The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-02

NhEJ tuecI OF the NOFus Sne nau SPOKEN TO
him that his feelings toward her were I'M
changed
Mr.. Clifford was a light-hearted young
man aud did his share in keeping up con-
versation, and many laugh rose from the
stern of the boat, startliI z the men forward,
who muttered angry assertions TO each
other that the passengers must have got
secret store of water of their own. They
had kept night and dav a watch upon the
cask and were assured that it was never
touched except when the rations we're
drawn and served out night and morning
i'll equal quahtiti G. all.
In the evening Constance always started
a hymn. the others lning in. After half
an hours singing. M. Solden ffe ell up a
short prayer that help might be forthc5m-
ing, and That they might be saved from the
perils that surrounded them.
Forward there was for the most part
taken TO drinking sea water, which, though
giving temporary relief, enormously in
creased their sufferings
On the twelfth day of the voyage two OF
the negroes became delirious and jumped
overheard, aud on the next day one of the
Lascars and another of the Seedy boys died
Constancs implored Mr.. Solden to in
crease the allowa zoe of water
I'VE can bear 1t, Mr.. Soldeu, because we
are patient aud because we know that we
are in Gods hands, but those p Jor creatures
have nothing to sustain Them"
II am sorry for them, the engineer said,
"but they have the same chance of life as
we have and l won't throw away what
chances We have. Ii Is possible to support
life on the allowance We have. II they
choose to throw away their chance by their
own mad conduct in drinking sea water.
they must do so; but they shan't throw
away ours. You agree with me, gentle
menF ~
Entirely" Philip and Mr.. Clifford said
at once.
"You see, young lady" Mr.. Solden went
on. "they ought TO suffer less than we do
instead of more, for they are accustomed to
hot climate, and do not feel the heat az
we do"
All this time a vigilant lookout had been
kept for a sail, but the line of the horizon
remained unbroken, and one of the party
aft watched by night as we'll as by day
against any sudden movement on the part
of the men forward.
On the fourteenth day Mr.. Solden, stand
ing up TO look round as usual, uttered an
exclamation of Joy.
There is dark line on the water TO the
west" he said "Thank God. there is a
breeze coming. Now, men, he SAID, cheer
fully, ''get down the awning, lash the sail
onto the yard aud get it up. MIR. Clifford,
do you take my pistol, and | will 60 for
ward and lend hand"
In few minutes the sail was hoisted,
though several of the crew were too ex-
hausted to be able to assist.
1t was another half.hour before the
breeze reached them. 1t was very light,
but sufficient to fill the sail aud make this
boat move through the water.
The ladies' awning was also taken down
to enable them to get the full benefit OF the
breeze. For three or four hours the boat
glided along, and the spirits of the ere v
rose. and they took their rations of water
with more cheerfulness than usual, and two
or three took biscuit though for the last
three days these had been untouched.
II am afraid" the engineer said, stand
ing up on the boxes TO get wider view,
that we shall lose this little breeze before
long; but you must not be dlshsartened,
ladies, the change has set in, aud we may
reply upon wind before long.
BY IL o'clock the light air had entirely
died away. The disappointment of the
natives was extreme, and although Mr.
SOlden tried to raise their spirits by the
same assurance that ne had given to tho
ladies, it was useless. Some OF ths men
threw themselves down at the bottom Of
the boat others sat rocking themselves
back wards and forwards, grooming and
crying at intervals.
"Pray give them an extra ration, Mr..
Soden," Cons ance pleaded. "You say we
may hope for wind now, so surely we can
afford quarter Of pint eacnn
"Wel | think we may,n the officer
agreed; land we will put a spoonful Of rum
in each allowance. | have heen keeping
that for bad weather, and we can spare il
very we'll"
There was cry of Joy from the men
when Mr.. Solden announced that an extra.
allowance would be served out, and one by
one they came forwaid and drank their gill
of weak grog; some tossing it off at gulp,
others slipping it little by little. To three
men who were too weak to raise themselves
Philip carried their allowance. as the men
could not be trus ed TO pass it forward.
The rest of the day passed slowly, no signs
Of another puff of wind in their vicinity
were to be seen, but Mr. Solden several
times made out light flaws of air In the dis
lance and assured them that there was every
prospect of wind before many hours were
over
That night Philip kept the first watch.
from o'clock to ~ o'clock, Mr.. Solden
the middle watch, and at 4 o'clock Mr.. Gift
ford took up the duty
Two hours later Philip was aroused from
his sleep by a loud cry aud heavy fall.
He sprang to his feet. The TIA ives we're
pouring aft. He took the situation In at a
glance, Gift )rd must have DICED on lis
watch, aud the natives had seized tne oppor-
tunity.
They were headed by two of the Lascars,
the leading man had struck down young
Clifford, and with bound had taro Sn him
self upon the engineer. Philip saw his
knife descend, just as Mr.. Solden struggled
t. his feet, d as he sank back again and
his assalant lifted his hand to strike az ain,
Philip closed wi b HIM, grasping the arm
that held the knife with one hand. He
heard a scream from Constance, vino had
torn dow the rug that served as an avn
ing, and sprung TO her feet, and he saw an
other Lascar with uplifted knife close upon
him.
By desperate effort he hurled the man
new conner Just as his knife descended,
sending him aggering back, and the next
moment flung his assassin overheard. At
the same instant the engineers revolver
cracked. and the second m IN fell dead.
Tie sound recalled to Philip the weapon
in his POCKET. La nome 1t iG vas on land
two sharp reports sounded, and the nearest
of the Seedy boys fell Tine rest, with a
yell for mercy, dropped tneir knives and
threw themselves down. At this moment
Constance joi ed Philip, holding MIR. Solden's
revolver in her hand.
st is ali over now, Constance. | knew
ne SHOULD we 1t sooner or later. We shall
have no more trouble with those fellows.n
"You are wounded. Philip"
"Tnere Is no great harm DONE" he said.
sit is only gasn on the shoulder. ! wish