Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-01-10

/
a few hours. Besides, we have eX-
hausted our strength for the common
good. She has done nothing, hel
life is useless, she is a dead weight
upon our hands. Let the woman die
first, say
''Let the woman die?'' echoed the
crew, as they started simultaneously
to their feet, at the same time draw
ing their sheath-knives.
The mate, exhausted by the long
watching, anxiety, and weak from
hunger, had sunk into an uneasy
do~e, from which he was aroused by
the rocking of the boat, as the men
struggled to their feet.
Looking up, he found himself con-
frcnted by the half-frantic sailors.
Their eyes glowed with the light Of
insanity, their tongues protruded
from theil shrunken lips, which were
drawn tightly over their cleaning
teeth Each sheath-knife was raised
aloft with n threatening air, but In,
gram shrank not, although taken by
surprise.
"What would you do, men? II
Gods name, what do you mean?''
gasped the mate.
''The woman is dying, and We
would drink her blood,' was the re
ply.
''Drink her blood, you cowardly
dogs! Would you attack q defense
less woman? Stand back, or II
brain the first one of you that offers
to advance a step!" and unshippins
the heavy oallcn tiller, he stood OF
the defensive.
The men hesitated, wavered, anC
fell back. \ low, hollow murmul
was heard for moment, then one o.
the sailors turned toward the mate.
"You refuse to allow the woman
to be sacrificed. So be it; but death
stares us in the face; We must dc
something, or all will perish. We
have resolved to draw for life or death,
and the woman must take her chance
with the rest.
''Are ye cannibals, men, that ye
would prey one upon anothcr:"
''No; bat we are dcsperate-we
are dyi :"
There were nine persons in the
boat, and eight white buttons and
one black were deposited under a hat
and thoroughly mixed. Each man
was to draw, and whoever became
the posSessor Of the black button was
to be the victim for the remainder to
p,ey upon.
~ Ii take a chance with you, men
but understand. I'll have nothing TO
do with the feast if run free - and
the mate, for the hundredth time,
east his eyes around the horizon with
the same old result.
One by one the men drew forth the
buttons, until bnt two were left, one
of which was the fatal black ballot.
The chances of life and death lay be-
tween Blanche LIE Moyne and her
protector.
With firm hand, the mate drew
forth n butlon-it was white.
That is for YOU, Miss lie Moync;
and men, l have drawn the black but
toni"
The crew gazed at each other for Il
moment, uncertain how to proceed.
Ehey did not care to turn their knives
upon a man whom they admired in
spite OF thems elves.
Listen 10 me, men! My life is
forfeited, if you require it, and my
life-blood shall flow for the good Of
all 4; but life is sweet, and all l ask is
a chance for my life. 1t is nearly
if nothing turns the scales
in our favor by sunrise, you can do
with me rs you will"
The replieve was granted, and once
more dead silence resigned over the
boat. Miss Lee Moyne had sunk
into a species Of swoon, and was
scarcely conscious. i
The sun set in low bank ofclouds.
upon which the Mate had fastened
his eyes with a deep, longing gaze.
His dark orlts lit up with wistful
light as the cloud increased, spread
ing rapidly over the heavens. Dar-
ker and darker grew the night; the
rumble Of thunder struck upon the
mates ear with a sweet cadence, and
soon the patter of rain aroused the
seamen.
Down rushed the rain, and, with
terrible eagerness, the sailors drank
in copious draughts of the precious
liquid. They were refreshed; large
portion OF their pains and agony was
and once more they were
themselves.
All through the night the rain fell,
and with i, came a moderate bree re.
The boat dritted before it, rising and
falling gently oh the ocean swell; but
everything WAS unheeded; the men
slept, and even Blanche and the mate
were buried in slumber. They were
aroused by the dancing rays of the
sun streaming into their eyes, and a
loud, CHEEKY hail.
srbo,o b,+ n cbor4 ,I;,+a,ac 4 - NIL