The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-06-19
; they creak and groAn in the bowels Of

Cosy and warm, with these sounds for
q lullaby, fell asleep. and dreamed that
I was again down in the engine room,
and sitting opposite to tho other English
man. Haven't you something to tell
me? Haven't you something to tell me?"
he was droning monotonOusly, wagging
his head from side to side the while. with
that same perplexing smile on his face
which had so distressed me waking.
Haven't you something to tell mey'
strove to say that had not. because
l knew that II did not satisfy him. he
would do some dreadful thing. though
what did not know But | could not
utter the words, and while ] vas still
struggling with this horrible impOtency.
that surpassed any waking misery, the
thing was done. was bound hand
and foot to the crank Of the engine.
and going up and down with Il, up
and dOwni Oh, 1t was fiendish crueltyI
wept nnd prayed to be released, but the
villain took no heed Of my prayers. He
sat on, regarding my struggles with the
same impassive smile. In despair StrOve
to think what Il was he wanted-what 1t
was-and-
How the ship was rolllngi Thank
heaven. was awake or half awakeI In
my berth at any rate, and not in that
horrible engine room. But how was thisS
The other Englishman was here too.
standing BY the lamp, looking at me.
Or-was It the other EnglishmanT It was
some one who was not smiling. yet some
one too who had smudged and smutty
face. All the wonder in my mind had
to do with this question. lay for awhile
in an indolent mood. between sleeping
and waking, watching him. Then saw
him reach across my feet to little shelf
above the berth. As he drew back some
thing that was In his hand-the hand that
rested on the edge Of my berth-glittered
glittered as the light fell upon It, and
wide awake. sprang To sitting posture
in my berth, and cried out with fear
He was gone In an instant, and In the
same second Of time was out Of bed and
on the floor A moments hesitation. and
drew aside the curtain. which was still
shaking. The passage without was still
and empty, But opposite my cabin and
separated from It only by the width Of the
passage was the door Of another cabin,
which was, or rather had been when
went to bed. unoccupied. Now the cur
tain drawn across the doorway was shak,
ing. and | scarcely doubted but that the
intruder was behind il. But behind Il
also was darkness. and | was unarmed,
whereas that upon which the light had
fallen in the mans hand was either a
knife or pistol
No wonder that | hesitated. or that
discretion seemed the better part Of
valor To be sure, might call the stew
ard and have the cabin searched. but
feared to seem afraid. stood on tiptoe
for a few moments listening, All was
still; and presently shivered The ex.
citement was passing away; ! began to
feel II. With a last fearful glance at the
opposite cabin-had | really seen the
curtain shake? might it not have been
caused by the motion Of the ship?-l
drew close my sliding door, and climbed
hastily into my bunk. Robber or no
robber. must lie still. In a very short
time, what with my qualms and my
drowsiness. fell asleep.
slept soundly until the morning light
filled the cabin, and | was aroused
by the CHEEKY voice Of the steward,
bidding me "Buenos dias." The ship
was moving on an even keel again.
Overhead the deck was being swabbed.
opened my little window and looked
out As did SO the nights doings rose
In my memory. But who could think Of
dreams or midnight assassins with the
fresh sen air in his nostrils. and before
his eyes that vignette OF blue sea and
gray rocks-gray, but sparkling, gem.
like, ethereal under the sun Of Spain!
Not l. for one was gay Us a lark,
hungry as hunter Sallying out before
was dressed. | satisfied myself that the
opposite cabin was empty and bare, and
came back laughing at my folly.
But when found that something else
was empty and bare, thought It no
laughing matter. wanted q biscuit to
stay my appetite, until the steward
should bring my ''cafe complet," ;" and ]
turned to the little shelf over my berth
where ! had placed them on going to
bed. There were none there now. Curl
ousi ! had not eaten them. Then 1t
flashed upon my mind that It was with
this shelf my visitor had meddled.
After that ! did not lose moment. ]
examined my luggage and the pockets
Of my clothes; the result relieved rs
much as L astonished me; nothing was