The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-31
VENGEANCE.

upon which i was stationed cOHiHduueu u
view Of the harbor for many miles, While
far over the tops of the shipping there
anchored | could see the broad blue ocean
stretching away to the distant horizon. Inc
sun was setting, when, descending the hill,
l entered the town, small place, with lew
houses more than two stories in height and
irregular streets.
AsImoved toward the landing, boat
with a crew from the newly arrived craft,
probably come for provisions, struck the
wharf. The man in the stern sheets OF the
boat attracted my attention. lie was
short, stout fellow, with herculean shoul-
ders, a square. dark face and deep set eyes.
This man l had once seen an oflicera a.
board a craft, the Coral, which was
wrecked off Staten Island. He then was
second officer, and had been very cruel TO
some Of his men, for which one of them
thrashed him severely on the day after the
vessels loss. The person from whom he
suffered chastisement was strapplns
young fellow named William Ford, who
had once been seized up by this second
mate, in the mizzen rigging, and logged
within all inch Of his life.
Now, then, imagine my surprise when, IN
the same boat containing the ofilcer alluded
to. | heheld Ford. Not less than seven
wears had elapsed since the caSlaMaNs were
picked up and taken home.
What strange freak of fortune, then, had
brought the two men again together? This
question put to Ford wheE, Jumping from
the boat, he shook hands with me.
"WelI," answered Ford, laughing, Il will
tell you. | married his sister"
Ills sister,"
"Ay, ay; and a sweet wife she makes me-
have her aboard with me, for you must
know that | have got up IN the world since
you saw me last. am now third mate.
He said this laughing.
81 saved the girls life, DO you see, while
| was in New Bedford. She fell overheard
from steamboat and l foundered after
her. That was the commencement OF our
acquaintance. She invited me to call to see
her mother. | did SO and soon after we
married. Well, the joke Of it is that did
not know that the girl, bearing the name of
the man | thraShed, was his sister until
after we were married, when who should
pop in but this second mate, Mr.. Black, as
large as life. Black enough he seemed at
first but | just held out my hand when |
saw how things were ard we made it all
up. Do you want to shlp?"
| answered Yes"
well, come as harpooner; we want one
We are going north this time"
| consented aud two days after was
bowling out of the harbor in the good ship
Tempest, Captain Wilkes.
Ford'S wife was sweet creature; her age
but 10, her face was as smooth and round as
a peach She had blue black hair, deep
blue eyes, and voice like the tinkling Of a
bell.
Rer brother thought everything Of her
aud treated her with great respect. 1t
struck me, however, when l saw him and
Ford meet, that he had not forgotten the
thrashing which the young husband had
given him.
Booming along under everything we could
carry we soon were within weeks sail OF
the Sandwich Islands.
Ford" said the second mate one morn
ing, ''lay up alOft and put some more sea-
soning stuff spun yarn, etc. around the
foOtrOpe."
GAY, ay, SIR" answered Ford cheerily,
as he sprang into the rigging.
Husband" said Alice, his wife, laying
hand upon his arm, show long will you
be gone"
About an hour" he replied.
"0h, dear.' she said little pettishly,
81 do So want you to come below and read
me that book which you commenced"
Ford laughed.
"a sailor" said he, "must not neglect
his duty for the sake of reading a book to
his wife"
to Black, You will send some one else, will
you not?'
He spoke in a husky voice, and turned
"Why not?"
At this he turned to windward.
"Never mine" said he; some other time
will do
boat, coiling some line; and l sprang into
the rigging.
The second mate said "Never mind" but
l did not heed him, and ne offered no
further objection.
Arrived aloft. stepped on the foot-rope.
when, to my aStOnishment, ii Immediately
gave way. Clutchlng the yard, | narrowly
escaped falling. l craTled in-board. and
stood holding the rigging for some seconds,
unable to account for the weak state of a
foot-rope which, on the day previous, had
been perfectly strong. Then | remembered
the singular agitation Of the second male.
Was it posSibe-but no, that could not be
the case; the second mate would resort to
no such underhand trick, thought |, to get
rid OF Ford, even IL the remembrance of
his chastisement did occasionally sting him
to the quick.
With marlnespike and mallet l soon was
busy repairing damages, after which l went
below.
| had not been long down when heard
violent Stating and laundering. l rushed
on deck to discover that the jib-sheet had
parted, and that the sail was whipping
about with great fury.
the young man, who. with his wife, stood
i'll the waist, lay out, please, and pull in
that parted sheet. dare not trust any of
the crew to do it. They are green, most all
of EN- about such matters and wont know
enough to do ii in shipshape."
why, brother" exclaimed Alice, what
is it to just pull in the rope? L could do
that myself"
And before any person could prevent her
she. with merry laugh, sDrang upon the
knghtheadS and ran lightly out on the
boom.
" Hold! Oh, my God come back here,
quick 1he-the-"
Before he could say what he intended his
wild sister hal actually stepped upon the
foot-rope and caught hold of the sheet,
Never, as long as | live, shall l forget the
singular eXpressiOn-the look of absolute
horror and CONSERVATION = which now
crossed the face of the second mate. | had
scarcely time to notice it, however, when,
with swapping sound, the footrope parted
under Alice, who was thus, swift as shot,
preciptated under the roaring bows of the
ship!
screamed Black.
This exclamation astonished me. How
had he killed her?
"Oh," thought to myself, as we lowered
the starb0ard boat, the maintopSaii having
been hurled aback, Il think i understand.
He means that he ordered the going out
upon the boom, and for that reason was the
cause"
Then recalled the singular expression
had noticed on his face, and L must confess
that | was again puzzled.
Down went the boat soon after, and into
it we sea dogs tumbled. Give away" was
the order, and away we went astern. The
second mate, in the stern sheets with Ford,
strained his eyes in all directions for min
ute, but no sign of the unfortunate wife
could be discovered. At last thought
saw something shining off our lee-quarter
pointed it out and We pulled toward it. 1t
proved to be the long, bright, flowing,
golden tresses of Alice, who floated with
her face turned partly downward. We
picked her up she was white ana notion
less.
"Ah, my God! exclaimed Black. "She
is d-ad-dead- and l have killed
her"
GAY, she is dead. sure enough" howled
Fred.
Blacks eyes cleaned wildly.
"Listenl" he screamed. Il had laid
trap for you; partly severed the foot-rope
that you. in stepping on it, might go! My
purpose was baked the other time, when l
1 r. Al.s