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

Ildid my hand on the htlt of my rcUolUer.
volver with wink of significance, re-
marking that n man might get very rich if
he had only the heart to dare. He looked
at me for moment with curiously ques-
tioning eyes, which began to glow in their
dark depths.
Its the best thing ever saw" he said
emphatically. Did you do it alone and
by magic;"
Alone and by magicr' repeated, with a
swagger And why not?"
You are hero" he exclaimed admir-
ingly ITO take ship is great thing.
Twenty men, to whom blood was a joy,
have failed where you have succeeded
alone. And you haveall this" with a COM
prehensive wave of the hand, las the re-
ward of your cOurage-enOugh to build a
palace and buy slaves and have the pleas
ures OF a sultan. How did you do it?"
The fool opens the windows of his mind
to the passerby,"I replied, taking a turn
about the deck, but the wise man shuts
them"
You are III prudent as you are brave"
he remarked laughingly, though l could
see M reply had cut him. Keep thy own
secret and tell it to no one, for he who re-
veals a secret is no longer master of it. a
wise proverb, ard Yet there is another that
has wisdom also. Conceal your secret only
from such as are known to be indiscreet,
but impart it to him who has the prudence
to keep it"
I'VE talk of proverbs when we ought to
be eating and drinking" l said. You
must be in need of rest and refreshment."
THAT 1 am" he replied warmly. These
many days and nights have been smitten
by sun and moon wi ,hout morsel of bread
to stay my stomach or a drop of water to
cool my burning tongue"
Then" | returned, you suffer from
three things, for which talk is no cure
hunger, thirst and WEAKNESS. Let US see
what rejection may be got out of the ships
stores"
May Allah grant you lifelong bounty
and the prophet receive you in the home OF
the faithful!' he answered in a burst OF
fervent piety. The brave are ever gener-
GUS" he added, following me down the
companion ladder, convinced that was the
king of buccaneers.
Pronouncing fervcnt bismillah, or grace
he fell to ravenOusly, swallowing the vic
tuals in huge mOuthfuls and washing them
down with copious drafts-frst of coffee
then of rum.
Were it not for the sweet reality of this
eating and drinking" he said in his bland
est manner, Il could believe it all vision
and you bcneficent genie. But this ban
quot is too good for Il genie. III do not re
turn thanks day and night and remember
your name perpetually, may Azrael drag
me to the uttermost depths of the pit"
Though eating with a vigor that would
have been too much for the capacity of any
two ordinary men and never forgetting
what was due to Il succoring host, he show
ed lively interest in his surroundings, and
when the meal was over proceeded al
his suggestion to make Il complete survey
of the brig. To explore the hold, with
which we began, it WAS necessary TO get 6
light This | gave to Abram ben Alden
making him prccede me, SO that by III
chance might he take me unawarcs from
behind.
1t Is a good plan to keep a doubtful
guest always in front you.
A. We made our examination, coming or
pile upon pile of stuffs from the looms Of
India, ne was ready to burst in sheer covet
business, though striving to hide it. He hat
never known a man to take such prize anG
he would he happy if l only allowed him t
be my slave that he might learn from MT
the secrets of successful piracy.
You are greater than Ran Dahid, whose
prizes made him so rich and powerful thai
he married Il princes daughter, for he hat
his crew, and you are alone and but
] youth. IL Is d great uay LOT me Wnen du
permitted to know you and be near you"
Again | made light of my achievement
treating the taking of a ship as if were bu
the amusement of an idle hour. l swag
gered a good deal. but l am sure that il
spite Of all my bravado looked but an in
different pirate.
When we returned 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 thu
deep" he remarked, land yet perchanct
the tempest has favored you"
You speak like magician" replied.
Nay, by the prophets beard. you are the
magician" he said quickly. You ridt
the storm to fortune; the very elements
are your slaves. A magician indeed you
are. Yet the ship is hurt. The helm hang
useless as broken bough, nothing to guido
the ship, and over yonder is the Persian
gulf" he added, significantly.
Il know it," I answered carelessly.
There you may be among friends" h,
ventured, with look of intelligence.
If am among foes. the worse for them,
responded.
Verify, l believe it," he said. with unc
ton.
Thoroughly confirmed in the belief tina
1 was a man Of desperate and bloody deeds
he grew confidential, entertaining me will
an account Of some Of his own exploits a!
freebooter and corsair, and dwelling will
the relish of devil on scenes of cruelty
aid death.
"Then you lied when took you OF
board, ;" said sternly, interrupting him il
the midst of his narrative. Even a sea rob
Der may have his code Of honor, and for thu
present my foible was to hate lying.
Gould guess your trade from that girl
ish face;" he asked, with an impudent grin
You might be missionary ship"
II am no liar" said severely, while con
science whispered ''Impostor."
And / swear by the rover's flag vii
follow truth, said the rogue, with broad
er grin than ever. Are we not brothers