The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-30


TO make yGIsself as little arswerable as
possible 70 the men.
"ics. yes Fetch him out. Where
is hep he replied, turning round.
Steward l called.
After pause the door of the cap
tain's cabin opened, and the figure OF
the steward stepped forth. Such 4
woe-begone object, with bloodless lips
and hasgard expression, and red eyes
and 9uiyering mouth, hands hanging
Ike an idiots, his hair matted, his
knees knocking together as he walked.
never wish TO see again.
penter (the steward, by the way, was
about forty years old), thrusting his
hands into his pockets and leaning
against the mizzen-mast, we're all
equals aboard this here vessel now.
No ones above t'Other, barrin your
self, who's just nowheeres at all, OWN
to your keepin' in tow of the skipper
when he was pisOning us with the
stores which YOU took joy in sarving
out! Now, You understand this: You re
to turn to and sarve out the cuddy
stores to the men atthe proper time.
and three tots o grog every day to
each man. Mr.. Ryle II tell you how
long our passage II last, and you're to
make a calkllatiOn of the livestock so
us each watch gifts share of the pigs
an poultry. Bat YOU he continued,
squirting some tobacco-juice from his
mouth. aren't 10 touch any other pro-
visions but the stores which the crew 5
been eatin' of: mind that! If we catch
YOU tastin' so much as half a cuddy
biscuit, Wen run you up to the fore
yard armn'
He shook his fist in the steward 5
face and addressing me, said:
That's all to be said, amt it?''
That's ALL" l replied; and the
steward went cringing and reeling to-
ward the pantry, while the carpenter
mounted the companion-ladder.
entered the captain S cabin which
was comfortably furnished and sup-
piled with all the instruments, writing
materials, maps and other necessary
articles. Among other things | dis
covered tive-chambered revolver,
which was loaded and after a little
search l found box of cartridges.
This / considered very lucky rs Iceuld
not tell how soon such weapon might
prove 10 be necessity. l put the re-
Volver in my pocket and made thor
Ough search for more firearms but 10
my great OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
of the kind. This was unfortunate, for
if myself and the boatswain could sue
coed i'll winning one more man, and
weapons could be secured for three
they might make formidable stand
against the crew should occasion de-
mand. All that l found aside from the
captains clothing, of Importance, was
bag containing about thirty pounds
in silver.
While engaged in these explorations,
a knock fell on the door. and on my
replying, the girl came i'll. bowed
and asked her to be seated, and in
CURED how her father did.
''ie is still very weak" she an
swercd; ''but he is not worse this
morning. | heard your voice just now.
and watched you enter this cabin. |
hope you will let me speak to you. l
have much to say"
Indeed" l replied, Il have been
waiting impatientIy for this opportun-
ity. Will YOU first tell NE your name?"
Mary Robertson. My father is
Liverpool merchant, Mr.. Royle, and
the ship in which we were wrecked
was his own vessel. Ohr' she eX-
claimed, pressing her hands to her
face, I'VE were many hours expecting
every moment to die.
Suddenly she looked up with a smile
of wonderful sweetness and, Selling my
hand, cried:
What do we not owe YOU for your
noble efforts? How good and brave
You are"
You praise me too warmly Miss
Robertson Had | risked my life to
save you l should only have done my
duty. How were you treated yeSter-
day? Well L hope"
''Oh yes. The captain told the
stewart to give us what we wanted. |
think the wine he sent Us saved papa's
life. He was sinking, but rallied after
he had drunk little of it. l am i'll a
sad plight" she added, while a faint
tinge of red came into her cheeks.
Il have not even a piece of ribbon to
tie up my hair with. l."
She took her beautiful hair in her
hands, and smiled.
us there nothing in this cabin that
will be of use to you?" | said. Here
is Il hair-brush-andi it looks pretty
good one. | don't know whether we
shall be able to muster 4 bit of ribbon
among us. but L just now came across
a roll of serge, and if you can do any
thing with that and a needle and thread,
which I'll easily get for you, I'll see
that they are put in your cabin. Here
are enough clothes TO rio out your
father, at all events, until his own are
made ship-shape. But how am l to |
help y0H? That has been on nv mind"
Il can use the serge, if | may have !
IT," she replied, in the prettieSt way
took :he serge from the locker and |
gave it to her. | also furnished her
with a pair of carpet slippers, which |
she took and placed by the serge |
me with grave smile. She |
asked me what the men meant to do |
with the ship, now they had seized her,
and l freely told her the little | knew,
taking care to be rs cheerful as posi-
bic and to express no fears as to our
safety. At her request l went with her
to visit her father.
The old man lay in an upper bunk.
He was lying perfectly still and had
more the appearance of dead man
han 4 living person.
His daughter leaned over him and
-old Kim L was there. He opened his
eyes and in weak and faltering voice
expressed his thanks for what had
lone.
Alter few moments conversation
went to the steward and directed him
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