The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-26
A MARRIAGE AT SEA.
AUTHOR OF "TuE WRECK OF THE GRosvE-
NOR" "JoHN HoLDswoRTH. MATE"
"MARooNEp." ETC, ETC.
CHAPTER VI.
". CLARK RUSSELL


Some little trifle OF property had below
In the cabin, but nothing that cared to
burden myself with at such time. All
the money had brought with me, bank
notes and some gold, was in the pocket
book carried. AS for my sweetheart's g
wardrobe. what she had with her, as
you know, she wore so that she would
be, learns nSta.... .asaind her o,tor orr
coming on deck that Caudel, quitting the
pump. at which he had been taking a
spell, approached me, and said,--
You'll understand OF course, Mr..
Barclay, that i as master of this yacht
sticks TO herr"
What p cried /, to be drowned?"
~ sticks TO her, sir" he repeated,
with the emphasis OF irritability in his
manner, that was not at all wanting In
respect, either. II dorn't mean to say
IL 10 should come on TO blow another gale
afore that there craft" indicating the
ship, receives ye that l wouldn't go
too. But the Meather's a-moderating;; !;
it'll be farming fine afore long, and I'm
a-going to sail the Spitfire home"
Grace looked at me; / understood
the meaning her eyes conveyed, and
exclaimed, -
"The men will do as they please. They
yacht home she shall be sold and what
she fetches divided among them. But l
have had enough of her,-and more than
enough of yachting. l must see you,
my pet, safe on board some ship that
does not leak.
q could not live through another
night on the Spitflre," she exclaimed.
"No, miss, no." rumbled Caudel,
soothingly; :" nor would it be right and
proper that you should be asked to live
through it. They'll be sending for ye
presently"
Where is she bound to. wonder?" 1
said, viewing the tall, noble vessel with
yearning TO be aboard her with Grace
at my side.
ITO Australia, allow" answered
Caudel. Them passengers ye sees
forrads and along the bulwark rail amt
of the sort that goes TO Chiney or the
Hindies."
1--WE can't go TO Australia, Herbert"
said Grace. surveying me with startled
eyes.
My dear Grace, there are plenty of
ships betwixt this Channel and Australia
plenty hard by,-rolling home and
willing to land us for few sovereigns,
would their sherman only shift their
helm and approach within hail"
But though there might be truth in
this for aught / knew, it was thing
custer TO say than TO Inuan.
The ship, having canvas upon her, set
tied slowly upon our bow at a safe dis
tance, but our drift was very nearly hers,
and during those weary hours OF wait
ing for the sea To abate the two crafts
fairly held the relative positions they
had occupied at the outset. The inter-
oct al 4aH In Oh 81
was ceaseless. The line of her bulwarks
remained dark with heads, and the glim-
mer of the white faces gave an odd
pulsing look to the whole length Of them
as the heave of the ship alternated the
stormy light.
On a sudden, much about the hour OF
noon, there came a lull the wind prop
ped as IL by magic; here and there over
the wide green surface OF the ocean the
foam glanced, but in the main the bill
lows ceased to break and charged in a
troubled but fast moderating swell.
The two vessels had widened their dis
tance, yet the note Of the hail, IL dull,
was perfectly distinct:
Yacht ahoy! We're going to send
boat"
Here they come, Grace" cried I.
"At last, thank Heaven"
"Oh. Herbert, l shall never be able to
enter herY she exclaimed, shrinking to
my side.
But knew better. and answered with
a acaress only.
The oars rose and fell. the boat showed
and vanished, showed and vanished
again, as she came buzZing to the yacht,
to the impulse of the powerfully-s
blades. Caudel stood by with some
coils OF line in his hand; the end was
flung, caught, and in a trice the boat
was alongside, and sunburnt, reddish
haired man in n suit of serge, and with a
naval peak to his cap, tumbled with the
dexterity of a monkey over the yachts
rail.
He looked round him an instant, and
then, straight up to Grace and me, TAX
ing the heaving and slanting deck as
easily as though it had been the flocr OF
a ballroom.
am the second mate OF the Carthus-
ian, said he, touching his cap with an
expression OF astonishment and admir-
alton In his eyes as be looked at Grace.
Are all your people ready to leave,
sir2 Captain Parsons is anxious that
there should be no delay"
"The lady and are perfectly ready"
said i, but my men have made up their
minds TO stick to the yacht, with tho
hope of carrying her home"
He looked around to Caudel, who stood
near.
We had thought your case hopeless
one, sir"
So il is" answered.
Are ypI wise in your resolution. my
many" he exclaimed, turning TO Caudel
again.
"Ay, sir" answered Caudel, doggedly.
as though anticipating an argument.
who's a-going TO leave such dandy
craft as this TO founder for the want Of
keeping pump going for a day or two?"
The yacht Is i'm no flt state for the
young lady, anyway" said the second
mate. Now, sir, and you. madam, II
you are ready And he put his head
over the side Go look Mt his boat.
/ helped Grace TO stand, and whilst
supported her / extended my hand TO
Caudel.
God bless you and send you safe
home |" said /. Your pluck and deter
mination make mo feel but half a man.
But my mind is resolved too. Not for
worlds must Miss Bellassys pass another