Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-01
CHAPTER XVIII

The men went on busily provisioning
the long-boat, some whistling gay
tunes, others laughing and passing
Jokes, all In good spirits, as though
they were going ON a holiday expodi
ton.
The minutes rolling past seemed
eternal. Five. ten, twenty minutes
came and went. The sun had almost
disappeared. All the mon except -four
were in the lOng-boat, and they stood
near tho gang-way ready to leave the
ship on u moments notice.
Suddenly tho carpenter came around
from before the galley, and walked
quickly 20 tho gangway.
"Ovor with you, lads" he cried.
They dropped. ono after another,
into the long-boat and cast the painter
adrift. taking tho loaded quarter-boat
in tow.
i stood too much amazed to act.
Seeing the carpenter return | made
sure no had killed the boatswain; but
his behavior contradicted this idea.
IL no had discovered our plan he
would never have left tho ship with.
out seeking revenge upon me.
" hat then did his conduct mean.
Had tho boatswain died in his hiding
placer The thought fired my blood.
Yes, l believed that he had died
that the carpenter had performed his
task unmolosted without porceiving
the corpse and that, while stood
There. the water was rushing into tn,
ships holdl
I flung myself of tho poop and
bounded forward. In tho briefest pos.
sible time l was peering down the
fore-scuttle.
Below therew called.
There was no answer.
"Bclow there, | say. bosonr'
My cry was succeeded by hollow.
humping sound
"Bclow theror' l shouted for the
third time
l heard the sounds Of foot treadinp
on something that orunched under the
tread.
II am Mr.. Royle. Bosom, arc you
belowP For God Almighty's sake
answer, and lot me know that you are
livingm
"Havo the skunks cleared outp" re.
Sponded voice, and, stumbling as he
moved, tho boatswain cnmo under the
fore-scuttle, and turned up his face.
What have you donoP" cried. al
most dclirious.
"Why, plugged up two on 'em.
There's only ono more, he answered
"Ono moro what2"
Observation-Disclosures you call
en-"
SO saying he shouldored his way
back INTO tho gloom.
IL was now rs clear ms daylight to
me. In few minutes moro the boat
swain's face cleaned under the hatch
way
"IIavc you donep" Icxelaimed.
"Ayo. aye"
up with you then. Lot us swing
tho main yards and get way upon the
ship"
He followed me To the main deck.
stopped and looked over the bull
warks. The boats still lay about three
cable-lengths from tho ship. -Four
men were in tho quarter-boat and tho
rest in tho long-boat.
l called the steward and Miss Rob-
ertson. Both OF them appeared
promptly | explained what was de-
sired, and requested Miss Robertson to
take the wheel, which she did at once.
Tho boatswain had already let 90 tho
starboard main-braccs; and as rushed
aft he and the stewart were hauling TO
leoward. threw tho whole weight of
my body on the brace. and pulled with
the strength of Two men.
put tho wheel to starboardr' Icried
OUT and the girl, having cast Off the
lashlng, with marvellous quickness, ran
the spokcs over.
"She's q wonderw cried tho boat
swain, looking at her.
And so was he. The muscles on his
bare arms stood up like Jumps OF iron
under the flesh rs he strained tho heavy
brace
The great yards swung easily; the
top-sail, top-gallant and royal Yards
came round with tho main yard, and
swung themselves when the sails filled.
Tho-o was no time 10 gather In the
slack of the leo braces. ran 10 wind
ward. Delayed tho braces and raised a
loud cry.
They're after us, bosonl-they're
after usl"
Only the quarter-boat was In pursuit
as yet They no doubt had guessed
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