Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-29
CHAPTER VI CONTIAUED.

CHAPTER VI CONTIAUkD.
Its me morning, SIR" said Mr..
Poole dryly.
Others arrived, among them Captain
Trollope. Poole watched the tall figure
CT the man intently as lie paced the
deck. seeking III appetite for his break
fast. While he stared Mr.. Hankey
swung out CT the cyddy front and came
up the poop ladder.
Good morning, Poole. I say, old
man." he said, with an ipsinuatirg
lcer. ''what was the sllindy about last
night in your oabin?'
"Tiero was no shindy," answered
the second mate coldly.
IA noise Of voices disturbed me-
said Mr.. Hankey.
you'll Ceten hear a noise Of voices
ut sea, said Poole, looking aloft, with
the idea Of finding III excuse to sing out
an order.
Mr.. Hankey walked over to Captain
Trollope. 'Tho breakfast bell now rang.
What is more delicious to hungry
man at sea than the smell CT eggs aud
bacon? The oUddy air was full of il, and
the table was delightfully."- hospitable
with hams, pies, boiled beef, galley
rolls, butter. yellow and sparkling with
brine, and what good cheer besides?
The captain came out of his cabin, the
2adies assembled. In Il few minutes the
long table was full. the mate at the
bottom, and every lee window blazed
with sunshine white with foam.
did we make good run in the
night, captain!" said Mr. Storr
Eyes, sir.
You were q good deal about, weren't
you, captain:" said Mrs. Peacock. II
heard your voice.
"The seas an up and down life, mad
am" answered the cid skipper.
"ThGt girl opposite is taking US all
in" said Johnson to Davenire, with his
eyes OH his plate
(Which Of us would she choose if the
chance Were hers:" answered Davenirc,
with cool smile as he met tho fine
eyes Of Miss Mansel.
"Wese you disturbed by the shindy
last night, Mr.. Mattkews?" said Han
key. calling down the table while he
cut himself & slice of ham.
"Shindy's a strong word, " answered
the mate with O troubled look and a
glance ct the skipper SIS it English:''
what took place in the night?" said
Captain Trollore.
The mate seemed to be listening to
what Mr.. Dent was saying. The mer.
chant talked Of wool and horns the
prosperity Of the colony and the duties
~ hn
trickled on down both sides of the table
till, breakfast being nearly over, Mr..
Isaac Cavendish started up. Instantly
Captain Benson shot out Of his chair,
and, graspinS the table, his face discol.
Ored by 90 passions and feelings, he
cried oct, IL request that nobody will
quit the cuddy till have made state.
ment."
A deep silence followed this. All the
people stared. Mrs. Peacock turned of
q dead white. Mrs. Storr seized her
husbands arm. Mr.. Cavendish sat
down. and every face on either hand
the table was directed at the captain
Mr.. Matthews quickly and keenly
glanced Mt some of the men. Their faces
expressed simple wonder and great Gu
riosity tinctured with expectation of
amusement. Captain Trollope pulled
his mus:ache while he watched the
skipper. In fact. his face sat almost ex.
pressionlcss behind that abundant deco
ration.
Il hope no alarm will attend what
I'm going to say. refer to you, Ia
dies, began tho old, white haired man,
very purple. very agitated. This ship
carries an arms chest, containing weap-
ons Tor the defense Of the people aft in
case of trouble forward or in case of
any other difficulty" he added, slut.
tering on spunkily, with look Mt Troll.
lope such as he would direct at a blacf:
squall he couldn't see through. 1.-THE
chest was in the second mates cabin.
The look has been smashed and the
whole Of the weapons removed"
Mr.. Storr's Jaw fell.
with what object?" asked Mr.. Dent
endeavoring to speak as though he fel,
perfectly cool.
I'VE don't know, sir. But what We
certainly do know is the thief is in tn,
ahipA"
AT which end Of her do you imas
Inc Captain Benson?" asked Captain
TroiIope coldly and haughtiiy.
I'VE shall dnd out, SIR" Responded
tho skipper. speaking with so marks O
dtetike and suspicion Of the man.
"But, good gracious, captain, are ",
In danger?" said Mrs. Holroyd.
In no danger whatever, madam"
do You suspect anybcdy:" called on
NJ. Masters. jerking the words at TIL
captain with petulance that was Liz
1nsolence.
The lock smashed, d'you say?'' ex
claimed Mr.. Storr, ''That would hav