Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-06

he shan { be able to see along the weather-side of the poop" followed him until I had come to the part of the deck that was right over Miss Robertson's cabin, and there struck three smart blows with the heel ot my boot, at the same time Tapping my hands against my breast so as to ing myself.
 walked to the break of the poop and waited.
 In less time than could count twenty a figure came out of the cuddy and mounted the poop-ladder and stood by my side Looking close into the face could see that it was rather too white to be sailors, that was all. The fig ure was mans, most perfectly so. "Admirable! l whispered, grasp ing her hand.
 1posted her close against the screened skylight, that her figure might be on level with the mizzen-mast viewed from the wheel, and called to the boat swain.
 The tone of my voice gave him his cue. He came forward just as a man would to receive an order.
 "She is here," said, turnn g'him by the arm to where Miss Robertson sIoou' HloCIonleSS- tor tod sake, get forward at once! Lose no timer'
 He went up to her and said.
 I'm sorry can't see you properly, miss If this wuz daylight reckon you'd make handsome sailor, just fit for the gals to go dreamin' an ravin' about.
 With which, and waving his hand, the plucky fellow slipped of the poop like shadow, and I watched him glide along the main-deck until he van- ished.
 Now" whispered to my com- panion, "the tragedy begins. We must walk up and down that the man steering may sec us. Keep on the left side of the deck; it is higher than where 1 shall walk, and will make you look taller.''
 1posted her properly, and we began to measure the deck.
 l took care not to go farther than the mizzen-rigging, so that Cornish should distinguish nothing but ou1 figures; and after we had paraded the deck awhile asked her to stand near the quartef-boat, in which had placed the box.
 I then got on to the rail and fished out the box smartly, and stood it on the rail.
 keep your hand upon it,'' said I, ''that it may not roll overboard.''
 With which l walked right up to
 ''Does she steer steady?"
 'STrue as hair.''
 '1 left my coat this afternoon in one of the quarter-boats. Have you seen
 'No."
 Perhaps it's in the starboard boat"
 pretended to search; and then drawing close to Miss Robertson, said, quickly:
 Creep away now. Keep close to the rail and crouch low. Get to your cabin and change your dress. Roll the clothes you are wearing in bundle and hide them for the present."
 She glided away on her little feet, stopping her head to level with the rail
 All was quiet forward-the main deck deserted. waited some seconds, standing with my hand on the box, and then l showed it right overheard. It fell, just as I expected, with al humping splash.
 Instantly roared out: Man over board! Down with your helm! The boson's gonew and to complete the imposture, l bounded aft, cut away a life e-buoy, and flung it far into the darkness aStern. Cornish obeyed me literally; put the helm right down, and in a few mo ments the sails were shaking wildly.
 '' Steady!' shouted. E' Aft here and man the port main-braces! Bear a hand! the boson's overboardr'
 My excitement made my voice reso- nant as a trumpet, and the men in both watches came scampering along the deck.
 Up rushed the carpenter in very short time, rather the worse, Thought, for the dose he had swallowed.
 Whats the matterP" he beloved, lurching from side to side, as the ship 1 rolled. for we were now broadside on. l
 |" The bosom has fallen overboard!" l shouted in his ear; and I had need to shout, for the dinof the canvas was deafening.
 Do you say the boson?'' he bawled.
 " Yes. What shall we dop Is it too dark to pick him up?"
 "O Of course, it is!'' he cried. "He's drowned by this time. Who's to find himP Give 'em the proper orders, I l tell yee' MT. Royle. Sing out to the | HULL, AOA Cuo AOFu sake.
 Very well," l replied, with | great air of reluctance, and I de- livered the necessary orders The l carpenter worked like madman, bawling out that if the ship was dis 1 all hands would certainly be l hanged; and he so animated the men | that the work was done in one quarter | of an hour which usually would have required three times as much.
 Itwas now one O clock, so it ad taken 1 less than an hour to drown the boat swain, put the ship in irons and get her clear again.
 Stevens came off the main-deck on | to the poop. greatly relieved in his mind, now that the sails were full and | the yards trimmed, and asked me how 1t happened that the boatswain fell overheard.
 replied, very gravely, that I had come on deck at eight bells, being anxious to see what way the ship was