The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-02-20

arose that instantly extinguished tho
little flame and noated off, leaving
queer smell. That was all.
"'"Perfectly harmless, captain, con-
tinued uncle, who had now recovered
his usual good nature. "Perf city harm
less-unless you wet it. Then look out!"
"'The cook made a sort of dumping
for dinner, and n great lot of it remained.
Uncle John took mass of this dough,
for it was little else, squeezed it until it
was quite dry, and nodded it into ball.
"Come with me, he said, "and, Arthur,
bring plate of that dough with YOU.
He took the cans and we followed him
to the deck. There he carefully COW
cred the ball of dough with the powder,
and going to the rail threw it as far as
he could out over the placid sea. AS the
ball struck the water there was loud
explosion and the spray was thrown
high into the air. The crew, who had
been hanging over the port rail forward,
turned and rushed over to see what was
up Uncle John made another ball, and
threw it with like result
"'"Oh, honly torpeters. growled one
of the men, and they turned back to
their places Uncle John, now evidently
anxious to give us thorough proof of the
value of his compound, was for throwing
more balls, when the boatswain, rolling
aft, touched his hat, and said to the cap
tain:
"'"Please. sir, there's a big black shark
rs has showed his fin hoff the port bow,
and if SO be that the doctor'll wait bit
with his torpeters we'll show 'um some
fun a-catchin' of it.
"'"All right, bo'sun, said the captain,
and we all went over to the port rail.
There he is, said the captain,
pointing to a sharp black thing that,
rising just above the water, was cutting
quietly through it, THAT is his fin, and
there's big shark under it, or I'm much
mistaken.
1.-THE men fell back and looked eagerly.
The cook handed up big chunk of meat.
wipe it as dry rs you can, said uncle,
and tie it firmly to the rope. When
this was done he sprnked the powder
from the can carefully over the meat;
then he carried it cautiously to the rail.
The shark was cruising back and forth.
Uncle lowered the meat slowly into the
water, right in front of the monster. He
saw the bait, and darted at it, and then
there was tremendous report and the
spray flew into our faces as we leaned
over the rail. The next moment we saw
the big fish floating motionless ON the
water.
"'"Blessed if g 'asn't blowed is 'ead
close off, said the boatswain.
So 1t was so. That terrible compound
of Uncle Johns had needed only the inn
pact of the sharks teeth to explode it
with deadly effect"
"Oh, it's only fish story" Edgar
Fawcett interrupted, when Professor
Smith, who is an expert elocutionist. had
spoken thus far in the assumed character
of the dead man.
ut is a lovely story" Professor Smith
went on, with no lapse from his imper-
sonation of the solemnly speaking spirit
of Hartley. "'Our vessel was plundered
and abandoned by the mutinous crew.
Only Helen, whom / madly loved, but
who had never yet confessed she loved
me, was left alone on board with me.
Days of famishing and fever ensued
One afternoon Helen was lying motion
less in the shadow of the companion
hatch. l threw myself down by her
side. She put out her hand and grasped
mine, and flush crossed her face.
was too weak to speak, and thus hand in
hand we lay for don't know how long.
Gradually lost consciousness, perhaps
in sleep. At all events my spirit was not
free. The frail body still had strength
enough to retain it. / was aroused by
something dropping on my face. AS
consciousness came back saw that the
sky had become overcast; that cool
breeze was blowing, and that gentle
rain was falling. Helen was sitting
erect, and with parted lips drinking in
the grateful rain laden air. l tried to
rise, but could not. She was much
stronger than l, and at my direction went
below and brought blankets and clothes,
which she spread on the deck, that they
might catch the falling drops. She
seemed quite vigorous, and already I
felt my own strength coming back. Soon
she was able to squeeze water from the
blanket into little can which stood by
the mast. We were in too great agony
of thirst to think of neatness. She Of
fered the can to me.
""Drink yourself, Helen" said.
""No," she answered, with a smile.
@No, you need it most" And kneeling
by my side she slipped her arm under my
head and with the other hand held the
water to my parched lips.
~ drank eagerly. The draught was
life to me. Never had water such
strength giving power. hardly noticed
that it left such queer taste upon my
lips. / sat erect. Helen, with her arm
still around my neck, drank what re.
mained in the can. Then she looked me
full in the face. There was a new ex-
preston in the lovely eyes. A deep flush
was on her brow.
"""Arthur, she said, and there was a
tremor in the rich deep voice, Arthur,
love you! Oh, / love you! May dar-
ling, my noble, faithful darling! Ar
thur"
"Sha threw herself upon NV hreast