Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-07
CHAPTER TX.

Much, undenably, there was in Cuth berts
position to make him miserable. Could Lieu
tenant Transom have promised to put him
ashore next day, the young fellow would
have plucked up heart and swung his glass
like man, but there was bitter prospect OF
his detention lasting, with risks of death be-
tween, and never a chance Gt might be) to
send his story to Jenny. Scarce could he
hold up his head pleasantly as Transom tried
to rally him. Indeed, he was no philosopher;
or rather, he was very bad one.
Such night as Cuthbert passed man had
need to commit murder to merit. All through
the hours the thunder of water sweeping past
was in his ears. The bulls eye over his head
had changed from ebony to silver before his
panied and heavy eyes closed, and then for
q while the poor fellow forgot his sorrows in
sleep.
The bell on deck was striking when he
awoke While he was dressing marine
presented himself.
"The first lieutenant's compliments, sir,
and when you are dressed you will breakfast
with hima" said the man, as erect as a sentry
in his box on the deck that kept Cuthbert
staggering.
This invitation was, Of course, promptly
accepted, and in few minutes Cuthbert fol-
lowed the marine into large cabin with
ceiling garnished with small arms, stout
lockers around their seats, charts on the
walls and table laid for breakfast. Here
he found the first and second leutenants.
Both men were fine specimens Of naval Of
ficers of those days-the days of Cochrane
and Strachan- -Transom in middle age, and
the other young, but both with hard, stern
lines of resolution carved in their en-
Drowned faces, both with the hearty, open
look Of brave spirits, dressed in uniforms
that smelt Of gunpowder, and one Of them
with cutlass scar behind his ear, and the
other of them with two stumps for fingers on
his right hand.
They saluted Cuthbert with blunt polite
ness, and, breakfast being served, invited
him ito fall to at once, for we are rising the
royals Of big ship right ahead, says Tran
som; "and whenever there's anything visible
on the horizon we always accept it as hint
to bear hand in slowing ballast"
"How the deuce came young Towplank to
take you for seamanw exclaimed the second
lieutenant, scrutinizing Cuthbert admirngly.
"If there was moon enough to see your hands
by they should have satisfied him that you
were not his man, supposing him sober"
"He was sober enough. ! explained to
your captain that this midshipman gave me
no chance Of representing myself" replied
Cuthbert II can only trust that Sir Peter
Grahame will put Inc ashore soon-any-
where"
Transom looked grave, but said: "Well,
well, there's no telling what will turn up.
When your people find you missing, be sure
they'll start on such hunt after you as will
bring them to the true cause Of your dis
appearance. 1t will be known throughout
Greystone that our press gang took three
men last night, and do you suppose your
wife and father will not hit upon the Cleo
patra as the reason Of your sudden vanish
ingp A question that frightened up the
Door fellow wonderfully.
Down to the flying wind was the Cleo
patra, stopping with leaning bow, ripping
up the breast of the water as dog slants his
head to make better lever of his jaw. The
mighty press of sail filled the blue sky over
head with thunder, and the base of the
sweeping tower of canvas was all acre OF
foam.
Sir Peter Grahame paced the deck aft
with telescope, which from time to time he
leveled at some object ahead; he bowed to
Cuthbert but seemed too preoccupied to
speak A crowd of men were Oh the fore
castle, pointing forward and conversins in
low voices, some Of them looking aloft, or at
the water ripping past with grins of salts
faction.
The first lieutenant came to Cuthbert,
after exchanging a few words with the
captain. = , 10 cold a,vhich
we have reason to believe is the Guerriere.
If she shows French colors we shall fight her.
We are rising her fast, for nothing can stand
against the Cleopatra on bowline, and Sir
Peter has instructed me to request that you
will 90 below and remain there on the order
being given to clear for action"
"Mr. Transonl, hope Sir Peter will not
insist on my going below. may be of use
on deck, md am willing to fight with the
men,"
"Well spoken, Mr.. Shaw, and q generous
offer" replied Transom, glancing with
smile at Cuthbert's hands "But my dear
fellow, you must think of your wife. How
ever. we'll leave the matter for the present.
The ship may prove a Observation-Disclosures
haps nm Eas. Indiamap. One can't detect
nationalities twenty miles off,"
With which he returned to the captain,
and they walked the deck together.
An hour went by. Suddenly the men for
ward heard the first lieutenant, who worked
his telescope in the main rigging, sing out:
"She has clewed up her royals and top
gallant sails, sir, and her mzzen topsail-
yard is down on the cap. Now she hoists
her colors They are-oh, confound this jog
ging-they are-they are"
"French!' shouted Sir Peter, and down
sprang the first lieutenant, and in trice
there was shril whistlins and quick move
ment among the men, and a coming and q
going, and then steady stand.