The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-27
A MARRIAGE AT SEA.
cHAPTER /.
W. CLARK RUSSELL.

she foated. It was q breath
less night, dark despite the
wide spread OF cloudles sky that was
brilliant with stars. It was hard upon
the hour Of midnight. and low down
where we lay we heard but dimly the
sounds Of such life as was still abroad In
the Boulogne streets. Ahead Of ug
doomed the shadow Of q double-funnelled
steamer.--an inky dye Of scarcely deter
minable proportions upon the black and
silent waters Of the harbor. The Cape
cure pier made q faint, phantom-like
line Of gloom as II ran Stewards on our
denoting some collier fast to the skele-
ton timbers. We were waiting for the
hour OF midnight to strike. and our ears
were strained.
What noise Is that2' I exclaimed.
"The dip Of sweeps, sir" answered
my captain, Aaron Caudel; some smack
a-coming along,--a there she is." And
he shadowily pointed to q dark square
heap betwixt the piers. softly approach
ing to the impulse OF her long oars.
How is your plug now, Caudel?" said
], in low voice, sending a glance up at
the dark edge OF the harbor wall above
us, where stood the motionless figure Of
a d0udnier, with q button or two OF his
uniform family gIimmering to the CLEAN
of lamp near him.
:. Right for the lob, sir.--right as your
honor could desire IL. There's but one
consideration which amt like feeling
OF sartinty: and that, ! must say, con-
sarns the'dawg."
,"Smother the dog But you are right.
We must leave our boots In the ditch"
Amt there plenty OF grass, sir?"
said he.
hope so; buta fathom OF gravel will
% crunch under such hoofs as yours that
the very dead buried beneath might turn
In their collins, let alone q live dog. wide
awake from the end OF his beastIy cold
snout to the tip OF his tail. Does the
ladder chafe your"
mo. sir. Makes me feel a bit asth-
matic-like, and IL them duniers get q
sight Of me they'll reckon rye visited
the Continent to make show Of myself"
he exclaimed. with low deep sea laugh.
whilst he spread his hands upon his
breast. around which, under cover OF
4 large. loose. long pea-coat. he had
coiled a length OF rope-ladder with two
iron hooks at one end Of It which made
a humD under either shoulder-blade.
There was no other way. however. Of
conveying the ladder ashore. In the
hand it would instantly have challenged
attention. and q bag would have been
equally an object OF curiosity to the two
or three custom-house phantoms fitting
about in trianguiar-shaped trousers and
shako-like head-gear.
"iThera GOES midnight Arp criad
carda,
a. l;staned IN the cbimas : sudden
a. ~ excitamant at mo tramhiine
!" Are W thara JohSn called nv can
ta,n
"Av air : resnonded q voice from the
bows ~ the Yacht. 49, - 80
Limp"
.Here sir . answered. = second voice
mt If the darkness forward.
.Dick?"
Here. sir"
Bobby?"
Here. sir" responded the soueaky
note Of a boy.
"Lay aft. all YOU sbip's company.
and don't make no noise" growled
Caudel.
Hooked up; the figure of the douaniey
had vanished. The three men and the
how came sneaking out of the yacht,s
head
Now. what we've got to do" said
Caudel. .is to keen awake. Youll see
ali ready for hoisting and Citing. away
the hinstant Mr.. Barclay and me arrives
aboard. You Understand that"
Its good English. cap'n," said one OF
the sailors.
"No skylarking. mind. You're a-list.
ening, Bobby"
LAY, sir"
you'll Just go quietly to work and
see all clear, and then tarn to and loaf
ahOnt in the shadow Nnur Ar RoroIa,,