The Iola register., 1881-09-16


ever, turned at once to Dick.
sYou can try it." said I. 81 give you full
mark you, don't believe In
the nonsense. But get hold of it without my
little gifl seeing you."
SAY, ay, sir"
All, it was bad night. The wind whistled
in ropes and cords, and spsrs and rigging
creaked wearily. The broken water every now
and then came swash on our bulwarks. and
swirling and Kissing over us. All, my heartles,
believe me, it's better ashore than at sea! The
cat was got and put into the tub, and over she
went into the darkness and the rush and hiss
OF the mighty waters with dreadful meaw,
that made our flesh creep.
was glad did not see the mems faces. l
felt-I don't know what. Then / went aft
step or two till was close to the wheel and
looking astern. / had stood maybe minute
or more, when, 10 and behold! saw just
where the pinnacle light fell on the bulwarks
dashed forward just on the impulse. 1t was
clambering on board again.
Down, you brute!' cried, pushing at It.
God! how II clawed into the wood! "Down,
you wretch! you devil!'
1t mewed terribly and held on with every
claw, but-yes. yes! with furious, half-terfised
hands, tore it away and flung it out. 1had
not noticed that the men had come about me.
"Ah! save and deliver US, sir"' said Dick at
my elbow. you've done for us now! Lord
knows what'n hsppen.''
In the feeble Light saw his and his cOmpan
ions faces staring on me with ghastly terror.
felt now like fool and criminal. Dick had
barely done speaking, and had just turned
round. when little white figure appeared. 1t
was my little Maggie.
'' Father" she whispered, "where are you?
heard my pussy NEW and can't find her.
Where is she. Have you seen my pussy, IA
there"
"Your father has thrown her into the sea,
Missy" said one OF the men. Sand vhat'll
come OF, God knows"
How exasperatsd I was with that man!
"YOu'd better go fOr'ard, YOU men, was all
said, however. But, before any of us had
time to stir. the crest OF wave: like great
white flying name, flung itself over and
drenched US. / caught Maggie in my arms oil
dripping, and carried her below. She said
nothing, but looked at me in a way that cut to
the heart; her gaze was frightened and half
turned away. had no word to say for myself.
l changed her night and put her back In
her berth. She shvercd and snugaled down
with her head under the bedclothes. After a
little she peeped out and said to me:
When you are some day angry with me,
will you maybe throw me into the sea"
could not bear it. 80, Maggie, my child,
my darling!" cried, taking her in my arms;
uOu u t1Ih dllu lOOh llhc tAldt 1uc Cdt vas u
bad cat, and brought US ill-luck and bad
weather.
81 thought" said Maggie, simply, AIT was
God made the weather." was silent. After
a pause she cried: =" l want my pussy back,
father. Get me it back. 1t was not bad, and
l liked it."
g! wish, my DEAR" said, Il could bring
Was it new heard and scratching,
or was it only the wind above, and the dash of
the water at the port-hole! Maggie had heard
it, too; she sat up and her eyes were fixed on
the port-Eole. With some difficulty pulled
it open and in scrambled the cat
was never e.lelghted by the eight of
any living thing than vas by the return of that
poor, half-drOwned cat. Such a weight of
guilt was lifted off me! felt almost like
little boy again, there, with my little girl be-
side me. The to-do Maggie and made over
the poor, outraged creature! Iconfess to You
truly the tears came to my eyes. Maggie
kissed it and cuddled it, all wet and shivering
as it was, the brave little swimmer! l went to
the cook and got some hot mess for it 70 eat,
and prepared snug little bed before the cabin
stove, and poor grateful pussy lickedmy hand.
Captain! Captain!' / heard eagerly
whispered from the top of the cabin steps. l
should have been on deck, and l was turning
to go-after glance at Maggie, with shawl
about her, sitting down by her recovered pus-
sy-when the cook stumbled hurriedly down
into the cabin, whispering in terror, They've
got at the spirits, Captain, and they're mad!
They've knocked Dick down for standing up
for you, and they're sure, as you threw
the cat overheard, the only way to save the
ship is to throw you after it! They're COM
ingr'
And before another word could be said, or
anything done, they were come. l suppose
they at once suspected the cook of being in-
former; in moment he was gagged and
bound. stood before them with what calm
ness Ihad; though l felt nv cheek pale and
my blood tingle to see all the desperate crew
crowded in before me. They were not drunk;
they were only primed to the Dutch courage
point: their faces were bloOdshot and resolute.
I" What is the meaning OF this, my men" /
asked firmly. Mutiny!'
At the dreaded word they Quailed little;
but Bill BOwser-he who had told Maggie
had drowned the cat, and who seemed the
ringleader-made step forward and said Che
was an ugly slab Of man, with something
like squint, but he could speak to the pOint):
"No mHtiay, Captain, only self preservation,
the first law o. nature. That darned cat has
been thrown overheard, and to save the ship
and all the rest on US you must follow 1t, Cap
tain, 'csuse you done IT.
1 was about to speak, when Maggie, who
looked very much surprised, but not In the
least frightened, said (standing up in her
sweet childish beauty, With the shawl slipping
from her shoulders) "Look, pussy was In the
sea but she's come back again." and she
showed them the cat in her arms.
They were dumbiounded and smitten with
confusion. They stared at me, and at Maggie
and the cat, and thes shOuldered toward the
stair. BIZ BOwser again made himself spOkes-
man.
"'Pm blest," said he, "but that cat has the
devil in her, ss sure as David. But look
a-here, Captain, We must just set her sdrift
again, and ne her in this time"
"Now," said l, 81 won't allow q hair of
that cat to be touched again. And l advise
all you men to clear out of this at once, or
shall take note of it and reckon it an attempt
at mutiny." spoke in a loud, commanding
tone, to rouse Jack, who was in his berth
close by.
go, YOU will, will you:" said Bowser, now
snarling out the rebellious spirit natural to
him, and suggestively lowering his head and
drawing up his sleeve from his right wrist;
felt sure he had his knife handy. ''If it's to
be reckoned mutiny, it may as well be made
worth the reckoning. Down with him mates"
l caught the CLEAN of the knife; l had no
weapon; threw my cap in his face, and next
instant fioored him with my fist. At this june
ture, as II in answer to little Maggie's cry, out
burst Jack, half-dressed, revolver in hand.
"Halloa! Eh? What's this!" he cried.
took the revolver from his hand and point
ed it among the men, who looked some sulky,
some bewildered, but none inclined to follow
BOwseY's initiative.
"Now," said I, II give you another chance.
Be off atOnce to the fo'c'sle, o1-' clicked
the trigger of the revolver.