The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-02

Yesterday, and do it successfully
tell YOU, sir, he's welcome to my
friendship all his life and my life, if he
will have it,
The Captains eyes moistened with
the warmth of his enthusiasm. Henry
Crawford was greatly moved by it, and
strongly returned the grasp of his
| hand.
"Now, my lad" said the Captain,
"when have run up on deck for a mo-
ment to see if every thing is going on
right with those devils for ard. I'll
have long talk with you here. You'll
want to tell me all about yourself, and
l surely want to hear it. Talk about
not wanting you along! Why, you're
Just the man l want to help me man.
age my rascally crew that you saw me
make so good beginning on. Sit
down there, across the table. I've got
a bottle of old MADEIRA in one of my
lockers, and before you begin We'll
drink to the memory of brave Lopez,
the freedom of Cuba and the good
health of that young daredevil, Harry
Crawford. Tut-don't blush, mani
you deserve it. y
Crawford was still standing.
"Come, sir-sit DOWN.
Captain Willis, you seem to forget
my position here. ! can't say l regret
the imposition practiced to leave Ha-
vana on your vessel; that was to save
my life, and any one would have done
it under like circumstances. But l felt
bound to disclose it as soon as it was
safe for me to do 80, and also to tell
you that you can rely on me to stand
by you on this voyage, just the same
as you can rely on the mate and Dick
Purvis. Now that 1 have told you
this, am simply common sailor
and poor enough one, too-on your
bark. I've been a soldier, though, 1
carried sword under General Lopez;
but know what authority and obedi-
ence are. My place is forward. sir
'Your place is here in this cabin,
just now, and till the end of the voy-
age. A fiddlestick on your scruples,
sir! You saw me teach that rabble on
deck this morning who was Captain;
and by -, sir, I'd have you to know
it, too!''
Crawford smiled at the Captains
good-natured rudeness, about half of
which he saw was assumed, and no
longer hesitated to sit down.
"And hadn't it occurred to you,"
continued the Captain, as he placed
the bottle and glasses on the table,
"that some of those rascals would be
likely to stick knife into you, or
throw you overheard? You couldn't
make them believe very long that you
was ever of their kind
beg your pardon, sir-but there's
where you're mistaken. I'm pretty
good actor, as you must have noticed
by this time. Let me 60 back among
the crew, and in twenty-four hours you
shall know just what they want to do.
and when they propose to do it,
mo, the risk is too great. Your
heart is in the right place, young fellow,
and you're such man as don't meet
once in five years. You've done quite
enough for the present; the chances
yesterday were about one in million
that you'd be alive to-day. and 1 pro-
pose to have you take care of yourself
now. Here's your glass; drink hearty,
now, the toast gave YOU"
provided you'll add to it the safety
of your good ship and long life to her
MASTER
Gas you say"
The friendship of the two being thus
pledged, the Captain said:
"Wait few minutes till look at
the deck and alter the course. and then
you shall tell me all you choose to about
yourself"
I've nothing to conceal; you shall
hear the whole, SIR"
After the Captain had gone, Henry
Crawford sat quietly for few mo-
ments engaged in deep thought. His
whole life had been eventful, remarka-
bly, so; and the experience of the last
month. the last week, the last two
days, were such as befall very few men.
he rapidly reviewed them, and then
turned to his present situation. He
was young, hope was naturally buoy
ant in his breast. and gentler thoughts
soon possessed him. We should like
to think him a truthful person. but
when he told Captain Willis that he
mad nothing to conceal, he certainly
did not tell the whole truth. From an
inside pocket of his vest-the left side
OF course-he took a small picture-case
and opened it. In it was a daguerreo.
type. such as was produced in those
days; the picture of very sweet and
very lovely young woman, with dark
brown hair and deep blue eyes, cheeks
OF beautiful pink and white, and a
smile which made the heart of the dar-
ing young patriot beat faster as he re-
membered it. just then he heard the
Captains feet descending the stairs: he
pressed his lips to the pictured face
and replaced it next his heart, where f.
had lain in all his perils.
The table was quite near the half
opened door OF the cuddy, and Craw-
lords chair was still nearer. In his
eagerness to hear and see all that &C.
CURED, the concealed listener had left
.ne sheiler OF the curtain and now stood
oehind this door. Peering around it,
ms eyes were not five feet from Craw-
ford's hand as he leaned h;s 49,.