Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-12-02
HER ONE ERROR.
OR
THE FISHERMAN'S BRIDE.
CHAPTER XVII.
PURSUIT.

room, so she has gone up for the
night, said Saul to his companion, as
they came within sight of the dwelling.
CHATS well: you'll have the less trou-
BILE with the child"
''That's her berth--the small window
over the lean-to?" observed Yawmans,
pointing IN the direction.
eyes, I'll go upstairs for some
small matter, and. in leaving the
room, shuttle the door between the
rooms. "You say you've already
tried the roof Of the shed; the window
opens easily, and the girl sleeps
sound"
cay ay, capt'n, it's as good as
done, returned the other, confident
ly.
mo hurt to the brat" mind" said
his superior; edo as / have already
told you, Old Dorcas is prepared;
she'll be wei! cared for: | don't want
to hurt the girl, once she's out OF the
way"
Trust me, capt'n-trust Mat Yaw-
mans to do your bidding" rejoined
the other
''They will scarcely be asleep yet, :"
abserved Meghorn; "better wait
awhile! Meantime, Yawmans, you
shall drink success to our first engage
ment in a glass of the old sort"
cay, yer honor; I'm with you there,
with all my heart" said the mate:
and he followed his commander into
the house, both treading softly, open
ing and closing the heavy doors with
caution.
|:AIl laid, !" muttered Saul, as he en-
tered first the ordinary room where
supper was set; and, as [ said, Nelly
had taken care things should wear as
inviting an aspect as possible.
'She might have known that [ was
to have company" he murmured,
half aloud. "Sit down-make your
self at home," he continued, flinging
aside his cloak and hat, and lighting
the lamp, he set it on the table.
cts many a long day, yer honour,
since | broke bread at your table, "
said the mate, rubbing his hands, and
placing himself at his ease. "It's the
old times, and no mistake; I'm twenty
years younger this night, " he added,
with a mild oath.
"Fall to, my lad--fall to-" said
Saul, when he had stirred up the fire,
and completed the general arrange
ments for their comfort cts fitting
my trusty mate should sup with me
tie last time | shall ever break bread
under this internal roof"
He had tossed off a bumper ofspirit
at the commencement of his speech,
and was preparing another to follow.
cay, ay, yer honour may well say
that. Nothing or earth SO slews a
man up as this--long-sho life It
took five years use out of my arm
that--eighteen months that Hay
by
"We'H make it up in double-quick
time; trust me, my lad, we'll make it
up!" exclaimed Meghorn, with an oath
as grace to full glass OF rum.
''Cut away and never spare, he
cried, as he passed the several dishes
to his worthy subordinate. ''Who
comes after may fare as he can. And
who will that be?-ha! ha!-here's to
the empty nest.
Yawmans echoed the boisterous
laugh of his chief, and pledged him.
The latter was evidently bent on
washing out in thepotent liquor every
tinge Of remorse that may have lin
gered about his resolution-his reck-
less humor was fast increasing. AS
for Yawmans, he needed no screwing
to the point-his conscience and his
brain were alike proof against the
promptings of mercy or the fumes OF
alcohol.
'|Then you'll take the other craft in
tow, capt'n, YOURSELF" said Mat, as he
warmed with liquor and companion
ship to something Of the free COM
munion of old times.
"My wife, sir!" and Meghorn turned
on the other the fiery gaze OF those
dark, commanding eyes.
"Beg pardon, capt'n wishing the
lady all success and a pleasant voy-
age in the Daredevil"
'fLet any aboard breathe SO much
as her name out of place, said Saul,
haughtily, still holding the other be-
meath his glance, and his post won't
be worth much"
AS he spoke, his hand had wandered
to the cutlass he always wore beneath
his coat, and fingered there a minute
after he had gradually withdrawn his
eyes from his guest to the glass he
was filling.
"For George, yer honour, not a
trustier servant shall the lady have
aboard than Mat Yawmans, said the
mate, when a minute had elapsed,
sand I'll swear, when the lads know
as much"
''There is no need they should
know" interrupted Meghorn; haughti-
w. ''At least, they will bide my in
forming them; you Yawmans, l trust
as my shadow"
"Well, now, capt'n and aren't |
proud OF your confidence, and have |
deserved it? You will give a fellow
your good word, SO far" =
'I can't say you have not" said
Saul, relapsing into his former mood
of forced reckIessness.
He evidently stove off the hour OF
action as far as possible, Yawmans
nothing 10th, good liquor being al
ways acceptable; and. the pair drank
and talked Of old times, or smoked