The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1895-02-06

"Bless you, lass, why, who wouldn''
be, if SO be he had the chance?"
After which they talked in whispers
as the crew came aft, busying them
selves with the gear. As the day grew
the wind dropped, and toward 8 O'Clock
they were sailing slowly down Graves
end reach. The tide was nearly done.
'I'll bring up just below the Owens,
matel'' cried the skipper presently. "H
this breeze drops at sundown, 'twon't
be very pretty on the river.
"Aye,' said the mate. "It don't look
very pretty now. Belize there won't be
any wind come flood"
''Take a pull on your main sheet
hereP' cried the skipper. ''Flatten in
your wang bit, then let the jib and
taups'l run downP'
They had passed the buoy and were
rounding to, to bring up midway be-
tween the Owens and the powder hulk
under the lee of East Tilbury forts.
Down fores therel' shouted the skip
per as he clapped the helm a-lee. "Stand
by your anchorl Let gol
There was a sudden rattle of rushing
chain, and with it shriller cries and
shouts of pain. The boy had got mixed
up with the chain. His hand and arm
were badly crushed.
"Good heavensp' cried the skipper
when he got beside them forward "How
the shivers did you manage that? Why.
this is hospital job.
There's no two ways about that,
skipper, " said the mate But the boy,
a lad of about Is, lay silent, struck sense
less by the pain.
"Well, what's got to be has to be. :"
said Dick ruefully. "You get the boat
hauled up and Ned down into her when
he comes to, while l run aft to tell the
missus and put the light out. Well
have to leave her in charge of the dog"
In half an hour or SO all their arrange
ments were complete. Dick came on
deck and tumbled into the boat
80 long, Bella, lassl'' he cried as he
sighted her standing watching their
departure. "The foods come up. Well
soon jog along and be back again long
before 10"
Then they vanished in the haze astern.
1t was silent, beautiful night, dark,
clear and cold, as Bella stood on the lit
tie quarter deck, accompanied by Vix-
en-, Dicks retriever, looking away over
the stern where the cleaning lights at
Gravesend and Tilbury threw glow of
shimmering twilight into the sky. Near
NJ bapd raacoino mn apd do17y, +to csroa +
black river, steamers and sailing craft
went silently on their way, LIT with
sparks of twinkling light. Here steam
er scurried past, radiant with rows of
flashing ports. signaling hoarsely for
the watching pilots at Gravesend. There,
a sailing craft, approaching close, threw
her sails into the wind as she went
about with a 1utter and roar of canvas
and changing lights.
1t was growing cold. So, followed by
the dog, she went below. Here she seat
ed herself before the cabin stove, stir
ring the fire to ruddy glow. The dog
nestled beside her, eying her wistfully.
'Poor little dog" she whispered.
tYou want your master, don't you? So
do ], Vixen. Come, what shall we do
to make the time pass? Put up those
new curtains have-eh, doggie? Then
Dick will hardly know the old lodging
(bunk) when he comes back. "
So they busted themselves thus, the
dog watching anxiously, until Bella was
satisfied and stood back to view the re-
suit.
''Therei'' she cried, ''I do call that
pretty. Why, 1 believe
Just then the dog cooked her ears and
growled.
whats the matter, Vixen?" cried
Bella as she strained her ears to listen.
"aush, it's only masterI Good dogp'
But Vixen knew better. She few up
the cabin steps growing vioiously.
Suddenly there was loud cry. Then,
as muffied curse broke the still night
air, Bella heard dull thud, after
which the dog snarled no more.
In another instant Bill Hanson stalk
ed into the cabin.
"What do you want?" cried Bella,
who, now that she saw who it was,
threw fear to the winds and stood bold
ly confronting him.
81 want you, Bella. And I'm come
to fetch you.
You're mad, Bill Hanson" cried
the girl angrily.
81 don't know anything about that, "
the man returned hoarsely. 81 know
love you, and I'm going to take you.
What else dye think I'm here for? I
sighted you coming away from the
wharf this morning, and if it hadn't
been for the old man I'd have been stow
ed away aboard the Sultana to watch
my chawnse easy enough instead of hav
ing to tow down following you all day
So now you're coming with me. u
''Neverl" cried the girl. You're
coward. If Dick were here, he would
kill you.
"Ah, he might But Dick amt here.
He's away gallivanting, leaving you
here alone. He don't love you, Bella.
Come away with me, lass. I've been
wild and gone on the beer. But I'll be
steady enough with you to help me-
Come, Bella, say you'll chuck Dick and
come along with me. -
"I hate you. would never speak
word to you, but you force me- cried
the girl "Go back to your boat. COP
"I'm not going without you, SC you'd
better come quiet, F" cried Hanson. grow
ing angry and making toward her.
But the girl, springing past him, rush
ed on deck and made the night ring
with shrieks for help
Hanson, cursing blindly, followed
her up the ladder.
You'll never see Dick again if You
don't shut that noise. Shut itl'' he
shouted, catching her frail, soft form in
his arms, ''or, by my soul, you'll nevel