The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-11-22


sound of trampling overhead, heavy
ropes being thrown about, loud voices,
swearing, and all the usual accompani-
ments considered necessary by nautical
people to the proper clearing of vessel
out OF hsrbor.
In about twenty minutes the noise
had succumbed, and there was q gentle
heaving motion; so vent on deck and
found that we were at sea-fast leaving
the mouth of bonny Dee behind, to-
gether with the city of granite.
Then, at the Captains invitation,
accompanied him into the cabin to
breakfast
He now introduced me to the first
mate, who was to mess with US.
He was a dark, surly-looking fellow,
whose appearance 1 disliked atzonce,
.aBa,, h.,se-. no opened his mouth.
And when he commenced to speak,
his conversation confirmed my first inn
pressions. He hardly ever spoke with
out an oath or curse of some kind.
"Well, we've got off all clear, that's
one good thingI" observed the mate.
Eyes; now let's have "a wind that
blows, we've the ship that goes and 1
dare say one of us has the lass that loves
a asailorp"
Matters went on in an usual hupdrum
way; they always appear to me to do at
sea for some time, and l began to think
that the Company had sent me out on
wild-goose chase.
But l soon discovered my mistake. 1
don't know whereabouts we were, be-
cause l take no interest in nautical mat
ters, and understand very little about
latitude and longitude; but it was about
week after we got into warm weather
that after dinner l lay down on the
lockers at the stern OF the cabin to have
forty winks.
| had not lain there long, however,
when the captain and the mate came in.
TO night will be the very time Hodge,"
exclaimed the mate. "The weather's
calm; we're just in such a position that
we could reach" (some place 1 couldn't
catch the name of sin the boats in a
couple of days"
81 don't agree with you Sharpe" re-
piled the Captain. "In the first place /
should like it to be blowing just decent
gale. 1t would be very fishy for craft
like this to go to the bottom in nice
breeze only; and then, again in weeks
time or so we shall be getting near the
Cape de Verde Islands"
'Just as you like skipper. Only, if
you take my advice you'll do it at once
and get it over. Hallo here's this
'longshore chap! Let him look out if
he's been listeningp
Hush !" said Hodge, 81 expect he's
asleep. Don't wake him"
And they approached me in order 10
see 81 we're awake 81 no. That was "a
very unpleasant FIVE minutes. could
feel that hey were gazing at me and
counting my pulsations, as it were, and
yet Ihad to lie quiet and calm.
Hes all right 7" at length exclaimed
the Captain. "We'd better go on deck
again"
"Ihope he is" said the mate. "IPn
be bad for him if he amt, - his
eyesP
And they retired to the ether end OF
the esbin, and apparently went up the
ladder on to the deck.
Nevertheless, 1 thought it better to
keep my eyes stiI closed, and myself in
the ame position.
ItEas well aid, for at the close of |
another Ave minutes 1 heard one of them
whostayed behind, leave the cabin and
90 on deck.
Although no more was said or done re-
speeding this, had an idea that they
suspected me after that and watched me
about in consequence.
Two or three days passed away, when,
one evening l had been writing up my
diary IS usual, and replaced it, as
thought, in the private pocket where it
ASPbs
But, by some accident 1t must have /
fallen 10 the deck, for, in about half an
hour the steward came up, and, with the
CAPTAINS compliments, would 1 join
him with the mate, over glass OF grog?
| accordingly descended, and, inno-
Gently enough, walked up to where the
two men were sitting
This book was picked up quarter
OF an hour ago and brought to me. ex-
claimed the Captain, holding up my un-
hsppy dairy. +" Is it yours ?"
It was no good prevaricating, or at
tempting to evade, so / determined to be
OF with a bold move.
1t does belong to me-" / replied
aud, at the same time, sDatched it out
q his hand. And now what have you
tosay ~
''That you are spy" exclaimed the
nate.
= Now, the question is, how much do
you know, and how are we to be sure
thst you will not peach ON us?" said
Hodge.
''The question is nothing of the kind l''
replied, as bold as brass. "The aues-
ton is, / know enough to give you fell
lows penal servitude. You dare not
touch me; and now what are you going
to do, in order to save yourselves from
punishmentP'
Hodge looked rather blank at this
And then, in minute, he said to the
nate, I" Sharpe. come for'srd a bit we
must talk this over"
Accordingly they went away out o
ssrshot, and began arguing, the mate
insisting upon something that the Cap
ain would not agree to.
At length they return, and Hodge
sid, "Well, Sharpe and l can't quite
gree yet. We must talk it over sgain.
And, in the meantime, you must allow
rourself to be put under arrest in your
,abin. No harm is intended you.".
| did not desire that the matter should
,ome to a free fight, especially as l
hought more than once that / could
,erceive the butt of pistol peeping out
f Sharpe's pocket, SO I consented. and
n five minutes was bolted in nv cabin.
pror.firna tho raafa I-<..ra