The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-06
FROZEN TO DEATH.


aboard the whale-ship Wanderer, then
in the Arctic Ocean.
Bessie Baker, who was n pretty young
woman, turned toward the speaker, her
rosy face and black eyes lighted by the
lantern in the rigging, and answered
with the frank spirit of true Nantucket
lass:
'T will be your wife, Harry, but you
may as well ask uncle if he is willing" I"
"Of course you can have her." said
the good-natured skipper, when the
first officer entered the cabin and told
his errand 'and if you like, you can
he married aboard ship |"
II would like that, sir, if Bessie
would !'
"But how will Darkle feel ?" said the
captain, alluding to his second officer,
who had also wanted Bessie, but whom
she had refused. ''He has savage
temper"
II care nothing for his temper" said
Bolton. "He would not dare to inter
fers."
Soon after he went OH deck and spoke
to Bessie about being married aboard
the ship.
She consented, and it was agreed that
the wedding should take pluce fort
night thereafter. Mr.. Gray, u mission
ary, who had taken passage Mt the
Sandwich Islands aboard the Wanderer,
TOR the benefit of his health. could per
form the ceremony.
On an, afternoon, about two days
before the one fixed for the wedding,
the man ut the masthead gave notice
that he saw, far eastern through nh
opening amongst Il field Of floating ice
bcrgs, something which looked like a
wreck.
'"rake boat, Mr.. Darkle," he said to
his second mate, "and find out what
craft she is. Look about you, and see
ii any one of her crow are in sight,"
GAY, ay, sir" answered Darkle.
II hope it is not my brothers craft
the Mt. Vernon" remarked Belton
"rhe last time heard from him, he
said he was going to cruise up here. I
should like to go too, sir"
"You may CO." said the skipper.
Throwing over his shoulders q COM
Portable cloak he usually wore when on
duty, and which was neatly trimmed
with black and white fur, Bolton sprang
into the boat which was now down, with
the second mate in the stern sheets.
Darkle wore no cloak, but in other re-
spects his attire was like TINT of the first
officer, to whom in fact, in size and
complexion, he bore some resemblance,
although the bearing and manner of the
two were essentially different.
Night had fallen by the time the boat
reached the wreck, and in the fast
gathering gloom Bolton, who had
brought no lantern, had some trouble to
discover the name of the craft.
cit is not the Mt. Vernon" he cried,
finally making out 'Laura," in gilt let
ters, on the bow.
He sprang aboard, followed by Darkle
''Pull back to the ship" said the lat
ter, soon after, to the crew, "and get in
strlctions. J. SEQ n light just beyond
that headland," he added, pointing to
an elevation looking up about half a
mile from the wreck. "Ask the captain
if he will not send two or three boats
that we may take off the crew Of this
craft, who are doubtless ashore there,
with their effects"
He gave the orders while Bolton down
in the forecastle, looking about him,
could not hear what he said.
The boat disappeared in the gathering
shadows, and when Belton came up he
WAS surprised to find it gone.
Darkle explained why he had sont it
away. There was. fierce frown on his
brow as he spoke. and the first mate
could see his eyes flashing like those of
wild beast through the partial gloom.
All Mt once he threw himself upon his
companion, striking ut him with hand
spike he had picked up.
"Rascal, you shall never marry her !"
he cried. "I will kill you first !"
"Hold there, Dnrkle-arc you out of
your senses? What is the use of being
angry about it? ?" cried Bolton.
Dodging tho handspike, ut the same
time ho dealt the second officer q blow
between the eyes with his clincled fist.
Darkle sprang quickly back, and ere
his opponent could avoid it brought the
Implement he held down upon his head.
Half stunned, Bolton staggered towards
the broken ice bulwnrks. With q cry of
savage exultation his rival followed him
up, and seizing him by the throat with
one hand, hurled him overheard.
Belton fell upon M iceberg drifting
past the wreck The next moment he
was out of Darklc's sight in the gloom.
"There, I hope I nm rid of him for
ever. He muttered. "I will probably
he suspected, but nothing can be proved
against me. will say that Bolton slip
ped and foil overheard accidentally "
The captain was surprised to sec the
',nnt's crew como back without their Of
feers.
Wnen informed why Darkle had sont
them, the skipper shrugged his shoul-
ders.
lie had his own thoughts about it, but
he did not express them, lest he should
alarm Bessie.
He at once veered ship, and headed in
the direction of the wreck, but, before
he could find it, an unexpected gale
came howling and roaring npon them.