San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-09


tramp in the dirt beside their men, shame
them by their constancy. This was well to
be observed in the present instance, for here
were Ballantrae and |, two gentlemen of the
highest breeding, on the one hand, and on
the other, Grady, a common mariner, and
man nearly giant in physical strength. The
case Of Dutton is not i'll point, for confess he
did as well as any of us.
But as for Grady, he began early to lament
his case, Tailed in the rear, refused to carry
buttons packet when it came his turn,
clamored continually for rum Cof which we
had too little, and at last even threatened us
from behind with cooked pistol, unless we
should allow him rest. Balantrae would
have fought it out believe; but prevailed
with him the other way; and We made
stop and eat a meal 1t seemed to benefit
Grady little: he was in the rear again at
once, growing and bemoaning his lot; and
at last by some carelessnesS, not having fol-
lowed properly in our tracks, stumbled into
a deep part of the slough where it was mostly
water, gave some very dreadful screams, and
before we could come to his aid, had sunk
along with his booty His fate and above all
these screams of his appalled, us to the SOUL
yet it was on the whole Il fortunate circum-
stance and the means of our deiverance
For it moved Dutton to mount into a tree
whence he was able to perceive and to show
me, who had climbed after him, high piece
of the wood which was a landmark for the
path He went forward the more carelessly,
| must suppose; for presently we saw him
sink little down, draw up his feet and sink
again, and so twice. Then he turned his
face to us, pretty white.
Lend hand" said he, II am in a bad
place"
Il don't know about that" says Ballantrae,
standing still
button broke out into the most violent
oaths, sinking little lower as he did, so
that the mud was nearly to his waist; and
plucking pistol from his belt, Help me,'
he cries, 'or die and be damned to your
Nay" says Ballantrae, Il did but jest.
| am coming" And he set down his own
packet and buttons, which he was then car
rying. DO not venture near till we see if
you are needed" said he to me- and went
forward alone to where the man was begged.
He was quiet now, though he still held the
pistol; and the marks of terror in his coun-
tenanCe were very moving to behold.
"For the Lords sake says he, look
sharp"
still, says he, and seemed to consider; and
then Reach out both your hands,"
Dutton laid down his pistol, and so watery
was the top surface that it went clear out of
sight; with an oath he stopped to snatch it,
and as he did so, Ballantrae leaned forth and
stabbed him between the shoulders Up went
his hands over his head, know not whether
with the pain or to ward himself, and the
next moment ne doubled forward in the mud.
Ballantrae was already over the ankles, but
he plucked himself out and came back to me,
where | stood with my knees shifting one an
other. The devil take you, Francis!" says
he, Il believe you are half-hearted fellow
after all. have only done justice on a
pirate. And here we are quite clear of the
Sarah! Who shall now say that we have
dipped our hand in any Irregularities?
| assured him he did me injustice; but my
sense of humanity was 50 much affected by
the hOrridnesS Of the fact that could scarce
find breath to answer with.
Come" said he. ''you must be more ~
solved. The need for this fellow ceased when
he had shown you where the path ran, and
you cannot deny would have been daft to
let slip so fair an opportunity"
We struck the path without further mis-
adventure, and the same night, about sun
down, came to the edge of the morass.
We were too weary to seek far; on some
dry sands, still warm with the days sun, and
close under wood of pines, we lay down and
were instantly plunged in sleep
We awaked the next morning very early,
and began with sullen spirit a conversation
shat came near to end in blows We we're
now cast on shore in the southern provinces,
thousands Of miles from any French settle
ment; dreadful journey and thousand
perlls lay In front of US; and sure, if there
was ever need for amity, it was in such an
hour. | must suppose that Ballantrae had
suffered in his sense of what is truly polite,
indeed, and there is nothing strange in the |
idea, after the sea wolves we had consorted
with SO long, and as for myself he fubbed |
me of unhandsomely, and any gentleman
would have resented his behavior
told him In what light | saw his con |
duct: he walked little off, following to up. |
braid him, and at last he stopped ME with his |
hand.
Frank" says he, you know what we |
Swore, and yet there is no oath invented |
would induce me to swallow such expressions |
II did not regard you with sincere affection. |
1t Is impossible you should doubt me there; |
have given proofs. Dutton had to take be-
cause he knew the pass, and Grady because
Dutton would not move without him; but
what call was there to carry you alongl You
are perpetual danger to me with your
cursed Irish tongue By rights you should
now be in irons in the cruiser And you
quarrel with me like baby for some
trinkets!"
considered this one of the most unhand-
some speeches ever made; and indeed to this
day | can scarce reconcile it to my notion of