Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-04-27

and on the many small boats swinging
In readiness from the davits was the
word "Wanderer.
AS on the Sea Hawk, everything on
board the Wanderer was in tho state Of
perfect order which old sailors deslg-
nate as "ship-shape.
The crew were powerful, flerce-look-
ing fellows, and, though there was not
one man with gray hair or beard visible,
all were in that golden prime OF life
when experience restraints the impulses
OF youth, without lessening its activity
or vlgor.
The majority of the crew was de-
cidedly English, but accent and face
told that the minority was composed of
many natlonalltles; not an unusual
thing In this day when England, in Or
der TO recruit her warships, sent press
gangs on shore, and. II occasion re-
qulred, did not hesitate TO force into
her service the sailors Of merchantmen
overtaken on the high seas.
When nations became robbers In self
defense, 1t is not to be wondered at
that pirates were plenty, as much for
their contempt for law as their desire
for plumber.
With one or two exceptions the Off
GERS were men between 80 and 40 years
Of age, and there was that in their man
ner that told of perlls daringly met In
the past; and the adventurous spirit in
their stern, restless eyes showed that,
like their beautiful ship, they were
wanderers, impelled on and on by the
spirit Of adventure, which, though rife
in that age, cannot be said to be pecu-
liar to any.
Capt. William Fox, commander Of the
Wanderer, looked like u man in every
way qualified for his duties. He was
about 80 years of age, rather slender
and OF medium height, with hair and
beard that would be called golden" by
the poetic and red" by those OF pro-
sale turn. His eyes we're blue, but with
that steely CLINT that is rarely seen ex-
cept in eyes Of gray.
Capt Fox must have been in these
waters BEFORE for when a yacht came
alongside Offering pilot, he shouted
down.
Il know the channel, and can't fail
IL | keep In the wake Of the Sea Hawk.
He seemed the very personiflcation Of
activity, but 1t was activity without
nervousness. His short, quick COM
mands were given with decision, and
obeYed with the promptness and regu-
larlty Of fine mechanism.
After the anchors were down, and the
sails furled, Capt. Fox said to a black
eyed officer, some years younger than
himself:
Come to my cabin, Mr.. Frenauld. l
wish to speak with you"
Aye, aye, sir" replied Lieut.. FIRE.
nauld, touching his cap and following
the Captain down the companions way.
The cabin Of the Wanderer was quite
In keeping as to neatness with the other
parts Of the ship, but the furniture was
such as even an admiral could not have
Afforded. The place was crowded with
works Of art. The walls were covered
with pictures, the most homogeneous re-
liglous pieces being hung side by side
with fierce battle pictures, and rude
cupids placed in companionship with
winged cherubs and seraphic madonnas.
Through the open doors OF some of
the staterooms opening into the cabin
the same lavish adornments could be
seen, giving the idea of floating art
gallery, rather than the quarterssof Off
GERS on a ship of war.
And this lavish profuslon of wealth
was visible in the persons Of the Off
GERS, certainly in the two who now re-
tired to an inner cabin.
Their fingers were half covered with
rings, In which emeralds OF deepest tint
and diamonds Of purest water flashed,
and the buckles on their shoes, or
pumps" as they were then called, were
masses Of the same gems.
After closing the door of the cabin be-
hind him Captain Fox pointed the lieu
tenant to a chair and sat down himself.
This done, he deliberately pulled off
his pumps, and drawing "a palmer pair
from drawer near by he put them on.
He then removed his finger rings and
threw them, with the shoes he had taken
off, into box.
I'VE must put away these things for
the present, Mr.. Frenauld, said Captain
Fox. 1T is well enough to wear them
at sea, where the sight of them will in
spire our men to deeds Of greater valor,
but here they may create suspicion, and
that is the very thing we must avert"
OF course, sir, replied Lieutenant
Frenauld, and he at once removed his
Jewels, going into another room to re-
move his pumps. Coming back, he
asked
Shall 1 instruct the other officers,
Captain2"
No; have ordered them to wear
nothing that does not accord with their
rank as officers in the service of the
good Queen Anne"
Captain Fox hesitated, and Mr.. Fren-
auld nodded, and said:
l understand, sir.
Il expected that Captain Denham
would have done me the honor Of visit
the instant the Sea Hawk came to on
Choir
Cad, sir, he would have visited us
before that il he knew who we were, I"
said Lieutenant Frenauld, with low
laugh.
The Captain frOwned, bit his lips, and,
evidently ill-pleased with his subordi-
Mates levlty, he continued as II he had
not heard it.
Perhaps should not blame Captain
Denham, for this is his home, and the
home Of most of his officers and men,
and it is natural that ne and they should
hurry ashore to see their kinsmen and
sweethearts.
A sweetheart in Domains case, sir,
for, as we know, he has no kin here.
You forget, said the Captain, tap
ping the table with the tips of his fingers
and frowRing.