The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-02

tnued. "We'll hold Nodder's, and, if we
can get it, WE'LL hold Rotch's confession.
Well take very great care of them indeed :;
oh, yes, Trey shall he as precious-as pre-
cious-as what. Bates? Well. let's say Bank
of England notes Of the highest value
they're issued AT. Because they might vet
prove seryiceable by enabling me te.deal
with the ruifian blpnderer called British
law should its blind-guded hand make for
my threat again in the distant place where
you and may settle. Marian. But III
have no asking for pard0n."
Were long way from home yeti
/ said Bates. The sight Of the North Stars
bound to work a change in your hum or,
Butler"
"Bates, You don't know what you're
f talking about" exclaimed Tom. Keep
this in mind; that under any cIrcum-
for pardon for sins Pm guiltless of. But
when you talk of Nodder's confession YOU
forget this first, If return to England PM
a returned convict at large during SEN
tence which is a felony punishable by
Transportation for life. Next. they'd
charge me with piracy and bloodshed. as
| being concerned with others in Selling the
transport Chide Harold. Those are what
Johnstone's father would call counts l
suppose Is Noddar's confession going to
carry me clear of them? ?"
81 was mate of the transport, Butler, "
said Mr.. Bates. Then there is young
| Johnstone, who was an apprentice.
Wouldn't our evidence weigh? We could
prove YOU innocent of completely in the
seizure, and tell story that should do you
honor-how You saved my life-how Won
forced the convicts to yield up the women
and children!
81 want no pardon-Pd take nome"
cried Tom. striking the table with his fist.
''Pll never live in England again. I'll
take new name under any flag that flies.
and the flag whose people hate the Eng
lsh most is the flag FL love best"
| "Then." said Mr.. Bates. looking at me.
II don't see what's the good Of Butler
troubling himself TO eXtort confession
from Rotch."
"Oh, damn him. yes" cried Tom, shout
ing his words in a sudden fury. Hell
have to confess! He must con firm Nod
deI's statement and whitewash me with
another coat for your edi6cation. and to
enable Young Johnstone to put bit mo re
OF accent anu color into the yarn he'll spin
his father and mother. I'll keen him till
he does, and by Gods thunder I'll hang
him if he doesn't"
"Mr. Bates" said !. you have managed
marvelously well with Nocder. Surely
you'll bring the other wretch to confess"
"Read Nodder'S statement to him." said
Tom.
"He might snatch it from me and destroy
it." said the mate. There should be two
of us"
willis too young" exclaimed.
"I'll go with yon," said Tom.
They settled it so. and fixed O'clock for
the visit.
We were so slender a company in that
brig that [ was often put to the wheel; |
never regularly stood trick as sailors say,
when they were all wanted steered till
one Of them relieved me- l went to the
helm to send Collins on the deckhouse top
that Will might get his supper. AS l
quilted the cabin. Bates aod Tom went to
Roteh'S berth. There was some noise In
the wind at this hour; tho breeze blew
fresh, the short seas ran sharp and burst
shrilly, the race of foam on either hand
sent up a note Of boiling. there was much
merry whistlin9 in the rigging and faint
small thunder Of wind sweeping out of the
hollows through the curved foot Of the
sails.
So it happened that l could hear but
little OF what passed In the cabin. The
| wheel was small; l gripped it strongly; /
put my mind into the pinnacle stand and
watched the card very earnestly that the
brig shouid not run away with me.
Twenty minutes might thus have passed
! when | heard noises that rose high nbovc
the sound of the sea and the cries in the
rigging. viii shouted, Marian. there's
| murder dong!"
dared not let go of the wheel lest the
vessel should breach to and lose her spars.
| shreked with all my might to Collins,
wis came running headlong down the
steps.
"Take the HEINZ" l cried, and sprang
through the cabin door
a. that nstant Tom and Bates came out
OF Rotch's berth. The mate turned the KEY,
and thrust his shoulder against the door
to make sure AL was fast. Tom held a
handkerchief 10 his jaw. lie removed it
TO look at 1t, 1t was stained with blood.
What has happened p called out