The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-04
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AUTHOR OF "rHE WRECK or THE GRosvE-
NOR" JOHN HoLDswoRru. NATE"
"MARooNEp." ETC, ETC.
CHAPTER X.-Continued.
srBY
W CLARK RUSSELL,


obstinacy OF descent that was full OF the
menace OF tardy abatement.
IL was some time after three o'clock In
the afternoon that on a sudden the
engines were "slowed down." as / be-
lieve the term Is, and minute later the
revolutions of the propeller ceased.
There is always something startling In
the abrupt cessation OF the pulsing of
the screw in steamer at sea. Grace who
had been dozing, opened her eyes.
What can the matter be?" cried l.
AsI spoke / heard voice apparently
aboard the yacht, hailing. / pulled on
my cap, turned up the collar OF my coat,
and ran on deck. expecting TO find the
yacht in the heart of a thickness OF rain
and fog, with some big shadow OF ship
looming within biscuit-toss. IraRto the
side, and saw at a distance OF the length
OF the steam-yacht-my own hapless lit
tie dandy, the Spitiirel Her main-mast
was wholly gone, yet knew her at once.
There she lay, looking far more misera-
bly, wrecked than when l left her, lifting
and falling forlornly upon the small
swell, her poor little pump going, piled,
as instantly perceived by the boy Bob
by Allet.
| had sometimes thought Of her as In
harbor. and sometimes as at the bottom
OF the sea, but never, somehow, as still
washing about, helpless and sodden,
with a gushing scuppcr and leaky
bottom. Caudel-poor old Caudel-stood
at the rail, shouting TO Captain Verrion,
who was singing out TO him from the
bridge.
Irushed forward, bawling to Captain
Verrion, That the Spitfire that S my
yacht !" and then at the top of my voice
shouted acrosss the space OF water
between the two vessels, Ho, Caudel I!
where are the rest of YOU, Caudell For
Gods sake, launch your boat and come
aboardY
He stood staring at me, dropping his
head first on one side, then on the other,
doubling the evidence of his sight. and
reminding one of the ghost in Hamlet :
"It lifted up his head and did address
itself TO motion as IL il would speak.
Astonishment appeared to bereave him
of speech. For some moments he could
do nothing but stare; then up went both
hands with gesture that was eloquent
Of" Well, I'm blowed T." Come aboard,
Caudel come aboard !" roared, for the
little dandy still had her dinghy, and /
did not wish to put Captain Verrion to
the trouble OF fetching the two fellows
With the motions and air of a man
dumfounded or under the influence of
drink, Caudel addressed the lad, who
dropped the pump-handle, and between
them they launched the boat, smack
fashion. Caudel then sprang into her
with an oar and sculled across to US. He
came houndering over the side, and yet
again stood staring at me as though dis
crediting his senses. The color appeared
to have been washed out Of his face by
wet his oil-skins had surrendered their
waterproof properties, and they clung
to his frame as soaked rags would. His
boots were full of water, and his eyes re-
sembled pieces of jolly-ish fixed on eth
er side of his nose. grasped his hand.
"Of all astonishing meetings, Caudel |!
But how is it that you arc here? WHAT
has become of the main-mast? Where
are the rest OF the men? Never did q man
look more shipwrecked than you. Are
you thirsty? Are you starving"
BY this Captain Verrion had joined US,
and knot of the steamers crew stood
on tho forecastle. looking first at the
Spitiire, then at Caudel, scarcely, dare
say, knowing as yet whether to feel
amused or amazed at this singular meet
ing. Caudel had the slow laborious mind
of the merchant sailor. He continued
damply about him, then said,-
"Dummed il this amt wonderful, too
find you here, sir /! And your young
lady, Mr.. Barclay?"
safe and we'll in the cabin" / an
swered. But where are she others,
Caudel?"
I'll spin you the yarn in jiffy, sir, y
he answered, with countenance that
Indicated n gradual recollection OF his
wits. ''Arter you left us we got some
sail upon the yacht; but just about sun
down IL breezed UP in bit OF pun, and
tho rest OF the mast went overheard a
few inches above the deck. Well there
we lay. There was nothin 20 be done.
job Crew he gays to me, What's nextY
says he. What but tow homer says
'Itll have TO be that, says he, and
pretty quick, too he says, for I've now
had nigh enough of this galliwanting.
Well, at daybreak little bark bound
to the river Thames comes along and
halls us. ] asked her to give me tow.
that might have chance OF falling in
with tug. The master shook his head,
and sings out he'd take US aboard but
we wasn't TO talk Of towing.
"Wcll, to make an end to the yarn,
Mr.. Barclay" continued Caudel. them
GNrCc men went ODOaIu the Dark, laNlDg
their clothes with 'em; but when | told
Bobby TO go too, No said he. I'll stop
and help ye TO pump. sir. There's the
making OF n proper English sailor. Mr..
Barclay. in that there boy" he OK
claimed, casting his eyes at the lad, who
had again addressed himself to the
pump.
And here you've been all dayi' said
/.
"All day. sir, and all night too, and a
| dirty time it's bin"
Waiting for something TO give you a
tow, with long black night at hand?"
Mr.. Barclay, said he, Il told yc
should stick 10 that there little dandy
and wouldn't break my word for NO
man
You shant be disappointed, said
! Captain yerrion, bestowing on Caudcl a
hearty nod Of approval. this time untinc.
tured by condcscensiou. Give US the
end of your tow-rope. and we'll drag the
dandy home for ye."
"Caq'n. / thank 'ee. said Caudel.
You and the boy are pretty nigh worn
ont. allow" exclaimed Captain Nerrion
I'm put n couple OF men aboard the
Spitnre. How often does she want