San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-30

when one Sunday was overhauling my
things in the forecas'le, and was just tax
ing out picture of the little one that I'd
left up home. Bill came along, and, look
ing over my shoulder, says, "Hullo. chum.
Who have you got thereg'
Says |, rs honest as could be, handing
him the picture, That the woman hope
to be my wife some day
"'Your wifep says he, as he took the
photograph. My Godl That's Nancy
Stewart and CHANGING up, saw Bill star
ing at the picture with his face as white as
new gaT-topsl. Then thrusting the
likeness into his pocket, he Kissed through
his C!cLch2d teeth NO, Tom Baxter! She
will never be your wifep and, turning, he
sprang up the steps out of the forecas'le
before could stop him.
"As you may imagine was boiling mad,
and surprised as well, | followed Bill on
deck, and saw him sitting on water casS
with both hands up to his face. | APP
preached him. and touching him on the
shoulder asked as gently as ! could for
the return of the picture.
''As he looked up to me the expression of
his countenance was that of a maniac; his
features were distorted with either anger
or anguish, | know not which.
"'Come, come l said after pause, dur
ing which my chum glared vacantiy at
me. Give me back the photograph
"The answer | received was a blow, and
down went as though shot, with Bill on
top. was consiia"Gl'. 4tronger than he
in those days, "Ui saor 80, the best of the
affair. / held iii dow. IN deck with one
hand at his thr-.,, and with the other
pulled the picture from his pocket; but in
doing so it was torn in two, and | only Sc
cured one half, At this instant our ship
mates separated us, and for the rest of that
day we avoided each other as much as pos
sible. -
ION Monday morning, as we were dress
ing ourselves side by side as usual, ready
to go down to work, could hear Bill NUT
tering under his breath, and just as his
tender was screwing ON the face piece to
his helmet caught most malignant look
upon his features, but he uttered no threats
aloud.
my companion had scarcely reached the
bottom ere was in the water and rapidly
descending. | had made up my mind to
give Bill as wide berth as possible dur
ing the day, and began my labors, strip
ping off the copper from the wreck well
aft while he was amidships.
1--WE had been down perhaps half an
hour, and was commencing to feel a lit
tie more at ease, when all at once heard
a slight tapping on my copper helmet and
a hand was placed upon my shoulder.
had been kneeling, but quickly rose to my
feet, and turning, saw Bill standing before
me; but his aspect sent a chill to my very
heart. He was extending toward me a
knife, the blade of which he touched with
one finger, and then pointed to my weapon,
which hung in it's sheath at my belt.
81 comprehended his meaning. 1t was a
challenge to mortal combat. But what a
place for such an encounterl am ashamed
to admit however, that after the brief first
instant of surprise l began to feel an in
sane desire to overcome and subdue my
rival, even though it was in a Struggle to
the death.
so, dropping the short iron bar with
which | had been previously working,
drew my knife in turn. On seeing this
move Bill reached forth one hand and
grasped mine, which he gave a conclusive
pressure, and then waved me back to pre-
pare for action.
"Now began the battle. The thrusts, as
you must know, were somewhat impeded
by the pressure of the water, but still they
were given with sufficient force, If they
had not been skillfully parted, for any one
of them to have proved fatal. In little
while we found ourselves locked, each with
his left hand grasping the others wrist,
while the knives waved to and fro above
our helmets.
Suddenly l began to lose my air, and
was Mortified to see a small piece Of the
rubber hose drop down before my eyes, and
knew that Bill had severed the pipe-but
still at that moment remember thinking
that it must have been an accident, as Bill,
even in his anger, would not take such
mean advantage over his adversary.
"Suffocation quickly followed, but be-
fore entirely losing consciousness l gave
the signal to be drawn to the surface; and
then knew no more until found myself
living upon the schooner's deck, with he'll
met off and my head resting on Bills knee,
wiping the blood and foam from my nos
trils. He was dressed just as he had been
when going into the water, barring the re-
moval of the glass face piece in his head
gear .-. ..-
"When l opened my eyes and looked
around saw him wave the rest Of the
chaps aside, and then he bent down until
the cold copper of his helmet touched my
cheek, as he whispered: Thank God, Tom,
you're safe. But don't, for the sake Of our
friendship, say a word OF what's happened
to our shipmates. And oh, If you can,
foSgive me.yourselE 80. a.,.l