Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-27
THE GREAT Rl}Dy OP GEYLON
 RY "ln
Book l.-TnE QUEST OF THE GREAT RUBY

s'I landed" aaid my companion, ".from Ceylon the 12lh day of July. in the ship Mary Jane, bound for Liverpool. Conse- quentlv, if Ezekiel Tr owoth sailed in the Belle Fortune we couldn very well have been in the same ship, and that's logic" said he, turning to me for the first time with a watery and uncertain smile, but quickly withdrawing his eyes to their old occupation. l But he had lifted great load from my heart, so that for very joy at knowing my father was not among the crew of the Mary Jane l could not speak for a time but sat watching his face, and thinking how should question him next.
 Sailed in the Mary Jane, bound for Liver 1 pool, sailed along with-never mind who. And | his boys Ezekiel Trenoweth son. and knew him we'll" Well, it's q strange world. To think of him being deadi" looking at the cap which he had taken off his head. What father dead?" No my lad. t'other chap; him as this cap belonged to. An he was devil. he was. Can't fancy him dead, somehow; seemed as though the water wasn't made as could have drowned him always said he was born for the gallows, and joked about. But he's gone this time, and I've got his cap. 'Tis hard though that I should outlivc him; but curse him, I've done it. and here's the cap for proof-why, what l the devil is the lad staring at?' ! | for a moment to look across Polkimhra Beach, when suddenly my eyes were arrested and my heart again set violently boating by a sight that almost make me doubt whether the events | of the morning were no still part Of a wild and distorted dream. For there at about fifty Fyarts distance. and advancing along the | breakers edge was another man, dressed like my compathon, aud also watching the sea. ! " Whats the matter. boy? Speak, cant you" 1 tI, I e ,1, 1,,T1't iC he ;all and dark? '
 His terrible excitement was dreadful. l thought l should have to shrick with pain so 1 tightly did he clutch me, but found voice to answer:
 Yes. he seems tall and dark, too, though cant well see at---'
 " Has he got earrings?"
 II cant see: but he walks with stoop, and seems to have q sword or something slung round his waist"
 :" God defend us! that's hel Curse him, curse him! Lie down-lie down, sayl It's death if he catches sight of us l We cowed against the rock. My compan- | ion $ face was lived, and his lips worked as though fingers were plucking at them, but | madc no sound. I never saw such ablect, hopeless terror. We waited thus for full minute. and then I peered over the ledge | again.
  | was still watching the sea. At his side hung q short sheath empty. I could not we'll see his face but the rings in his ears glstened in the 1 sunlight.
 | drew back cautiously, for my companion was plucking at my jacket. | "Listcn he said and his hoarse voice was sunk so low that I could scarcely catch his words. Listen! If he catches us it's death -doath to me, but perhaps he may lot you of, though he's cod-blooded, murderous devil. However, there's no saying but you might get | If. Any way it'll be safest for you to have this. Here, take it quick, and stow it away in vour jacket, as he cant see it. For the love | of God look sharp"
 Hc took something out of a pocket inside his shirt and forced it into my hands. What 1 it was I could not see, so quickly he made me hide if in my jacket But I caught glimpse of something that looked like brass, and the 1 packet was hard and heavy 1 Its death. I say; but you may be lucky. If he does for me, swear you'll never give it
 up to him. Take your Bible oath you'll never do that. And look here; if I'm lucky enough | to get off swear you'll give it back. Swear it. | Say Strike me blind!'"
 He clutched me again. Shaking and trem- bling gave the promlse | And look, here's letter; put it away and read it after If he does for me, curse him. you keep what I've given you. 1es, keep it :; l il $ my last will and testament, upon my soul.
 But you ought to go half shares with little Jenny; you ought, you know. You'll find out 1 where she lives in that there letter. But you'll never give it up to him. Swear it. Swear it 1 again
 | Again promised.
 Mind you, if you do, I'll haunt you. I'll l curse you dying, and that's an awful thing to 1 happen to man. Look over again. He mayn't be coming; perhaps he'll go through to the next beach, and then we'll run for it.' 1 Again l peercd over, but drew back as if shot, for just below me was black head with 1 glittering earrings, and Its owner was steadily coming up the path towards us.