The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-25

granted that Butler sends Bates and me
home; you stay behind, what's to become
of you?"
/ "ihaL's my business"
mot yours only. I'm closer to you than
Butler till you're married. I've right to
consider your safety anyway. You're
here through my help; your convict ship
adventure was Of my bringing about. It's
my duty to see you safe out OF the mess
| your romaneing love has carried you into.
| An angry answer was on my lips when
the door Of the berth close beside me was
opened and Tom stepped out. | had not
imagined he was there. Will changed
color. My sweetheart. with the pleasant
est smile l had vet seen on his face. put
his hand On the lads shoulder and ex-
! claimed:
Il couldn't help overhearing you. john
stone. But Pm in time i hope 10 stop
more from being said than you'd wish me
! to eaten. l admire your devotion to your
cousin and thank you for it. 1t is what
| should expect Of one with Marian's blood
| in him. Step this way, that our friend IN
the after-cabin yonder may not hear me"
He led us into the berth l slept in and
closed the door.
"Johnstone." said he. 'I'll ask you
question or two. How do YOU know that
| didn't attempt TO scuttle the Arab
| Chief?"
The lad looked startled and answered,
II don't know, yet I'll swear you never
made the attempt"
You wish to think me inn ocent, but you
can't be sure.'
ION the top of Collins story l am sure"
said viii.
"Chaw! what is that evidence? Mere
hearsay; the talk of scoundrel seaman
| perhaps against his captain, and it's two to
one still even at that. How is Bates to
know Pm guiltless? How is Marian. ex-
cept of her great love and noble devotion
| and faith in tn hold iun0nnnt of q
charge on which an intelligent jury and
sagacious Judge condemned me, lmprls-
oned me. expatriated me? Now said
| he. talking with perfect temper, i've
right to prove myself an honest man to
you all, haven't l? The machinery CT
proof, by marvellous ordering OF Provl-
dence. happens TO be on board; I'm little.
at a loss how to handle it; advise me.
| tombstone"
l seated myself at this point, and he put
his arm around my neck, with light. sar-
castle smile as he looked at the lad.
There's nothing to be done out wiring
the truth out Of the beast" said Will.
How? As you wiring swab? Advise
me. tombstone"
My cousin colored. looked down and was
silent.
My lad," said Tom, after pause, "you
cannot counsel me. OF course not. Neither
can Bates. What's the key then to fit this
lock? Why patience. And patience means
that | must keep my brace OF villains
aboard this brig till they confess. or sicken
and die. never parting with them till Eve
torn the jewel they've robbed me of out of
their black hearts. If SEND you home
you'll have nothing TO complain ot?"
NO. sir. But Marian--?"
Marian shall accompany you"
"Never!" L cried, tiinging his arm from
my neck TO look at him.
Marian" he said, tenderly, you will
dn what | Wleh a han tjDla
man could swiftly strike out of such an
amazing business as this full and salts
flying plan. You'll do what l wish, and
help me out by obeyiug."
But You mean to hang Rotch. Captain
Buter?' said VIII.
Sin time | may, tombstone, even If 7
have to carry him to the South Seas TO do
it. But the Villains span, You see. is not
yet allotted as far as | am concerned"
"Capiain," said VIII, Pm sorry inter
fered or spoke to Marian. You're a man
OF homer; you'll do what's right by my
cousin"
Tom smiled at him.
'4on viii never get me to leave you."
said !, jumping up and grasping my sweet
hearts arm.
You're tired. dear; the air Is soft on
deck; the evening is cioudess and beauti-
full. Wrap yourself up and I'll carry
chair for You on to the deckhouse roof"
But matters were to come to a head more
swiftly than ever had dared dream. We
had left Tristan five days behind us: in
all this time the brig had gnawed her way
10 windward on a taut bovine. the breeze
holding fresh and steady off the bow. the
blue seas flowing In long. deep lines. Rotch
throughout was waited upon by Mr.. Bates.
And first as to this man Rotch
l frequently questioned the mate about
him and gathered this: he spoke little and
ate poorly. ne craved for drink as til ough
hn hrr -
and Bates put plenty of fresh water into
his cabin and rum enough to poison him
out Of hand, if ever he should have mind
for what would now call Barney-Aaron
drench. Bates told US the fellow was
growing very thin in the face and falling
away In the BODY; already his clothes were
fitting him i'll. He was restless, and Bates
seldom entered his cabin without finding
him pacing the little square of deck 1t
was Toms wish that Bates should attend
to the man; he was afraid to trust himself
with him and Will was young and green.
and might by some well-meant whisper
halk my sweetheart's scheme to terrify the
man into confession of truth.
Once, when Bates went in with the
prisoners dinner, Rotch, leaning against
his bunk with his arms folded-so the mate
described him-asked where they were
sailing the brig to. Bates answered,
plainly. TO England" Rotch said,
with me?" Bates replied, "He means to
keep you with him till you prove his ipno-
cence; time will be granted if you then fail
he'll hang you. He's man of his word:
when you made convict of h i'm you made a
devil of him. He no longer holds human
life in vslue. He'd shoot you through the
head with as easy a heart as a felon
brains warder." Suppose ! do what
he wants-what then ?" asked Rotch. II
don't know" answered Bates. Find
OUT" said the man.
When this was put to Tom, he said
Let him confess, let the document bear
his signature and be properly witnessed.
and III hand him over to you, Bates-to
you and to VIII along with this brig and
cargo-Pn leave you in the channel bv tie
first Frenchman who'll put me ashore i'm
his country; what Miss Johnstons will do
We'll consider First let the man confess"
This was repeated to Rotcb, who said TO
the mate, What would you do with me p"
Establish Captain Buffers innocence"
answers the mate. "rhe sooner Won d q il
the better you'll be used" Rotch made mn
answer.
From this time, during the days I am
now dealing with, he continued obstinately
silent. sullen, scowling figure of a man
as Bates pictured him, losing flesh as
though he tasted, asking for nothing but
fresh water to mix his rum with-for
nothing but that. The brig had a few
books. The mate placed two or three in
Rotch's berth. They were never touched.
Thus it was with Captain Samuel Rotcb.
whom L never once set eyes on after
the day when he had been ordered into
his berth and locked up by Tom He was