The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-23

You're to do all the plotting of the
ship, and navigate US to where the
ships company agrees upon"
Il understand.
1--WE three live aft here, and the
ships company forrard; but all the
ships stores III be smothered, and the
cuddy provisions sprung. dye see?
likewise the grog and whatsomeyer
there may be proper to eat and drink.
We're all to be ekals, and fare and fare
alike. though the crew II obey orders
as usual. You're to have the skipper g
berth, and I'll take yourn, and the
bosom, he'll take Duckling's. That
we've all agreed on afore we went to
work, and SO l thought I'd let you
know"
well. Mr.. Stevens" 1 replied, las
l told you just now, I'll do your bid
ding. I'll take the ship to the place
YOU may name; and as 1 ha'n't play
you false Though have no notion of
your intentions), so l hope you won I
play ME false. have begged for the
stewards life, and you have promised
to spare him. And how are the two
persons we saved to..be treated?"
They're to live along with us here
All that's settled, | told yer. But L N not
SO sure about the steward. | never
made no promise about sparing him. 1"
Look herer' / exclaimed, Stelnly.
81 am capable of taking this ship to
any port you choose to name. There
! is not another man on board who could
! do this. | can keep you out Of the
track of ships, and help you in num-
Der of ways to save your necks. Do
! you understand me? But tell you, on
my oath, if you murder the steward,
if any further act of violence is COM
mitted on board this ship, IN throw
up my charge, and you may do your
worst. These are my terms, easier to
/ You than TO me. What is your answer"
He reflected a moment and replied:
'I'll talk to my mates about it.
do So" | said. Gall them aft
now. But you had betterget on deck,
as the ship wants watching. Talk to
them on the poop"
He obeyed me literally, calling to the
hands to lay aft, and l was left alone.
went into the stewards pantry,
where l found some cold meat and bis
cult and a bottle of sherry. These
things | carried to the foremost end of
the table. Somehow L did not feel
greatly concerned in the debate going
on overhead, as knew the men could
not do without me; nor did l believe
the general feeling against the steward
sufficiently strong to make them will
ing to sacrifice my services to their re-
vengeful passions.
fell to the meat and wine as greed
lily as starving man, and was eating
very heartily, when l felta touch onmy
arm. / turned hastily and confronted
the girl whom | had brought away
from the wreck. Her hair hung loose
over her shoulders, and she was as
pale as marble. But her blue eyes
were very brilliant. and fired with u
resolved and brave expression, and [
thought her beautiful is she stood be-
fore me in the lamplight with her hair
shining about her face.
Are YOU Mr.. Royle?" she asked, in
q low but most clear and sweet voice.
IL am" l replied, rising.
She took my hand and Kissed it.
You have saved my fathers lite
and mine, and l have prayed God to
bless You for your noble courage. 1
have had no opportunity to thank you
before. They would not let me see
you. The captain said you had
mutinicd and were in irons. My father
wishes to thank youths heart is so
full that he can not rest-but he is
too weak to move. Willyou come and
see him?'
She made movement toward the
cabin next the pantry.
Not now" | said. You should be
asleep, resting, after your terrible
trials"
How could I Sleep" she exclaimed.
Il have heard every thing that has
been said"
| consoled her as best | could, and
assured her that | would use my best
endeavors to protect herself and father.
At my request she finally retired to her
cabin and closed the door.
The fact that the life of this innocent
girl and her old father might depend
upon my efforts justified, in my mind.
the undertaking to pilot the ship to
some port of safety at the command
of The ruffians who had control.
took another draught of wine and en-
tered the captains cabin to inspect the
log-book.
The shadow of the mizzen-mast fell
right upon the interior as l opened the
cabin door. | looked about me for a
lamp. but was suddenly scared by the
spectacle of the steward crawling on
his hands and knees out of corner.
"Oh, my Cod" he cried in melan-
choly voice. cam to be killed? VIII
they murder me. sir? Oh, sir, tits your
power to save me! They'll obey you.
l have wife and child in England,
sir. | am miserable sinner, and not
fit to dier'
And the wretched creature burst into
tears and Crawled close to my legs and
twined his arms around them.
Go back into your corner" said.
Don't let them hear or see You. lean
make no promises, but will do my best
to save your life. Back with you now.
Be 4 man, for Gods sakei Your whin-
ing will only amuse them; be rcSolute;
and should you have TO face them,
meet them bravely."
He went crawling back to his cor
llCI, dIu L, Sccllis tHS lO2-OOOh OpcI Ou
the table, carried it under the lamp in
the cuddy. There l read off the sights
of the previous day, replaced the book
and mounted to the poop.
Day was just breaking in the east.
The sky was less threatening IN APP
pearance. but there was q smart sea Oh
and the wind had freshened. The man
at the wheel lounged in an easy atti-
tude as ifto say we are all equals now
and he was there only to oblige. There
were eight or nine seamen round the
forward skylight. and in the
cnntor Of tho fhrnncr rrn,.n tho hnnt-