Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-10
CHAPTER VIII,
THE "CLEoPATRA.n D

90, W1Cn a br1ClSn VIII that made the row. locks creak like an iron door swinging on harsh hinges, the oarsmen in the Cleopatra's boat flung their backs at the facing spray, and drove the wedge of their boats bow into the blast of the wind and the ebon hills in their path
 Right under the moon, and in the broken simmer of it on the water, lay the man-of- war brig lowing to the land like some rest less colt f1inging furious heels at the wind
 Urged by six heavy blades, the boat ate her way stubbornly; dashing the surging spray in sheets and souses until she was awash, and the backs of the men lustrous for the drenching.
 Meanwhile Cuthbert had recovered the use of his brain, thanks to copious splashing, soon after the boat showed off.
 Beholding the stars and flying clouds, and feeling the jump and wobble of the sea in the strain and ache of his own timbers, he inn mediately comprehended the dreadful char acter of the misfortune that had befallen him, and raising his voice attempted to address himself to the young gentleman in the cloak who was steering the boat, but was instantly silenced by a kick and a promise of a fogging if he opened his lips.
 "You cannot be aware" began Cuthbert.
 "Hold your jaw, you lubberl"-here came the kick.
 
 By the Lord, you shall be logged until your back is as green as your brains, you villain, if you move your tongue againW
 So there was no help for Cuthbert but to resign himself to broken-hearted contempla- tion of this bitter divorce from the woman of his love; and with his hands bound he re- clined, knawing his lips with misery, and watching with distracted eyes the land they were leaving, while the foam flew in his face and the gale in his ear howled down every movement of hope.
 In this condition of mind was he when the boat went rolling alongside the brig.
 It was something to see the big and brist- ling hull stoop to the upward leap of the boat. It was as though a mother leaned down to embrace her little one.
 Briskly the crew handed up the prisoners; then sounded the keen pipe of the boatswain; and while the boat scared to the davits the pawls of the capstan jerked out music on the gale like the hammerjng on an anvil while the furnace roars. With quick leaps and runs, and the disciplined rush, and the steady pulls of the men-of-wars men, the anchor was cat-headed, the yards dropped their dim spaces of canvas, round swept the shore lights, and down lay the cruiser to the wind. And then you heard the squattering of plowed froth humming at the bows, and shrieking of big sails in the high gloom
 The four impressed men were left standing near the foot of the mainmast, under the eye of the marine. The business of getting under way was achieved with the swiftness that war time teaches, and all the wind whistline of pipe, the brig being snug in less time than a woman takes to brush her hair. While the shore lights were veering into a faint line upon the quarter, and the great foreland lamp was thrusting its red flame among the cloudy stars we'll to the right, a brawny fellow came to the prisoners with a battle lantern swinging in his grasp, and made them visible group.
 Then approached two men from the oppo. site quarter of the deck, and the lantern flashed in the bullion and buttons of uniforms. Behind them stood others and forward was crowd of seamen staring at the four men and this was the picture of the deck, adding to it the details of 8 savage row of carronades, black as ink in the watery moonshine.
 "Are these your men, MT. Towplank2" said one of the uniform wearers, the tone of whose voice was as good warrant of his office as epaulets. ts
 "Yes, Sir Peter, four of them, sir," replied the young gentleman who had done Cuthbert the honor to impress him.
 "Wel, you look likely men, my lads; and ] suppose you don't require me to tell you that you are wanted to serve the king, and fight his majesty's enemies? There is glory and prize money to be got if you do your duty and. as British seamen, you'll never want me to tell you what your duty is, hope"
 With which flourish Captain Sir Peter Grahame, Bart, in command of Fl. M S Cleopatra, was about to slew himself round on his heel to go aft, when one of the mer spoke up.
 "If you blaze, sir, me name is Matthew Murphy, and I'm an I1nirikin. Your honor therefore persaves that's not mo duty te | fight for the king God bless himW l "Ah. I see-an American, born in Kill kenny"
 "Indade, then, your honor, was born ir Galway" responded Murphy, at which mur l derous admission there vent smothering o1 laughter among the meH forward l Hereupon Cuthbert spoke
 q have to represent to you that am not sailor. sir. My father is Dr. Shaw, of tht Greystone school. Your officer has com mitted an error in impressing me"
 This had in it the matter of rebuke, ane was trifie downright for the quarter-decl hearing: but then it was delivered in sof and cultured voice, and he who spoke it with figure lighted up by the flare of tn, battle lantern, and handsome face showing looked like gentleman.
 Sir Peter gazed at him inquisitiveiy.