The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-09-07
CHAPTER VII.


am told by people who have been sea-
sick that the sound of the waves beating
against the hull comes in time to be an
intolerable torment. But bad as this may
| be 1t can be nothing in comparison with
| the pains I suffered from tho same n.usC
as recovered my senses. My brain seemed
| to be a cavern into which each moment
with rhythmical regularity which added
the pangs of anticipation to those of real
ity, the sea rushed, booming and thunder
ing, jarring every nerve and straining the
walls to bursting and making each mo
ment of consciousness vivid agony. And
this lasted long-how long l cannot say.
But it had subsidized somewhat when first
opened my eyes and duly, not daring to
move my head, looked up.
| was lying on my back. About foot
from my eyes were rough beams of wood
disclosed by smoky yellow light, which
fickered on the knotholes and rude joists.
The light swaycd to and fro regularly, and
this adding to my pain | closed my eyes
with moan. Then some one came to me,
and 1 heard voices which sounded a long
way off and promptly fell again into a
deep sleep, troubled still, but less painful
ly, by the same rhythmical Shocks the
l
When l awoke again, had sense tC
know what caused this and where was
in berth on board ship The noise
which had so troubled mo was that of the
waves beating against her forcfoot. The
beams so close to my face formed the deck;
the smoky light came from the ships Ian
tern swinging on IA hook. l tried to turn.
Some one came again, and with gentle
hands arranged my pillow and presently
began to feed me with spoon. When
had swallowed few mouthfuls, gained
strength to turn.
Who was this feeding me? The light
was at her back and dazzled me. For I
short while took her for Petronilla, my
thoughts going back at one bound to Co
ton and skipping all that had happened
since left home. But as grew stronge
/ grew clearer, and recalling bit by hi
what had happened in the boat l recog
nized Mistress Anne. / tried to murmu
thanks, but she laid cool finger ON IN.
lips and shook her head smiling ON me
you must not talk" she murmured
"You are getting well. Now go to sleel
again"
shut my eyes at once as child might
Another interval of unconsciousness, pain
less this time, followed, and again | awoke
was lying ON my side now, and withou
moving could SEQ the whole of tho tin
cabin. The lantern still hung and smoked
But the light was steady now, and hear
no splashing without nor the duh groan
ing and cracking Of the timbers within
There reigned quiet which seemed bills
to me, and l lay wrapped in it, IN
/, thoughts growing clearer and clearer eac
moment.
On sea chest at the farther end of Oh
cabin were sitting two people engaged 1
talk. The one a woman, / recognized i'm
mediately. The gray eyes full of CON
mand, the handsome features, the reddis
: brown hair and gracious figure left me 4
no doubt, even for moment, that locke
on Mistress Bertram. The sharer of he
seat was tall, thin man, with a thought
full face and dreamy, rather melanchol
eyes One of her hands rested ON hi
knee, and her lips as she talked were clos
to his ear A little aside, sitting ON I'll
lowest step OF the ladder which led to I'll
deck, her head leaning against the timber
and a cloak about her, was Mistress Ann,
l tried to speak and after more tina
one effort found my voice. where al
II" whispered. My head ached sadl!
and fancied, though / was too langui
to raise my hand TO 1t, that 1t was banS
aged. My mind was so far clear that
remembered Master Clarence and his pu
suit and the fight in the boats and kne
that we ought to be ON our way TO prison
Who, then, was the mild, comedy gentl
man whose length of limb made the oabi
seem smaller than 1t was? Not jail.
surelyY Yet who elseS
/ could compass no more than a viii
per, but faint as my voice was they a
I heard me and looked up. "Anne!" II
elder lady cried sharply, seeming by h,
tone to direct the other to attend to IN
Yet was she herself the first TO rise an
come and lay her hand on my brow. "Al
tho fever is gonel she said, speaking al
parently to the gentleman, who kept h
seat. His head is quite cool. He will
well now, am sure. Do you know meS
she continued, leaning over me.
looked up into her eyes and read on
kindness. yes" i muttered But Il
effort Of looking was SO painful that
closed my eyes again, with sigh. Neye
theless my memory Of the events while
had gone before my illness grew cleare
and / fumbled feebly for something whiC
should have been at my side. where
where is my swordF' i made shift
whisper
Sho laughed "Show 1t to him, Anne,
she said. what never die IL Isl Their
master knight Grant, we did not forget
bring 1t OF the field, you see"
But how, murmured, "how did 20
escapei ! saw that there was no que