Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-29
CHAPTER XIV.
THE PIRATES STORY,

lighted my pipe and sat smoking, think ing he would presently awake; but his slum- Der was as deep as the stiffness l had thawed him out of had been, and he lay SO motion less that, but for his snoring and harsh breath ing 1 should have believed him lapsed into his former lifelessness.
 At o'clock the fire was very low, Ma ture was working out her own way with this Frenchman, and determined to let him sleep where he was, and take my chance of the night
 The gale made great roaring. The ships stern lay open to the gorge, and but for her steadiness might have supposed myself at sea- snugged me down amid the coats and cloaks Ill my cot, and, obstinately holding my eyes closed, ultimately fell asleep.
 It was a little after when I awoke. 1 lighted the lantern, but upon entering the passage that lead to the cabin I observed by my own posture that the schooner had not only heeled more to larboard, but was far ther 'down by the stern" to the extent of several feet. Indeed, the angle of inclina- tlon was now considerable enough to bring my shoulder Gin the passage) close against the starboard side when stood erect The noise of the gale was still in the air, and the boom- ing and boiling of the sea was uncommonly loud walked straight to the cook room, and, putting the lantern to the Frenchman, perceived that he was still in a heavy sleep, and that he had lain through the night pre- cisely in the attitude in which had left him. His face was so untitled that little more than his long hawks bill nose was discernible It was freezingly cold, and I made haste to light the fire. There was still coal enough in he corner to last for the day, and before long the furnace was burning cheerfully. went to work to make some broth and fry l some ham, and melt little block of ruby colored wine; and while thus occupied turn ing my head a moment to look at the French man, found him half started up staring in- tently at me.
 This sudden confrontment threw me into such confusion that I could not speak He moved his head from side to side, taking a view of the scene, with an expression of the most inimitable astonishment painted upon his countenance He then brought the flat of his hand with dramatic blow to his fore head, the scar on which showed black as ink to the fire glow, and sat erect. "Where have I beenp he exclaimed in French.
 ''Sir," said I, speaking with the utmost difficulty, 'I do not understand your lan- guage. I am English. You speak my tongue Will you address me in its'
 "EnSllSl!" ne eXC1d1IQeu Ill EngllSh, drop | ping his head on one side, and peering at me with an incredible air of amazement. "How came you here? You are not of our com l pany? Let me see'- Here he struggled with recollection, continuing to stare at me from under his shaggy eyebrows as if I was l some frightful vision.
 ''I am a shipwrecked British mariner, |" said I, s'and have been cast away upon this ice, where found your schooner" "Ha!" he interrupted, with prodigious vehemence, 'certainly; we are frozen up-I remember. That sleep should serve my memory so" He made as if to rise, but sat again. s'The cold is numbing; it would weaken lion. Give me hot drink, sir"
 filled pannikin with the melted wine, which he swallowed thirstily.
 "More!" cried he. "I seem to want life. :" 1 Again filled the pannikin.
 l "Good!' said he, fetching a sigh, as he re- turned the vessel; ''you are very obliging, sir. If you have food there we will eat to- gether."
 I give the substance of his speech, but not his delivery of it; nor is it necessary that I should interpolate my rendering with the French words he used.
 The broth being boiled, gave him good | bowl of it along with plate or bacon and 1 tongue, some biscuit and Pannlkln of hot brandy and water, all which things put upon his knees as be sat upon the mattress; and to it he fell, making rale meal Yet all the while he ate be acted lke a man be- witched. as we'll he might, starring at ne end looking round and round him, and then drop ping his knite to strike his b10w. as if by