Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-03-31


the last-of which have to tell, for it
came near to become an adventure. We
were bound to Lisbon, seeking cargo
of the light wines for the market of New
York, and the Captain had with him for
the purchase three thousand dollars in
gold. He had shipped for the voyage a
different chief mate, and also two men
of the crew who came on board with
him. 1t happens to me to notice small
things, and remember that looked
with surprise at the familiarity which
these common sailors had secretly with
the first mate. Old Jacques would
hardly have spoken to sailor even up
on the land, except in the way OF duty.
l had for this Mr.. Atkin, as he called
himself, a strong dislike. His face had
a smooth badness, but he was fluent OF
tongue, with an appearance of education,
and the Captain smiled at what he said
was childish prejudice. Yet the good
God has given me to read the human
face, and often have chosen out those
from the crew who felt would make
trouble to the officers, and was seldom
with mistake.
The second officer was Waters, man
very young but brave and active. He
too regarded this Atkin with suspicion.
'sTell your father, Miss" he said to me
in private, ''to keep his weather eye
open, and look out for Atkin."
The Captain did but laugh when l
told him, and babe me not to trouble
my little head with fears. But found
him watchful in quiet way after that,
though there happened nothing for some
time of suspicion.
l find as I copy from my journal that
l do not sometimes frame these SEN
fences in the exact order that read
them in books. can not seem to read
lily correct myself, as have made a
point to put down all the conversation
which remember exactly as it was
spoken by those of whom shall write.
It will be good practice for me. be-
gan to keep my journal three years
since, with view of having better COM
mand of language.
We finally made sight of Teneriffe
Peak among the Canary Islands. 1t
rises many thousand feet above the sea,
and for miles is visible in the clear
weather.
That night the winds died away and
we were becalmed, and so warm as it
was! I could not sleep, and in the
first watch-that of the Captain-I went
upon deck. Old Dan is sailor who
has been at sea with US great many
years, and the only one that the Captain
wishes me to speak with when he is not
present.
So after 1 had chatted with the Cap
tain little, he went forward moment
with command for the second mate.
''How do you head, DAMP" l asked
of him idly.
"Mostly all round the compass, there
being no Storage way to speak of,
Miss" he made answer.
yawned, for had a strong desire to
sleep, yet cared not to 60 to the close
air of below.
ALI at once I thought of the life-boat
which swings at the +" Petrel's" stern,
covered with canvas, and how delightful
to be in it were it possible. If there came
a breath of wind should feel it there;
and remembering that had seen torn
fore-royal put into the boat few days
previous, made up my mind what to
do. "Look you, Dan," said, GO am
going to sleep in the ife-boat till you
shall come to the wheel again in the
watch from twelve till four, and
then you can call me-"
"Very well, Miss" he made reply,
though he regarded me with little
doubt, "only maybe Cap'n Wray
wouldn't think
"He need know nothing of it," I said,
with impotence, for have will head
which often causes me after
sorrow. And without other words /
slipped myself within the boat, pulling
the cover in place with care.
where is Miss Wray?" heard the
Captain to ask as he came aft moment
after.
sShe's turned in, sir,'' was the an
swer of Dan.
Then the Captain began his walk of
the quarterback with vain whistlings
for the breeze.
But it was charming, laying upon the
old sail listening to the twitter of Mother
Cary's chickens and the cool swash of
the sea about the rudder.
1t is not wonder, then, that fell in
to fast sleep, only to awaken by the bell
striking s'one, two, three, four" which
of the morning, and l had some regret
at my foolish whim, for it had become
quite cool and damp. Yet I knew l
nlSnU nOb ToteaSo NY SCH uutn AOuT
o'clock, when old Dan again had the
wheel.
l raised a corner of the cover and
peeped out. Spanish Joe stood with one
hand upon the wheel, looking sideways
in the half darkness of the night. The
light from the pinnacle was upon his
swarthy face with strength, and I told
myself, with little SILVER, that it was
the face of brigand, such as had
gazed upon in some gallery of pictures.
But figure to yourself my feelings as Mr..
Akin, after listening moment at the
open window of the state-room of the
Captain, came directly behind the
wheel, and seating himself upon the
taffrail, so near that could touch him,
began with an absent drumming of his
fingers upon the cover of the boat it
self!
Everybody is sound asleep but you
and l, Joe," he said, in q half whisper.
Baseno," was the reply of Joe; "an'
now s'pose you say what you have think
bout US try to get dis money you tell us
st. eh?n