Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-09-18
CHAPTER TX.
A STRANGE VOYAGE

noon. l had heard the church clocks strik-
ing ten when l first stood on the deck Of the
yacht. My Imprisonment, which seemed to
have lasted for an age. had really so far con-
tinued for rather less than three hours. The
panic-for l can call it nothing else, though
it is with shame that I make the Confession
into which I had been thrown when I first
knew that we were putting out to sea sub.
sided with q suddenness that surprised even
myself. Perhaps it was the calm of despair
that took possession of my breast. At all
events I succeeded for the moment in drivin:
all agitating ideas out of my mind. l as
sumed the airs Of a philosopher. I could not
help myself, it was certain; and why, there
fore, should I continue to expend my strength
in fruitless attempts to battle my fatea For
tended to me. 1t would be wiser, therefore,
to accept the situation and await events.
Full of this new composure, I began to
take notice. Of the fact that I was hungry,
and that food was at my elbow. turned
to the table and observed there for the first
time that which I ought to have seen before.
Guards had been put upon the table before
the food was to have been placed on it, so
that even the bottles were kept in their
places despite the heavy rolling of the
vessel.
l satisfied my hunger, and ~then-why,
then l remembered the cigar box. I re-
membered, too, that I had in my pocket a
box of wax matches. In another minute I
was lying on the couch, in as easy a posi-
ton as it was possible to maintain under the
motion of the vessel, enjoying one of the
very best cigars I had ever smoked.
shall not inflict upon my readers all the
phases of the long, deep reverie in which I
INDUCED while one cigar after another van
ished in smoke. At times I awoke as from a
dream to a sense of the extraordinary and
alarming position in which l found myself,
and then l rose and rushing to the door
shook it violently, to see whether by any
accident it might have been opened as I lay
in silence on my couch. But for the most
part l maintained the composure which fell
upon me after I knew that we were fairly
out at sea, and allowed my fancy to run riot
i'll those imaginary meetings with my darl-
ing which form the solace of all absent low
erS.
By and by the gloom of my room grew
deeper and I knew that night was stealing
on. I struck a match and looked at my
watch. It was five o'clock. These four hours
had passed more quickly, and despite the
gale which the ship was en~countering, far
more comfortably than the three hours that
had elapsed between my capture and the
commencement of our voyage. was think
ing somewhat wofully of the long hours of
darkness which now lay before me, when
noiselessly a flood of silvery light filled the
cabin. Startled by its sudden appearance, 1
looked up, only to discover that an electric
light was shining above my head in its pear
shaped glass. 1t was only when this hap
pened and when l felt all the comfort of be-
ing at last able to survey my abode at case
for the artificial light was far brighter than
the natural one had been-that I realized the
striking apprehension with which I had re-
garded the prospect of a night spent in alb
solute darkness in such q place.
IF l only had a book now" I said to N.Y.
self, "and-why yes, l should really enjoy n
cup of tea. Surely the millionaire would
not begru lge me that if he knew how much
I should relish it!'
Hardly had the words passed my lips than
I heard the click of a key, and then saw
that the little trap in the door had been
opened and that Flinter was regarding me
with u sardonic smile upon his ugly face.
All authorities on the subject are agreed as
to the surprising effect which solitary con-
fhlement has in tanning a mans spirits. I
found now that the authorities were right.
Instead of making a wild dash at the spot
where the ill-omencd countenance of INV
captor was visible, l sat still and merely in
dulged myself with a silent stare of disdain
in return for his grin of derision.
He shifted audibly, inhaling tho fumes of
tobacco with which my little room was
filled.
Enjoying yourself pretty we'll, it seems
to ME. You do right. No good in kicking
when you can only hurt yourself by it. Be-
civil and quiet and you won't DO kept SO
long perhaps as you suppose where you are
nov. l came to see if you would like some
dinner"
"Dinner!" I said. II thought the meat
you left for me was intended for my dinner:
and really found it very good" Seeing
that l had given up for the present the
thought of trying violence, I felt it better to
keep up in his presence the air of philosophic
coclness which l had adopted for my own
comfort.
mo; lunch," he replied, sententiously.
You'll have good victuals here if you only
behave yourself. If you give mo your prom
Use to keep quiet, ri bring you your dinner
as soon as it is ready"
Ihesitated for q moment, troubled by the
thought of keeping any terms with such a
'uftian. but then l somewhat sullenly gave
,im the promise he asked. He Immediately
disappeared.
In about half an hour he returned, and,
throwing open the door, entered with a tray,
which he balanced as the ship rolled as
.leverly as a steward on board a Cunard
liner could have done. In a surprisingly
short space Of time he had cleared away the
emains of my morning meal, and had laid
1pon the table a dinner such as few captives,
| venture to say, are INDUCED with.
ships rolling too much for me to bring
you any soup; but there's fish and outlets and
partridge. cheese and celery, and q pint of
champagne. It's as good a dinner, I bet, as
you would have got in Scarborough"
VERY good, indeed, I am sure. 1t is of
why l am here;" he shook his head; ''but at
least you might tell me where l am going"
N use asking questions" he responded,
shortly. Because why: I never answer
EN-. So that's plain. But if you keep quiet,
IS I've told you already, you shall be as we'll
served with food and drink as if yodAwere
the old mar himself. Now is there anything
more you wantF'
II should like a book to read"
"A book! Oh, yes; if that is all, you shall
soon have a book. Bless me-, I'll bring you
an armful the next time I come, if only it
will keep you quiet"
he left me to partake of my dinner in soli-
tude. did justice to it, and despite my UNI
pleasant situation and my dislike, not to say
Tread, OF the ruffian who was responsible for
my Imprisonment, l felt almost cheerful
when he presently returned, carrying nearly
3 dozen volumes in his arms, in addition to
some blankets for my use during the night.
, "There's honks for von!" he said. tumbling