The morning call., 1893-06-18

his resolution TO give the two devils the
alternative of confesSing the truth or oi
being hanged worked in me like strong
and flaming drink and ran my blood in
ire 10 my very finger ends.
You're never in earnest, Butler?" said
the mate in low voice.
Tom scOwied At lin.
Why. man. consider; put your respecta-
bilily Oh one side and rehect-those two
fellows swore me into Jail. nto the hulk,
into the convict ship, into long months OF
association with felonS whose crimes-many
of them-baTey stopped short OF murder. Ii
is to their training of me they'll owe tn ell
hanging II II comes to ii. They've made a
devil of ne. They shall find me devil"
Mr. Bates glanced at me somewhat ner-
vously and said: "Well. Butler first LET'S
get them; then we shall be sure they're the
men. and when we've got them we must
hope they'll confess"
They'll not go out of this ship alive un-
less they confess" said Tom.
'If they confess under terror will their
confession help you. slr?" said viii.
"Johnstnne Is the son of q lawyer,
Bates" said Tom.
But there's good sense in the question,
Butler" said the mate. "Thev may swear
their confession was lie; that they were
forced INTO telling it by your threats to
hang them"
THE terms of the confession shall pro-
vide against that, and every man in this
ship shall witness 1t. Let them confess
"Will R0tcE and the other be free here,
Tom?" asked.
Then we remain short-handed as be-
torp," said Will.
There's seaman along with the two
you've forgotten him." exclaimed Tom.
He'll make four, and Marian five."
a n a
yOu start?" exclaimed the mate.
North, Bates; l can't keep you and
young JOhnstOne at sea. Not likely.
You'll help me to work the brig as far as
Soundings; then go ashore in whatever
will take you. along with the yarn that
we'll manufacture before that time
"What'll you do ?" said the mate.
"Oh, kerD tbe sea-keep the sea until
Rotch and Nodder confess En-. Marian
This briggs tight little home for us, as
safe retreat in lis way as the island,
helping us TO such an issue of truth, or
justice or retribution as we should never be
able 10 work out in Glass settlement.
Eh, my brave girl? AS lief be here as on a
rock, and then the delights OF a devils
cruise with our two old Bailey witnesses
under matches! Whv, 'twould be like one
Of our old river and suburban launts-sO
pretty and lively that we may grieve when
the rogues' confession ends it,"
We'll take Miss Johnstone ashore with
u.s. said Bates, "when the time comes for
US to go"
/ looked at him with frOwn; Toms eve
was upon me and lie laughed, but with
little merrimant.
You and Marian I'll never handle this
brig alone" said Will.
Tom was looking at me and pretended
not to hear him. Bates left the table 10
see that all was right with the little vessel
By the time he returned Toms mood had
changed. He spoke quietly and without
the least temper of the morrow's arrange
ments. 1t was dark by the time the ia *
had ended. | lighted the cabin lamp, Will
the pinnacle lamp and Tom and Bates
walked tie roof of the deckho in earn
est talk. Will beckoned me out of the
cabin to where be was standing near the
wheel and said softly, marian, beware of
Tom, he's Deen driven mad"
No more mad than you are," said l.
What does he mean by talking of swing
ing the two men?'
"PlI telp him If he asks me-" said I.
And be hanged. This is what comes of
of himself as devil. He talks like one,
anyhow. Worst of all, he's making you
one. There shall be no hanging. by God,
if I'm here TO stop II, though Butler should
pistol me for interfering"
You're excited and I'll not talk with
you"
Mustn't he be mad" he exclaimed.
careful, however. to keep his voice sunk
TO threaten to sail about with you alone
in this brig till the fellows under matches.
as he calls it, confess. Suppose they make
up their minds to see which will tire first I?
Besides. how are two of you to sail brig
of this bulk. Why, his island scheme was
beautiful sanity alongside this bit of roar
ing madness"
"I'l ask you to mind your own busi-
ness" cried. Have YOU heart? Have
you any capacity of feeling? Did those
they've brought him to. And shall we
not right ourselves in our own fashion if
the chance offers? Wear irons as Tom
has. sweat in forced labor in con vct's
dress, be ruined, degraded, broken-hearted,