chaplain preached next day on the
Lords handiwork. Here they come,
Mr.. Warneford. Steady, and aim at
the bow-oar; l take the stroke: fire
when | give the word. and get the
sculls ready in case of a miss"
They were about quarter of mile
astern of US, pulling up hand over
hand; because we never attempted
being in such bright light-to escape
by rowing.
sat in the bows, pistol in hand.
Ben was in the stern, and the young
lady amidships.
They hailed US to stop rowing. We
were not pulling at all, so that no an
swer was necessary.
"A hundred yards. as | Judge
Sculls out, and pistol ready to hand,
| Mr.. Warneford. Don't let them run
us down. Now give her headway-
SO. When | say Port, pull with
your left as hard as you know, ship
the sculls, and let the bow-oar have
it. Sit down, my pretty, shut both
eyes, and say your prayers for me and
Mr.. Warneford, eos both on lis needs
them badly this very moment"
Boat ahoyw 1t was the voice of
Boston Tom. "You Warneford. You,
George Warneford, convict and forger,
vast rowing, and give us up the bo'sn
and the girl, then you shall go free
II you don't, we'll murder you a. well
as him."
we Hlaue no answer.
The boat came near. 1t was rowed
four oars, and, rs supposed, Boston
Tom was in the stern.
Run them DOWN. cried one of
the crew, with an oath. All the time
l was pulling quietly, SO rs to keep n
steady way upon her.
s.pnrf ~, aaid Ran su.ldauly
obeyed orders, and pulled my left.
Instantly the gig swung round, and
the heavy ships boat past our stern;
and as she passed, Ben's pistol fired
once, and yell of anguish told that
the shot had taken effect.
A for myself, | could not recover
in time; but one of the four oars was
disabled.
Surrender" shouted Boston Tom.
Easy bow; pull, two; we'll run them
down. Surrender, you convict Warne-
ford! IT. you wont take those terms,
III give you better. Come on board
with me, and I'll show you who really
done it, and put you ashore safe and
sound. I'll give you your revenge;
| I'll establish your innocence; I'll"
This time, as they were turning
let fly without orders, aiming at the
bow-oar; and hit him somewhere,
because there was another yell.
They were within three oars length
but lying broadside on.
Pull back to your ship" said Ben |
pirates and murderers, lest we take
more lives! We've shot enough here
for all your crew. Leave us, and wait |
for the time when hang you ally
In their haste they had forgotten to
bring the officers pistols with them.
Perhaps they could not find the pow
der and shot. Anyhow, there was
not sign or sound from the other
boat, but the groaning and cries of the |
wounded men; and, after a pause, we
saw the two who were left row back |
in silence toward the ship. That fight
was over, at any rate. They passed
away from the circle Of fphosphorescent
light in which we lay, and so into
outer darkness.
Then we were silent for the space of
an hour of more. The phosphores-
cence died away, and the stars came
out again. Presently in the east APP
peared the first faint streak of dawn,
and Ben Croil broke the silence:
"What was them words as Boston
Tom addressed to you, Warneford?"
He called ME convict and thief;
and he said Mop Here a sudden
rush of thought filed my brain as l
comprehended for the first time, all |
the force of what he did say, and |
could speak no more.
Convict! Thief" Ben cried. "And |
you rs the best man of us ali! Done |
your duty like man! Well-after
that-theer-'
Miss Elwood raised her head and |
looked round in the gray of the dawn.
She saw my shameful head bowed be-
tween my hands. Convict and thief!
felt her gentle hand in mine rs she |
IAuiHAuicu, HE IlSAl Is IlT spent |
and the day is at hand; let us thank
God for ur lives, and for his great
gifts to man of courage and fidelity.
Let us pray to Him never to let US for
get this night, to forgive us all our
trespasses, and to help us to forgive
them that trespass against us.
So, in the lone waters of the South
ern Indian Ocean, when the sun
climbed up the rosy waves, the light |
fell upon group of three in little
boat, kneeling together, and glorifying
God through the mouth Of that inno-
cent girl; and of the three there was
one at least whose heart was humbled |
and softened.
'Amen cried Ben Croil, clearing his |
throat. "And now we will look about |
u.s.
To be continued
Peter (,OOnHP and Van do e1Al0t