Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-31

luASSoo, PcrnaPS you couldn't have fooled those hawk-eyed officers any other way, but you wrong me, sir you do, indeed!-when you say l wouldn't have received you had l known who you were. You don't know Aaron Willis as you will before you see Boston light The man who can dare and suffer what you have for Free Cuba-the fellow that has the blood and pluck to do what you did yesterday, and do it successfully-I 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 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 lard, 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 a beginning on. Sit down there, across the table. I've got a bottle of old Madiera 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, man. you deserve it.''
 Crawford was still standing. l "Come. sir-sit downw 1 Captain Willis, you seem to forget my position here. I can't say regret the imposition practiced to leave Ha- vana on your vessel; that was to save my life. and any one would have done 1t under like circumstances. But I felt bound to disclose it as soon as it was safe for me to do so, 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 I have told you this, 1 am simply a common sailor and poor enough one, too-on your bark. I've been a soldier, though, I carried a sword under General Lopez; but l 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 a knife into you, or throw you overboard? 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 go 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"
 ''No. the risk is too great. Your heart is in the right place, young fellow, and you're such a man as don't meet once in five years. You've done quite enough for the present; the chances yesterday were about one in a million that you'd be alive to-day, and I 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"
 "As you say."
 The friendship of the two being thus pledged. the Captain said:
 "Wait a few minutes till I 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 a few mo- ments engaged in deep thought. His whole life had been eventful, remarka- ply 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 had 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 small picture-case and opened it. In it was 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- ySN0 Al |