The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-15

| what was due to a succoring host, he show
| ed lively interest In his surroundings, and
| when the meal was over we proceeded at
his suggestion to make complete survey
| of the brig. To explore the hold, with
| which we began. it was necessary to get a
light. This l gave to Abram ben Alden,
making him precede me, so that by no
chance might he take me unawafes from
behind
1t is a good plan to keep a doubtful
guest always in front OF you.
As we made our examination, coming on
pile upon pile Of stuffs from the looms Of
India, he was ready to burst in sheer coyet-
BUSINESS, though striving to hide it. He had
never known man to take such prize, and
he would be happy II only allowed him to
be my slave that he might learn from me
the secrets of successful piracy.
You are greater than Ran Dahid, whose
prizes made him so rich and powerful that
he married princes daughter, for he had
his crew, and you are alone and but a
youth. 1t is great day for me when am
permitted to know you and be near YOU"
Again made light of my achievement;
treating the taking of a ship as II were but
the amusement of an idle hour / swap-
gered good deal. but am sure that In
spite of all my brayado looked but an In
different pirate
When wereturned on deck, the wreckage,
which he had not noticed at his first coming
on board, caught his attention.
You have been amid the terrors of the
deep" he remarked, ''and yet perchancs
the tempest has favored you.h
You speak like a magician" replied.
Nay, by the prophets beard. you are the
magician" he said quickly. "You ride
the storm to fortune; the very elements
alavaa d.
are. Yet the ship ishurt. The helm hangs
useless as broken bough, nothing to guide !
the ship, and over yonder is the Persian |
gulf" he added, significantly.
i know it" answered carelessly. |
There you may be among friends" he |
ventured. with look of intelligence.
IF am among foes. the worse for them, - /
responded.
Verify, believe IT," he said, with unc-
tion.
Thoroughly confirmed in the belief that
was man OF desperate and bloody deeds,
he grew confidential, entertaining me with
an account of some of his own exploits as
freebooter and corsair, and dwelling with
the relish of devil on scenes of cruelty
and death.
Then you lied when I took you on
board, /" said sternly, interrupting him in
the midst of his narrative. Even sea rob-
Der may have his code Of honor, and for the
present my foible was to hate lying.
Gould guess your trade from that girl II
fsh facef he asked, with an impudent grin.
You might be missionary ship"
II am no liar" said severely, while con-
science whispered "Impostor.n
And l swear by the rover's flag will
follow truth" said the rogue, with broad
er grin than ever. Are we not brothers. II
and should not our souls be as dials in the II
sunlight Yea, and love the brave Eng
lishman. In Egypt and Africa have not
known him, and in the Persian gulf have
not seen with Joy his skill in slashing off
heads' He is the angel demon of the world.
He will make good the black Ethiopian.
and sell rum and take ships and make him
self rich with what others have gathered,
love him as a brother"
Naturally l was gratifed by this high
and impartial testimony to the noble quail
tiles OF my countrymen.
In his rummasing Abram ben Alden came
upon my armory.
What man of arms you are to be boy
in yearspi he exclaimed, with some excite
ment. Here are weapons for whole ships 1
crewl' And selecting a sword he drew it
from the scabbard and began to feel its
edge.
Not so fast" said, stepping up to him
"These are dangerous You talk Of magic; I
let me warn you OF the magic there Is In (
these weapons" III
Yea, believe In their magic" he an
swered oomplacently, but is it not the
magic OF the arm that wields themf know
a good blade when see it. Choose ye one.
and we will have some sport. May per
ish II am not forgetting the ring and the !.
CLEAN of steell See, see how it bendsl IT'S
a well tempered blade Yea, aud it Is light | /
in the hand" And he made circle of sun. L
beams about his head. stepped back, my | +
hand instinctiyely seeking the hilt of my |
pistol, and said indiferently that was not
In the humor for sport The truth was | | J
was not in a humor to take any present | Z
risks not absolutely necessary. With a
shade OF disappointment and vexation he
thrust the sword back into It's sheath and
returned 1t to its place.
We had an early supper and went early !
to bed, my guest getting closed off berth 4
to himself i lay awake until Iheard his
stertorous snore; then l crept softly up
stairs, and gathering all the weapons to-
gether carried them down and hid them in "A
my cabin 1t was better that Abram ben &
Alden should not be tempted to do mischief
while slept