Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-01-09
sci III d nuUuer. --Is'lJ a org pear-
''Have you ever seen an elephant?'
inuuired Hezekiah cautiOuSly


"Well, it's as big as that, nearly, -
said he.
The temptation was irresistible, and
Miss Rumbolt, telling her father that
she should not be long, disappeared into
the house in search of her hat and jacket,
and ten minutes later the brawny row.
ers were gazing their fill into her deep
blue eyes as she sat in the stern of the
boat and told Lewis to behave himself
It was but short pull out to the
schooner, and Miss Rumbolt was soon
OH the deck, lavishing endearments on
the monkey and energetically prodding
the bear with handspike to make him
growl. The noise of the offended ami
NAL as he strove to get through the bars
of his cage was terrific, and the girl was
in the fall enjoyment of it when she
became aware of a louder noise still, and
turning round saw the seamen at the
windlass.
''Why, what are they doing?" she de-
manded. Getting up anchor?"
"Ahoy, therep' shouted Hezeki.. i
sternly. "What are you doing With
windlass?'
AS he spoke the anchor peeped over
the edge of the bows, and one of the
seamen, running past them, took the
helm.
"Now, then," shouted the fellow,
''stand by. Look lively there with them
sailsp'
Obeying a light touch of the helm,
the schooner's bowsprit swung round
from the land, and the crew, hauling
Justify on the ropes, began to hoist the
sails.
"What the devil are you up to?" thun-
dered the skipper. "Have you all gone
mad? What does it all mean?''
It means,' said one of the seamen,
whose fat, amiable face was marred by
a fearful soowl, ''that we've got new
skipper -
Good heavens, mutiny!' exclaimed
the skipper, starting melodramatically
against the cage and starting hastily
away again. "Where's the mate?'
"He's with us, said another seaman,
brandishing his sheath knife and scowl-
ing fearfully. He's our new captain. !"
In confirmation of this the mate now
appeared from below with an ak in his
hand, and, approaching his captain,
roughly ordered him below.
9TH defend this lady with my life, y
cried Hezelliah, taking the handspike
from Kate and raising it above his head.
"Nobody'n hurt hair of her beauti-
full head" said the mate, with tender
smile.
''Then l yield" said the skipper,
drawing himself up and delivering up
the handspike with the air of a defeated
admiral rendering his sword
Good" said the 1nate briefly as one
of the men took it.
"What!" demanded Miss Rumbolt ex-
citedly. cain 'tyou going to fight them?
Here, give me that handspike. y
3 Before the mate could interfere the
sailor, with thoughtless obedience, hand
ed it over, and Miss Rumbolt at once
tried to knock him over the head. Being
thwarted i'll this design by the man TAX
ing flight, she lost her temper entirely
and bore down like hurricane ON the
remaining members of the crew, who
were just approaching. They scattered
at once and ran up the rigging like cats,
and for few moments the girl held the
deck. Then the mate crept up behind
her, and with the air of man whose
job exactly suited him clasped her tight
ly round the waist while one of the sea-
men disarmed her.
'You must both go below till we've
settled what to do with you," said the
mate, reluctantly releasing her.
With wistful glance at the hand
spike the girl walked to the cabin, fol-
lowed slowly by the skipper.
''This is bad business" said the
latter, shaking his head solemnly, as the
indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself.
Don't talk to me, you coward, said
the girl energetically.
The skipper started.
81 made three of 'em run, said Miss
Rumbolt, "and you did nothing. You
just stood still and let them take the
ship. I'm ashamed Of you
The skipper S defense was interrupted
by a hoarse voice shouting to them to
come on deck, where they found the mu-
tinous crew gathered aft round the mate.
The girl cast look at the shore, which
was now dim and indistinct, and turned
somewhat pale as the serious nature of
her position forced itself upon her.
''Lewis, said the mate.
"Well," growled the skipper
''The ships going in the lace and
brandy trade, and If so be as you're SEN
sible you can go with it as mate, dye
hear?"
can s'pose I do. what about the
lady?" inquired the captain.
"You and the lady'll have to get
spliced, - said the mate sternly. "Then
there'll be no tales told. A Scotch mar
riage is as good AS any, and We'll just
lay off and put you ashore, and you can
get tied up as right as ninepence.
marry coward like that?" demand.
ed Miss Rumbolt with spirit Not if I
know it. Why, I'd sooner marry that
old man at the helm.
cold Bills got three wives already to
my sartin knowledge" spoke up one Of
the sailors. 1.-The lady's got to marry
Captain Lewis. SO don't let's have no
fuss about it. %
"I WON'T said the lady, stamping
violently.
The mutineers appeared to be in a
dilemma, and following the example of
the mate scratched their heads thought
fully.
''We thought you liked him, said
the mate at last feebly.
sYou had 10 business to think, " said
Miss Rumbolt. "You are bad men, and
you'll all be hung, every one of-you. l
shall come and see it. -
''The cap n S welcome to her for me, "
murmured the helmsman in a husky
whisper to tie man next TO him. ''The
vixen!'
Every good, - said the mate, ''if you
won't, you won't. This end Of the ship'll
belong to you after O'Clock of a night.
Lewis, you must 60 for'ard with the
men. -
''And what arc you going to do with
me after?' inquired the fair prisoner.
The seven men shrugged their shoul-
ders helplessly, and Hezekiah, looking
very depressed, lit his pipe and went
and leaned over the side.
The day passed quietly. TIE orders