Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-17

have been more affecting than Cor
aish's death. He was tracing figures,
such as circles and crosses, with his
forefnger on the deck, smiling vacant
ly meanwhile, and now and then look
ing around him with rolling, unmean-
ing eyes.
I returned to the wheel, ans said:
'Miss Robertson, you need not remain
at the wheel. There is so little wind
now that the ship may be left to her
self"
Saying which I made the wheel fast
and led her to one of the skylights.
Bosom" said l, twill you fetch us
something to eat and drink out of the
pantry Open a tin of meat and get
some biscuit and wine. This may be
our last meal on board the Grosvenor,"
l added, to Miss Robertson, as the boat
swain left us.
She looked at me inquiringly, but
did not speak.
Before we knew" 1 continued,
"that poor Cornish was dying, the
boatswain and l resolved that we
should all of us leave the ship. We
have no longer the strength to man the
pumps. The water is coming in at the
rate of a foot an hour, and we have
found latterly that even three of US can
not pump more at time out of her
than six or seven inches, and every
spell at the pumps leaves us more ex-
hausted. But even though we had hes
itated to leave her, yet, now that Corn
ish is gone and the steward has fallen
imbecile, we have no alternative"
81 understand" she said, glancing
at the boat and COMPRISING her lips.
"You are not afraid-you who have
81, n-f nd khnVN
all of us put together"
mol am not much afraid. 1 be-
lieve that God is looking down upon us
and that He will preserve US. But"
she cried, taking a short breath, and
clasping her hands convulsively, sit
will be very, very lonely on the great
sea in that little boat"
''Why more lonely in that little boat
than on this broken and sinking ship?
l believe, with you, that God is look
ing down upon us, and He has given
us that pure and beautiful sky as an
encouragement and promise. Con-
trast the sea now with what it was this
morning. In few hours hence it will
be calm; and believe me when l say
that we shall be a thousand-fold safer
in that boat than we are in this strained
and leaking ship. Even while we talk
now, the water is creepirT into the
hold, and every hour will make her
sink deeper and deeper until she dis
appears beneath the surface. On the
other hand, we may have many days
together of this fine weather. l will
steer the boat for the Bermuda Islands,
which We can not miss by heading the
boat west, even if l should lack the
means of ascertaining our exact where
abouts, which you. may trust me will
not be the case. Moreover, the chance
Of our being rescued by passing ship
will be much greater when we are in
She boat than It is while we remain
1ere; for no ship, though she were
comm anded by a savage, would refuse
20 pick boat up and take it's occu-
pants on board; whereas vessels, as we
have already seen to our cost, will sight
distressed ships and leave them to shift
for themselves"
II do not doub you are right" she
replied, with plaintive smile. Il
should not say OF do any thing to OPP
pose you. And believe me-" she ex-
claimed, earnestly, ''that l do not
think more of my own life than that
of my companions. Death j. not so
terrible but that we may meet it, if
God Wills" calmly. ''And l would
rather die at once, Mr.. Royle, than
win few short years of life on hard
and bitter terms"
She looked at the steward as she
spoke, and an expression of beautiful
pity came into her face.
miss Robertson" l said, sin my
heart am pledged to save your life.
If you die, we both die!-of that be
sure"
81 know what I owe you," she
answered, in low and broken voice.
Il know that my life is yours, won by
you from the vefy jaws of death,
soothed and supported by you after
ward. What my gratitude is only God
knows. l have no words to tell you"
''Do you give me the life l have
saved?" l asked, wondering at my
own breathless voice as l questioned
| her.
II do" she replied, firmly, lifting
up her eyes and looking at me.
''Do you give it to me because your
sweet and generous gratitude makes
| you think it my due?-not knowing l
am poor, not remembering that my
station in life is humble, without a
| question as to my past?"
II give it to you because I love your
she answered, extending her hand.
forehead.
"God bless you, Mary darling, for
your faith in me! Goddess you for
your priceless gift of your love to me!
Living or dead, dearest, we are one!'
And she, as though to seal these
words, which our danger invested with
an enhancing righteousness, raised
| my hand to her spotless lips, and then
| held it some moments to her heart
The boatswain, coming up the poop
ladder. saw her holding my hand. He
approached us slowly and in silence;
and, putting down the tray, which he
had heaped, with sailor-like profusion,
with food enough for a dozen per-
sons, stood looking on us thoughtfu:ly-
"Mr. Royle," he said, in a deliberate
voice, you'll excuse me for sayin' OF
it, but. sir, you've found her out?''
81 have, bosom"
| EEYOu've fOund her ont sir as the