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

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myself. 'sIf she keeps at that, / shall soon
arrive--somewhere."
sat on deck that night longer than
usual, partly to keep sharp lookout,
partly to enjoy the bracing breeze 1t could
not be called clear night, but there was a
strange light on the sea, half aerial, half
phosphorescent, that would have made a
sail visible at a considerable distance had
one chanced to come that way, which It
didn't.
About II o'clock went below, and bay-
ing fed my family Of rats--a thing which I
did as regularly as l said my prayers
turned into bed. lay long awake, how
ever, with premonition that something
was going to happen. 1t could not be
called painful feeling, rather a vague
sense Of some impending change that
might prove important. However, l fell
asleep after time without disturbance
of any sort.
The sun was already level with my peep-
hole windows when l awoke. After dress
ing leisurely went on deck to go through
the usual morning exercise of sweeping the
ocean to see whether any sail had wandered
into view. At first could discern moth
ing and concluded was still all alone. but
presently, taking second look, 1 deserted
2 the tiniest black speck-it might be a float
ing hat-between me and the horizon. NV
heart thumped In sudden excitement.
Now, what the deuce is thatfn found
myself saying with quickened breath. "It
doesn't look like sail. No. IL can't be a
sail. II were anywhere in the track of
civilization, should say it was a buoy.
But buoy where ships never appear to
come would be an impossible piece Of abb
surdityn
gased with all my might, rubbing nv
eyes when they were dazzled and smartinp
and going at it again like one whose hone
OF salvation Is conferred in his seeing prop
erly. My curiosity increased without
bringing me any clearer knowledge Per
haps t'ssome monster fish taking the sum-
said aloud, as If had listening compan-
ions. But no fish that had ever heard of
was fond Of being broiled alive. 1t did not
move nor show signs Of life. "Flotsam.
jetsam, ligan''-I went over the possibili-
ties, Pieces of wreckage, goods sunk by
pirates to be found again at convenience
Neither theory was satisfactory, anS, nv
anxiety was feverish. Its The Old Man OF
the Sea, ,'"I thought frivolously, ''ora a mer-
maid-no. it's too black for o mermaid.
The creatures are fair"
But l was too painfully interested to
give way to whimsical spirit, SO in good
earnest conjeotured. propounding theories
to myself and Immediately rejecting them,
rubbing my eyes when they saw double,
taking turn about the ship to ruminate
making childish compact with myself
not to look again for Y minutes and Yield
ing In ID seconds to the spell of the black
speck. l gazed till / saw double. treble,
quadruple-tili my head was swimming
and Thousand objects were leapinR and
whirling Enthusiastically on the light gray
horizon. Then thought it prudent to stop
gazing for a little and went below for
breakfast.
1t was hasty, perfunotory meal that
morning, for in less than five minutes
was On deck again. palpltating with de
sire for knowledge. The black speck was
still on tho glittering plain-distinct. mo-
tionless, mysterious as ever. The gentlest
breeze blew In my larboard quarter, and in
my eagerness l ran to the helm, forgetting
that 1t was a splintered wreck, as potent
Tor its purpose as the tail of a molting hen.
Then, finding 1t was to be game of watch.
ing. Ihnrriedly rugged hammock out of
the tangled cordage and sails and climbed
into 1t, intent on discovery. Hours passed
without bringing Enlightenment. The
burning sun beat down on a shimmerinp
brazen seq whose metallic sheen made me
giddy and nearly blind. The breeze died
away and the brig lay idle. In all the vast
silence there was not a sound save the
humping OF my own heart, nor a visible
object save that aggravating black speck.
By and by went below with some Vague
idea OF luncheon, immediately rushing back |
on deck more eager than ever. Hardly had |
l swung myself into my place than leaped
down again, calling out, as if the immense
vacancy were peopled, that beyond doubt |
the thing moved and was growing bigger. |
Then altar aNvhila I
the flutter Of flag. and understood the |
black speck was boat with man in it. |
And he saw the brig
"Ye-hoofo / cried, with q leap of ioy |
"Deliveranoe at last" And / ran about |
the deck like one possessed, shouting, 'De- !
liverance, deliverancel" and could have |
wept for gladness.
But all at once a cold chill struck me to |
the marrow and put an end to this exhibit |
tion. What II this were some of the crew
returningl For one brief moment my mind |
was blank with fright, but the next had
taken my resolution. Swift as ever man
prepared for an enemy got two pistols and
musket, loading them and laying them
on the deck ready for use. Then went to
Mr.. Watson's strongbox, smashing the lid
with an iron bar and taking thence the
longest sword could find. That being of
a good weight and sufficiently keen, Sc
lected a Turkish dagger, and a sailors long
knife, and two more reyolvers, with some
ammunition. Then arranged my armory
and waited for the boat. It was now close
enough to enable me to discern that there
was but one man in it, discovery that
gave me confidence. With such an arsenal
and the natural advantage of my position
the deuce was In 1t If couldn't give a good
account of myself.
The man was rowing hard, and the boat
came quickly over the sleeping water.
When he was Within hailing distance, l
stepped to the bulwarks and leaned over.
In the same moment, resting on his oars, he
turned to look at me. My first care was to
find out whether or not he was one of the
crew, but very brief examination sufficed
to show that be was not He began to pull
again, and ]. thinking my warlike prepara-
tions slightly overdone, hastily put my
weapons out OF sight, reserving just brace
OF pistols and dagger to meet emergen-
cies.
My visitor did not come close alongside,
but held OF little distance, as IL doubling
the reception he should receive He was
an Arab and showed signs of distress.
Row upp l called In English, never ex-
pecting him to understand that language.
Allah is mercifull" he responded joyfully
In the same tongue, and with two or three ,
vigorous strokes he was alongside. Then
for minute or so we silently took stock of
each other. I was not enamored of his
looks, and perhaps he was just aaf little in
love with mine.
You seem rather in a bad way,n re-
speaking first.
Allah Ia mighty scoureer," he said
with shruR of his tawny shoulders.