Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-11-03

hero; but then | do not wish to be
thought one In the darkness and hor-
ror OF that hour saw no way OF escape
and so admit my blindness.
My clothes and other things belong
ing to me being In the cabin now oc-
cupied by Stevens, opened the door
and desired the steward TO bring them
10 me- My voice was heard by Miss
Robertson, who came round the table
TO where stood and thanked me for
my kindness to her and her father.
She had made good use Of the few
oonvenienoes had been able to send
her. H0r hair was brushed and most
prcttily loopod over tue comb. and she
wore collar that became her nightly,
which she found in the stewards box.
She looked n sweet and true English
girl; her deathlike pallor gradually
yielding to healthy white, with tinge
Of color vn the cheeks.
"Papa seems better" she said, land
Is constantly asking for you; but I told
him" with tho prettiest smile) THAT
you require rest as well as others, and
that you have plenty TO occupy you"
Then looking earnestly at me for
some moments, while her face grew
wonderfully grave, she exclaimed;
"What Is wrong, MIR. Roylep What
makes you look so anxious and wor-
riedP'
looked into her face and the ex-
preston Of courage | saw there de-
cided me 10 toll her the whole truth
and acquaint her fully with our peril
/ Gus situation.
There is plenty to trouble me-" /
answered. "1ou know the men have
mutinied, and that my position is q
| difficult ono. / have to be careful how
l act, both for my sake aud yours"
Eyes, know that" she said, keep
/ ing her clear and thoughtful eyes on
me. "But then you said you did not
fear that the men would be violent
again. aud that they would leave us on
board this ship when We were near
New Orleans"
IL will not conceal that have heard
/ something just now which has affected
mo very much" said to her "Will
| you step into my cabinp We can talk
there without being SEEM" i added,
having observed Stevens walk along
the main deck, and expecting that he
would return in few moments to his
cabin, It being his watch below.
She followed me silence, and /
closed the door.
II will tell you In few words" at
once began, ''what heard Just now.
told the boatswain that / questioned
whether the men would let me land
with them. for fear Of the evidence l
could give. lie replied that he had
gathered from the carpenter, while at
breakfast, that tho men intended TO
scuttle tho ship when they quilted her.
aud to leave us on board.
ITO diownP'
THAT Is their idea"
She pursed up her mouth tightly
and pressed her hand 10 her forehead.
That was all. Whatever emotion my
statement inspired was hidden. She
said, in low voice:
"Thcy are fendsl l did not think
them so cruel My poor fatherl"
"Ihis is what am told they mean
to do; and know Stevens to be ruff
fan, and that he will carry out his
project II he can. have spent some
time alone here in trying 10 think how
We can save ourselves. As yet l see
no remedy. But watt" said; ait will
take us three weeks, sailing we'll every
day, 10 reach the Gulf OF Mexico. /
have this time before me, and In that
timc not only something must but
something shall, be done"
She did not answer.
81 will hazard nothing, | will venture
no risks. What resolve to do must
be eilectual," | went on. "because my
| lifo IL dcaror to mo now than 1t was
three days ago, foryourandyourfathor's
sake. You must be saved from the
rullians, but no risk must attend your
dcliyorancG This is why see no es.
cape before us as yet, but it will come
1t viii comol Despair Is very fruit
full IN cxpcdients, and am not beaten
because / find myself flung like a dog
in holel'
She looked up Mt this. and saidi
What Is TO be doneP'
al must think"
81 will think, too. We need not tell
papaP' she added, toning her voice TO
question, with an appealing Look In
hor eyes.
mo. certainly not Remember. we
arc not supposed TO question the men,
honest intentions toward US. We must
appear utterly ignorant"
Are they armedP" she inquired.
"No."
She cast her eyes round the cabin
and saidi "llave you no gunsP"
mo hing but pistol. But though
we had twenty guns, we have no hands
, to uso them. So far as know yet
there Is no man tIat would stand with
me-.not oven the Observation-Disclosures hC
were sure We should conquer the ruff
fans.
Gould | not use pistolP All,
, remember, you have only one.
Just then step sounded along tn,
cuddy. Tho CABIN door was pushed
open roughly. and Stevens walked in
lie stared at Miss Robertson, and cried
, "Sorry TO interrupt. Didn't know
you was here, ma'am, I'm sure.
thought" addressing me, ~ SHOULD
lind you turned in, I've come TO hav,
look at that chart o. yours. How
long dye make 1t to New Orleansp"
About three weeks"
, "Well, there's livestock enough 70
three weeks anyways. I've just toll,
the cook to stick one of them porkers
All hands has n fancy for roast porI
4 to-day. Sarvant, miss You wa
pretty nigh drowned, think"
: my father and ! owe our lives 4
the noble fellows in this ship. The,
must be bravo and good men to rsI
their lives to save ours, Unanswered
with q smile of touching sweetness
looking frankly into the face of tn
niscreant who stood, cap on head, be
, fore her
"Lor' bless yerl" he exclaimed
! ! Mihnra wnsn,t no rlsk. I'd ha, SWIM