The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-01-25
THE CALIFORNIANS.
By JULES VERNE.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ON BOARD THE BRISBANE.

Australia and continue on land the
search which had been so fruitless on
water, she resolved under Zach's adj
vice to take passage the next day on the
Brisbane for Adelaide. A thorough
study of the map of Australia had con-
WINGED French that the latter city Of
fered better facilities not only for fit
ting out the expedition but also for
more quickly reaching the center of the
continent where It was supposed that
Capt. John was held prisoner by some
of the savage tribes which roam over
those almost limitless plains.
Luckily the Brisbane was to sail the
next day at eleven a. M, and after
touching at Melbourne would reach
Adelaide August 81.
AS Molly was sitting on the upper
deck in conversation with Zach, cabin
boy approached them to ask, by order
of the captain, whether she were in
need of anything.
Nothing, my child" said Molly, to
whom the boys voice seemed strangely
familiar. Suddenly it occurred to
her where she had heard it. For an in
slant the eyes Of the two were fixed in
silence, but intently, searchingly upon
each other.
''My boy" began Molly, ''did you got
speak to me yesterday at the entrance
to the Marine hospital|'
eyes, madam" said the lad, with a
respectful sailor salute
"You asked me if Capt. John was
still among the living?"
eyes, madam
"Do you belong to the crew of the
Brisbane?'
eyes, shipped on her year ago,
but my time is almost up. 1 want to
get away"
"What is your name?"
Godfrey" replied the lad as he
saluted and hurried away to report.
'"There is true sailor lad for you,'
said Zach as the boy disappeared, land
I'll wager his father was sailor be-
fore him. can see that in his clear,
honest, wide-opened eyes, hear it in his
mild but manly voice."
'EHis voice!'' murmured Molly, as the
music of its ring still sounded in her
ears. Her gaze was riveted upon the
graceful, slender figure as it disap-
peared in the throng Of passengers and
crew.
French was not slow to guess the
meaning Of the troubled look that he
now saw on Mrs. Allaire's face. Had
Walt lived he would have been just
Godfrey's age, and the sight of this tall,
handsome boy filed the wretched
mothers heart with sorrow too deep
for words.
''Zach," said she to French as the lat
ter babe her good night at the cabin
door, each, want to know more about
that lad-who his family are and where
he was born. Perhaps he may not be
English"
perhaps not" replied Zach, 'I'll in
quire of the captain"
AS there was to be delay of thirty
six hours in Williamstown harbor Mrs.
Allaire resolved to spend the time in the
city of Melbourne, distant about a mile.
AS she was leaving the steamer in COM
pany with Zach, she caught a glimpse
of Godfrey leaning on the forward rail
ing. His eyes were following her every
movement, and such look of sadness
clouded his face and so involuntarily did
he reach out as if to hold her back that
she was upon the point Of calling out:
''I'm coming back, mychild!' but with
an effort she smOthered her feelings
and turned away.
When Mrs Allaire returned on board
the following day Godfrey was on the
lookout for her. He took up his posi-