The Bottineau pioneer., 1893-04-22
MISTAKE OF CAPT. BARTON.

kingfisher, had but one great fault-a
violent temper. His yong wife, Mabel,
who had accompanied him for a voyage
to Java. often begged him to control him
| self, declaring that such a temper would
yet lead him to the penetration of some
deed he would bitterly repent of.
Not that he was ever otherwise than
kind and gentle to her. 1t was against
his men that he sometimes became en-
ragged. They all liked him, notwithstand-
| ing; for, except when they made some
blunder, he treated them like brothers:
They also liked and respected his good
The health of this young woman was
perfect, and she was as strong and active
as a deer. Having been brought up near
the water, she could handle the oar with
surprising Skill and her husband had
been heard to say that she was an ex-
shouldered fellow, with an arm like
blacksmith's, a ruddy cheek and a clear
eye: His wife loved him deeply, and
whenever she saw him angry with his
men, she would hover about him, ell
deavoring to soothe him.
| Her own brother, Jack Wilton, youth
OF seventeen, was cabin boy. His rela-
ton to Mabel, however, did not prevent
his sometimes being the object of the
captains wrath.
| One evening, on an occasion when Jack
was slightly ill, he stumbled against a
over the deck.
."Confound you, youngster!' roared the
skipper. I'll make you stand on the
lookout for hours tonight for your awk-
Mrs. Barton pleaded with him. She
nursing her brother, and she was sure
ne had not slept ten minutes during that
time. 1t would, therefore, be cruel to
make the poor boy, who was not yet
quite well, remain awake so long.
But, although susceptible to his wife's
could not move him. He now resisted
all her appeals, and at dark made little
Jack get into the long boat and there
seat himself to keep lookout.
AND mind that you keep good one!'
said said he Don't let me catch you
Have you put Jack on the look k-out ~
inquired his wife, when he joined her in
the cabin.
"Crue!!" she cried, pouting, the tears
shining in her eyes.
he said.
He put his arm around her 1.-the waist,
drew her to him and kissed her.
Bluebeard!, said she. Il ought to
pull you hair!
She nestled in his arms, coaxed him
ana pleaded with him about Jack, but in
vain. Then she became very still and
thoughtful. All at once a singular ex-
preston flashed into her dark eyes. She
halt-stared, rolled round in his arms like
ball. but said not word.
"A few, minutes later the captain re-
his wife. He soon fell asleep, but awoke
three hours later, and went on deck. 1t
was a dark night, and the wind was
blowing almost gale. The captain
looked leeward, but through the gloom
ne could see nothing of an island the
snip had been approaching when he went
Delow. On making inquiries of the Off
Ger OF the deck, however, he learned that
the island lone of the Feejee group) bore
about mile off the lee quarter.
He now walked toward the long-boat,
in which he had stationed Jack Wilton
to keep lookout.
IF l find him vigilant and wakeful, I
will let him have his watch below!' he
muttered gently. the dark, pleading eyes
ct his wife haunting his mind. "Halloa
He is asleep" added the skipper, as he
approached the form seated in the boat.
In fact, the head of the lookout" was
bowed, and the deep breathing that sa-
luted the captain was Indicative of sound
slumber
bartons quick temper was at once
aroused: He sprang toward the dimly
revealed form in the boat, climbed into
the vessel, and rushed at the sleeper, in
tendlng to seize him by the shoulder, and
that moment the ship plunged heavily,
and, IN his haste, the captain caught his
foot against. the boat-mast, rolling it
nall out OF the craft, and falling almost
prostrate IN the boat. AS he fell, his out
stretched hand struck violently against
the, back of the slumberer, Who. thus
pushed over the gunwhale, struck against
the mast, which at once dropped into
the sea- The young lookout went with
1t, pitching head foremost into the dark
Man overboardv' shrieked the captain.
IN dlsmay, as he staggered to his feet.
Lively there; back the main-yard and
down with the boat" he added, leaping
to the deck.
But, just then, a loud, buzzing noise
was heard. Struck by sudden, terrific
ends and @ tora snp +%raoS went over on her beam
the spray sweeping her fore and aft.
AN attempt was made to lower the boat,
but 1T was dashed to fragments against
the ships side.
-, The wind blew great guns 1t shrieked
aRs nhS a. q hyena IN the ,quivering, shrouds,
WhIrllng foam and spray.
Mo BOAT could be lowered now.
Lost! The boy is lost!' groaned the
captain. what will she say when she
hears OF it-that it; pushed her brother
He had not the courage to tell her.
Hours passed, and he walked the deck
ilke a madman. By this time the storm
had abated. For a few minutes the moon
shone; then it was hidden by the clouds.
and darkness again fell.
II cannot tell Mabel cannot wake
! will H.
truth soon enough!' muttereu the
wretched man.
Not long after, the dim light of CON-
ing dawn struggled through the gloom.
A solemn look rested on the faces of the
sailors. Every eye was turned towards
All at once, from the steerage, emerged
a slender youth. The captain stared,
aghast Then he started back with a
terrible cry. 1t was Jack Wilton he saw
1.-The cabin-boy whom he thought he
had pushed overheard ON the previous
night.
He rushed up to the boy and caught
him by the arm, while the astonis6ed
seamen all came running aft.
What does this mean? Speak!
Speak,! he ygasped. Il pushed you out
of the, long-boat into the sea, and here
What? Oh, Mr.. Barton! What. ="
az death. you don't mean~
"Speak out! Speak out, tell your
roared the skipper, trembling in every
limb. Il say I thought I pushed you
overheard You were asleep, as I
thought, there on the lookout, and"
"I-I-" stammered the youth "No,
it was not I. My sister came and said
she would take my place. She insisted,
and, putting on my hat and cloak. 70
that no person might guess it was she,
sat down in the boat and sent me below