Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-10-02
CHAPTER XXXII.
An UNANTICIPATED VOYAGE.

AS may well be supposed. the mas
ter of the schooner was not little sur
prised and quite rs much terrified, at
this sudden and curious call at mid
night and his first impulse, since he
was apparently at the mercy of the
man who thus stood over him was to
cry out for help. On second thought,
however, considering the singular
manner of his visitor, he concluded to
do no such foolish thing. Ills eve fell
upon the heavy purse that Rodolpho
held forth toward > m: and as soon
"a he could well recover himself. after
the first fright, he conclu led to look
again before he made any unnecessary
disturbance.
''Are you not the master of this yes
sel?' asked Rodolpho hurriedly.
Yes muttered the man. "But,
mercy you are not going TO kill me
at sight. are you?'
''On the contrary my good fellow,
| would not harm you, be assured
But be stirring now; | have a lady on
deck y
"A woman tOor'
"A lady. "a d Here is gold and /
have more in plenty. want to use
your vessel and YOUR skill Instantly
Take this purse a, an earnest OF nv
future intentions toward YOU. if YOU
do my bidding. Come. do not hest
tate time presses have no leisure
for dallsng now.
"Well, what is your sh?' inqu. red
the captain. spring,ng out upon the
floor, and : curing the bag OF gold at
the same me.
First, that on give up this cabin
for the use of my self and the lady.
''O-ho, see! see'an affair of the
well, never mind. An elopement
ism. very bad, but '
Quick, then. and ask no questions.
Call up your hands and put to sea at
once.
Put to seal"
Christianity"
'And the LADY,"
els my wife. | am hot pressed, and
there is not moment to be lost You
have provisions on hoard?'
''Yes. for month voyage.
And water
yes"
Set sail. then. forthwith and you
shall be handsomely pa for the SER
vice. said kodolpho in a hurried
manner; and then repairing to the
deck, where his trembling wife awaited
his return. he said dearest Frances
ca. We are safe once more, at least
from present harm. We shall sail
hence Immediately. All is arranged
/ find the captain a reasonable man.
and we shall escape again. Let us re
tire below
There was hustle about tho deck
Immediately All hands had been
summoned from below, and. as il
CHANGED that the vessel was coaster
in possession of clearance papers. she
was enabled 10 depart from her an
chorage whenever il pleased her
commander, without exciting suspic-
ion.
The schooner i'm which Claudio and
his wife had found so secure an asy-
lum. would have started at dawn of
day for Civiia Necch a. but the willy
captain said nothing of this fact, how
ever. but rather gave them TO under
stand that he sa led to accommodate
him personally. At Civita Necchia,
accordingly. the schooner put in for a
few hours. here fresh provisions and
water was taken aboard. and where
the letters OF credit, which the Count
Autienne possessed were turned to
account for present purposes.
As the captain was intrusted with
the business of obtaining the money
Claud DIES red he was sufficiently ac-
quainted with his passengers finances
TO .atisfy himself that there would be
no risk in following his directions.
Accordingly, when he returned on
board. he at once asked his passenger
what he desired further with him and
his vessel.