Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-03-22
CHAPTER NVII.

When his pipe was out he rose and maGa
several strides about tho cook ROOM then took
tho lantern, and, entering the cabin, stood
awhile surveying the place.
80 this would have been my coffin but
Cor you, Mr.. Rodnevm said he Il was in
good company, though pointing over his
shoulder at the crucitix with his thumb.
Lord, how the rogues prayed and cursed
in this same cabinl In fine weather and
when all was well, the sharks in our wake
had more religion than they; but the instant
they were in danger, down they tumbled
epon their quiveIing knees; and if heaven
was twice as big as it is, it could not have
held saints enough for those varlets to petit
ton
? You were nearly oil Spaniardsr'
"Ay-the worst class of men ship could
enter these seas with But for our calling
they are the fittest of all the nations in the
world; better even than the Portuguese and
with truer trade instincts than the trained
mulatto-nlmblcr artists in roguery than
ever a one Of them l despise their supe,sti-
ton, but they are the better pirates for if.
They carry it as a man might a featherbed:
it enables them to fall soft. "D'ye take me.,
He gave one of his short, loud laughs, and
said, Il hope this slope won't increase The
angles stiff enough as it is. Twill be like
IFAlS Oh une TOOL OF a mouse. l have a mind
to see how she lies. What dye say, Mr..
Rodneys Shall | venture into the openYn
why not.n said l. You can move
brskly. You have as much life as ever Won
had
Lets so, then!' he exclaimed, and climb
ing the ladder he pushed open the companion
door and stepped on to the deck. l followed
with but little solicitude, as YOU NAV SUBJ
pose, as to what might attend his exposure.
The blast Of the gale, though it was broken
into downward, eddying dartings by the
rocks, made HIM bawl cut with the sting of
1t, and for some moments he could think of
nothing but the cold, stamping the deck in
his boots and beating his hands.
"Ha" cried he, grinning to the smart of
his cheeks, this is not the cook room, eh2
Great thunder! you will not have it that this
ice has been drifting north' Why, man, It's
icier by 20 degs. than when we were first
locked up"
Il hope not" said 7, "and 1 think not.
Your blood doesn't course strong yet, and
you are fresh from the furnace. Besides it
is blowing bitter cold gale Look at that
sky, and listen to the thunder of the sea!n
Tho cOmmoton was indeed terribly up
roarious, The rending noises Of the ice in all
directions were distinct and fearful The
Freuchman looked about him with conster-
! nation, and to my surprise crossed himself
May the blessed Virgin preserve u.s. he
said. do you say we have drifted northa
If this is not the very heart of the South
Pole, you shall persuade me we are on the
equator"
1T cannot storm too terribly for us, us
you just now said" replied. Il want this
island to go TO pieces"
As / said this a solid pillar Of ice Just be-
yond the brow Of the hill on the starboard
side was dislodged or blown down; it fell
with mighty crash, and filed the air with
crystal splinters. Tassard started back with
faint cry of Bon Dieu"
Judge for yourself how the ship lies,n
said |; this is freezing work"
He went aft and looked over the stern.
then walked to the larboard rail and peerei
over the side.
SIS there ice beyond that openingm no
asked pointing over the tatrrail.
"No," answered; that goes TO the sea.
/ There is low cliff beyond, Mark that cloud
of white; it is the spray hurled athwart the
mouth of this hollow
"Good," he mumbled, with his teeth chat
tering. THE change is marvellous. There
was ice for quarter of mile where that
slope ends, IT'S too cold to converse here"
There are your companions said I,
pointing to the two bodies lying a little dis
| lance before the mainmast
He marched up to them and exclaimed,
! ayes, this is Trentanove and that is BarroS
Both were blind, but they are binder now.
Would they thank you to arouse them out
of their comfortable sleep, and force them to
feel as ISo-this cold, to which they are now
as nsensible as l vast BY heaven, for my
part can stand it no longer!" and with that
! he ran brisSly to the hatch.
followed him to the cook room, and he
crept so close to the furnace that l thought
he had mind to roast himself.
The heat comforted him presently, and he
put lump of wine into the oven to melt,
and this comfortoa him also.