Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16


We lived this life for o month. During
all that time the weather was glorious, and
we enjoyed 1t undisturbed. The brig float
ed lazily along, whatever wind there was
being mostly steady in the same quarter.
Not sail nor a soul did we see, and I had
but the haziest notion of our whereabouts.
II Abram ben Alden was better informed,
he kept his knowledge sedulously to him.
self. He seemed indeed too intent on pro-
viding entertainments to give thought
either to our course or our destination. We
told tales and sang songs and ate and
drank and fenced and studied, and all alone
on derelict, watsrloRged ship led the
most delectable existence Imaginable. My
companion fairly adored me. He antici-
pated my wishes, spoke INCREASINGLY Of the
unequaled deeds had done, and more
than once showed a strong disposition to
fall down and worship me.
81 have been a rover" he would declare,
with the JUNCTION Of man saying his
prayers, "but may Azrael seize me this mo-
ment II speak not the truth IN saying that
never have my eyes seen a man who
matches you in bravery and good fortune.
And you are but youth" he would add in
most engaging tone.
This continued till began to fancy had
enchanted the man, that he was verify my
slave, and had only to exercise my magical
power to bend him to my will as complete
~ as the most docile and obedient genie in
any Arabian tale of wonder. l dare say l
plumed myself on my ascendancy, dare
say put on airs, and have no doubt what
ever that Abram ben Alden, most adroit of
courtiers, most subtle of fiatterers, saw
through me and took my measure with
perfect accuracy.
n ~, oiD
thought he pressed harder on me than ever
before, and that his blade rang with unac-
customed sharpness. But the quickened
movements only made my blood run the
faster for by this time was both confident
and dexterous. We went at it as much in
earnest perhaps as any two men who ever
crossed blades for amusement, and re-
member the thrill caused by the thought,
What if he is trying to kill me? My op-
ponent was the first to cry halt. He was
flushed and out of breath, and fancied
that under his everlasting smile there was
feeling of veXation.
by the right arm of the prophet, you
are gallant swordsmanW he cried, recov-
ering his breath. Your eye is the sun and
your stroke flash of lightning. / would
not fight you for 10 shiploads of gold. The
man who fights you puts his life on your
oNOLo pOAhO' 40 q JSoO JONA now Oe"AASAA AAAJ
wind away, and by the breath of the desert
am hot. Come, thou champion brandisher
of steel, and let us refresh ourselves"
Ordinarily we put away our weapons as
soon as our exercise was doneA but this
evening we took them with us, and they
lay across our knees as we ate and drank.
Are we enemies?" cried Abram ben
Alden, laughing immoderately at the idea
of two peaceable and friendly men sitting
down to meat armed as for battle. Yet
somehow we did not lay the swords aside,
and when we went to bed we still had
them.
slept soundly that night and was late
in awakening next morning. On reaching
the cabin l found that Abram ben Alden
had not yet risen, and thinking to surprise
him, crept to his door. 1t stood ajar,
showing an empty bunk, made up as it had
been left the day before. l whistled softly
to myself, then going quickly on deck
looked for his boat. But it, too, was gone.