The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-15
CHAPTER TX
A SAIL RIGHT AHEAD.

A SAIL HlGHt AHEAD.
Much, undeniably, 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 chance lit might bel to
send his story to Jenny. Scarce could ne
hold up his head pleasantly as Transom tried
to rally him. Indeed, he was no philosopher;
or rather, he was n 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
pained and heavy eyes closed, and then for
q while the poor fellow forgot his 7orrows in
sleep.
The bell on deck was striking when he
awoke While he was dressing q marine
presented himself.
"The first Ieutenant's compliments, sir,
and when you are dressed you will breakfast
with him." said the man, rs erect as sentry
III his box on the deck that kept Cuthbert
staggering.
This invitation was, Of course, promptly
accepted, and in few minutes Cuthbcrt fol-
lowed the marine into large cabin with q
ceiling garllished with small arms stout
lockers around their Seats charts on the
walls, and q table laid for breakfast. Here
he found the first and second lieutenants.
Both mon were iinc specimens Of naval Of
ficers of those days-thc days of Cochrane
md Strachan-Transom in middle age, and
the other young, but both with hard, stern
lines of resolution carved i'll their em-
Drowned faces both with the hearty, open
look of brave spirits, dressed in uniforms
that srnelt Of gunpowder, and ono OF them
with cutlass scar behind his oar, and the
other of them with two stumps for fingers on
his right hand.
They salutcd Cuthbert with blunt polite
ness, and, breakfast being served, invited
him "to fall to at once, for we arc rising the
ROYALS of a big ship right ahead, says Tran-
som. sand whenever there's anything visible
on the horizon we always accept it as Il hint
to bear hand in slowing ballast
"How the deuce came young Towplank to
take YOU for n seaman!" exclaimed the second
lieutenant, scrutinizing Cuthbcrt ndmirlngly
"If there was moon enough to see your hands
by they should have satisfied him that you
were not his man, supposing him sober"
"Hc was sober enough explained to
YOUR captain that this midshipman gavo me
no chance of representing myself" replied
Cuthbert. II can only trust that Sir Peter
Grahame will put me ashore soon-any-
where"
Transom looked grave, but said: "Well,
we'll, there's no telling what will turn up.
When your people find yor missing, be sure
they'll start on such hunt after you os 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 tho Cleo
patra rs the reason of your sudden vanish
;ng" A question that Frightened up tho
poor fellow wonderfully.
Down to the flying wind was the Cleo
patra, stopping with leaning bow, ripping
up the breast of the water rs dog santS his
head to make better lever of his jaw The
mighty press of sail filed the blue sky over
head with thunder, and the base OF the
sweeping tower Of canvas was an acre or
foam
Sir Peter Grahame paced tho deck aft
with telescope which from time to time ne
leveled at some object ahead; he bowed to
Cuthbert lut seemed too preoccupicd to
speak. \ crowd Of men were on 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 camo to Cuthbert,
after exchanging u few words with tho
captain.
"There is Il sail yonder," he said, (which
VIC have reason to believe is the Guerrierc.
If she shows French colors we shall fight her.
We are rising her fast, for nothing cal stand
against the Cleopatra OH Il bovine, and Sir
Peter has instructed NE to request that you
will 20 below and remain there on the order
being given to clear for action"
"Mr Trallsom, hope Sir Peter will not
insist on my going below. may be OF use
OH deck, and am willing TO fight with the
NEIL"
"Wcll spoken, Mr.. Shaw, and generous
offer" replied Transom, glancing with a
smile ut Cuthbcrt'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 q Observation-Disclosures
haps an East Indiameg 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 tho mon 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 mizzen topSail
yard is down on the cap. Now she hoist:
her colors! They are-oh, confound this jog
giug!-they are-they are
"French!' shouted Sir Peter, and down
spranS the first lieutenant, and in q trice
there was shrill whistling and quick move
ment among the men, and coming and
going, and then steady stand.
Gro EE CONTlNTED.)