The Forrest City times., 1891-04-17
CHAPTER x.
A HOPELESS CASE.

The first person Annie encountered on the deck was Cargill. and for an instant sho shrank from him, clutching tho top of tho cabin stair to prevent herself from falling backward. He held ont his hand to aid her; but she recovered herself without talk. ing the preferred hand.
 During the time of danger tho most ter. rorstrlcken face of all on board had been that of Cargill. He graspsd the nearest rope Of the rigging, and clung to 1t as if he were already drowning, and this was the last straw of hope. His flabby cheeks grew yel- low, and his fishy eyes started in his head more prominent than ever. He had never contemplated the possibility of wreck. When the danger was over he was the first to recover his equanimity, and to pretend that he had not been at all disturbed by the incident
 He lit cigar, and whilst apparently look ing on at the hustle which preceded the ar rival in port, hc lowered about the cabin skylight and the stair, wishing to 70 down, and. for some reason, unable to do so. strain- ing his ears to catch any sound that might come from below. He heard nothing.
 He advanced to the captain several times, As If to speak. but saw that he would receive very little grace if he attempted 1t Then he walked back to the cabin skyiight and lowered about 1t as before. But when they were fast in port he met the captain on his way to the cabin, told him of the dram he had given to Ross, with many expressions of regret at the almost fatal consequence, and taking his full share of blame. At tho same time he offered his flask to the cap tain, who very willingly took dram whist saying
 Tt was foolish thing for you to do, though kindly meant; but 1t was a--weci, we'll na say nae mair about that. dinna want to be In passion when gang doon to him. I'm na gaun to prosecute him. as might do; but out O this boat he goes this minute, if he has to be carried ont"
 Don't be too hard on him, captain. Hc must have had q drop before that he did not take into account. One glass could never have had such an effect upon him."
 He maua hac had guid wheen drsps afore-confoond him-for you see 1 hAe taen a big dram the moo, and Pm heap the bet. ter o't, instead O being the waur. But that's na to the purpose. He had nae right to touch onything when he was on duty"
 "All the same. captain; for your own sake don't be hard on him.
 "Oh. I'm na gnun to be hard on him, aa hae told you. hae had over muckle liking for him for that. I'll manage quiet enough; |; but we maun get him ashore; eanna thole to hae him near me-"
 So the captain went below, and Casglll, as before. lowered about tho cabin, and thus encountered Annie when she rushed up from below.
 Do you want anything-can ret It for you?' he asked eagerly.
 ~Na-yes-thank you," she said excitedly. and with little confusion. Wait . min ute."
 She passed him and ran to the bow, where the men stood in group. talking and smok. ing. As there was to be no discharge of cargo till the following day, they were all taking their ease and discussing the strango events of the passage.
 Fl want you to go down to tho cabin. Jock" she said. touching the arm of thick. set grey-bearded man, "and bide with Bob Ross ;--he Is not we'll" You're flashing yourself over muckle about him. missy" Chat was her name on board the Acrmaid9 but I'll do your bid dinx.'
 II tell you all. he is not well; he was not 1 fou."
 That's just what 1 was saying" asserted q sturdy fellow named Campbell--she samc who had been tho lookout at tho moment of peril, ''for he was speaking to me ma half | an hour afore lie put the wheel wrang, and ] he was as sober as . judge" l The man said this doxgedly, having just been contending with much opposition from l bis mates.
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