Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-07

They. Are. Blown. He pronounced these
last three words as we have given them, as II
pied them with three district taps OF his fore
finger upon his reddened nose. And with that
he buried on, leaving Mr.. Burton at once as
He understood enough Of the Captains hab-
It's to know that his associates were of q very
crafty and dangerous class: that, like other
scent for moribund carcase and that II there
really were anything wrong with the Gu1-as
the bank was fami1iarly termed-or any OCner
it. How such men Know, is as great a mystery
to us as 1t was to Mr.. Burton. But SomenoW
they contrive to make money out OF the wreck
and ruin. In vain he tried to pooh pooh the
alf-tnteliigiDle utterances Of the Captain; and
as he slowly retraced his steps to the ter
minus, tried to persuade himself that ne nad
hpen listening but to the SenSeleSS Numbering
of three parts drunken man. And yet, the
Captain was not senSeleSS Burton felt that.
intoxicated or partly so, he might be; and it
there was meaning In his husky voice, and a
warning even in the unsteady glance OF his
eve. which effectually prevented Mr.. Burton
from deSpiSing his my SterfouS hints.
ON his arrival at his house he very senslbly,
told his wife all that had occurred; and she who
very well remembered the dlsreputable but
crafty old Captain In by gone years, was fully
as much alarmed as her husband. But what was
to be done? IL was very well to admit That
there was danger ahead; but how were they to
avert It? Judging from what they had already
seen, the papers OF the next day might contain
the news OF the total collapse of the trusted
bank and four fifths OF all that Burton owned
In the world might in an instant be swept away.
His investment, 1T must be remembered, was In
the chief Office, In the Australian continent,
and he could not withdraw 1t 10 London, ex-
cepting after a delay, which, Of course, would
threat en- the bank.
But Burton was man of decision and ener-
gy, otherwise this tale would not have been
night, he rose with settled resolution In his
mind. He rose early, and after show OF e tt
Ing his breakfast, left for London In such good
time that he was there by S O'Clock. His first
proceeding was to obtain shipping list. BY
this he found that the mail left for Australia
that evening, and that a private steamer left
the the docks that very , mrornl9g-withln three
once made up. 1t is true that the time was
excessively short for what he proposed to do;
but he was not in mood to be daunted by a
little. telegram told his wife of his intended
departure-he had partly prepared her for this
before leaving. He then hurried to his London
bank and drew out nearly the whole Of his bal
tered conversation among the strangers wait
ing at the counter; which proved that Others
besides himself suspected the SoundneSs OF the
Gulf Bank. Ina few minutes time he had paid
for his passage by the Cerberus and was pleased
to hear the clerk who took his money say-al-
though he knew well enough 1t was mere
matter Of course-tnat she was remarkably
fast vessel, a splendid sea boat, and sure TO
beat the mail by at the very least-the clerk
was empt attic on this point-at the very least
from week to ten days. To an old colonist,
half an hour In an outt1tter's was quite enough
TO supply him With all he required; and, when
shortly before noon he stepped upon the gang
way leading t, he C.roerus, no one would have
supposed that three or four hours before he
had not dreamed Of the existence OF such
vessel.
TIE Captain Of the Cerebus-which splendid
y neatly cleared OF 1dlers by the time Mr.. Bur
ton arrived-was rather surprised at this un-
expected accession TO his list OF passengers
which, 10y the way, was but a scanty one the
immediate sailing Of the mail boat enecGually
checking ything like plethora. There Was
something In the look and manner Of the new
conner, however, which impressed the skipper,
and he 1nwardly decided that he should be very
friendly with the latest arrival. In coming to
this conclusion he was truer prophet than he
at all suspected.
punctual In starting than was the Cerebus. The
monday sun was shining brilliantly on beaut1-
fully calm and tranquil day in Spring when she
cast loose from her moorlngs; her great en-
g1neS began to beat and throb; and In five
minutes more her few passengers were gazing
over her stern at the receding quay which they
had just left, and the faces of those who still
stood there, waving their caps and banker
Chiefs were indistinct and blurred. An that
day and all that night she made steady WaY:
the next morning dawned brilliantly; the good
ship was well into the English Channel: and
on the day following, the great Atlantic would
be fairly beneath her keel. Mr. Burton felt as
he sat at breakfast that his voyage he begun
auSpicfously; but the next instant came the
camping thought that the mail boat had also
started under favorable auspices, and he re-
membered, too that let her auspices be favor
able or not, she was bound under penalty to
was sufficiently versed in nautical matters
and especially steam nautical matters to
know that although they were making very
their utmost, nor indeed was 1t likely that theS
would press On with any extraordinary ener-
gy, as there was no need for the vessel to ar
this might have been said OF the ship and her
passengers generally, 1t by no means applied TO
MT. Burton, who keeping his eye on the Cap
tain, when for the first time he saw the latter
enter his little sanctum On the deck, boldly fol-
lowed him. The Captain turned with some.
what surprised air, and said "Yes Sir" as
though Mr.: Burton had spoken, and clearly In
tended to ask "What next?"
Burton quietly closed the door after him, and
could not help smiling as he did so, for he felt
that this proceeding must strike the skipper
by the other Captain had struck him. However.
Captain BOwman"
piled the commander; but as he spoke a Slight
cloud came over his brOnzed face and altered its
hearty expression, for he thought, even when
n ne maze so ms cluid reply NOW, what's up? are
going to conf1de In me? Or are you detective
who thinks there is some one on board whom
uC 1liuSt dfftSt!'
Don't think that there is any great trouble
TO you In my application" said Burton, smflinr
again, for he partly OWNED the Others
thoughts; yet want you to do me favOr-a
very great favor, Captain"
The skipper looked an Interrogation: and Bur-
ton went On; "Can your boat, doing her best.
with her half a-day's start, beat the mall %
"She could, perhaps returned the seaman.
with an emphasis which implied that She Was
not very likely to try.
dareSay," pursued Burton, ssthat to do 50
Will give you some trouble, more work and per
maps incur some extra expense for fuel ana the
hKef7 $3.50 ''i0
"It would" said the Captain, briefly.
"Anu cause more work to others, also. sun-
poser" continued Burton.
cit would" again answered the skipper.
THE engineer would gruInble more than a
little, Tor We have not enough stokers for a Yoy-
age at full speed
Have you sufficient coal?" asked Burton.
"Why-yes, perhaps we have was the re.
ply; but there was an Increasing dryness In
captain Bowman'S tone which seemed to frnnIy
That he lad had almost enough of the CONVEX
Sation.
Burton saw this, and went straight tn the
point. Captain Bowman" he said. "I have
the most pressing of reasons for Wishing TO ar
rive at the Gulf before the mail Nv only
cnance was to come by you; and now ask VOL
10 get every knot out Of the Cerebus that can
vas and steam can compass, and to be pont-
blank with YOU, let me say 1t shall be at nv OK.
pense. viii pay, beforehand Ii you choose to
estimate IL, for every DOund 0f aytra n,oI -