The herald., 1896-06-14
thatched houses of a native village.

matched houses of a native village.
At two o'clock Captain Locke came on
deck, and took long look at the land.
Then he went below and sent up word for
Mr.. Barker the mate. to come below.
Mr.. Barker has not yet been introduced.
He was an elderly man. rough but yet
quiet-spoken, oid-fashioned salt, who had
been a long time in pickle, and looked it.
When the mate entered the cabin, Cap
tain Locke was seated at the table studying
chart, and occasionally looking at close
ly-written sheet of foolscap.
''Sit down, Barker" said Captain Locke,
with quick, evasive sort of glance at the
weather-tanned features of his subordinate;
and then, leaning back in his chair and
thrustng his hands in his pockets, he
spoke rapidly, with his eyes turned away
from those of the man to whom he was
talking.
Barker" he began, II have sent for you
to tell you our plans, and l want you to
fall in with them, and let us have no both
err"
AYE, aye, sir. Thank you kindly. You
have been very good to me; anything you
please"
"Very WE'LL Do you know these islands
here? Do you know anything of the peo-
ple?"
II suppose they are savage, like the rest;
eat shipwrecked sailors, but safe enough to
put into for wood and water if the boats
crews are well armed and keep their wealth
er eye lifting.'
'Oh, no, Barker, you are quite mistaken
about these particular islands. I know all
about them" ttis was lie). why, man."
and he looked at the paper he held in his
hand, these islands are well known.
Those Dutchmen. lie Marie and Schouten,
discovered 'em in 1616-nearly two hun
dred years ago-anchored here and stay
ed month or SO refitting" (another
ie). "Then Captain Cook spent a week
there, and some of his men ran away, be-
ing so much taken with the amiable char
acter of the natives" (more lies); "then the
Scarborough transport called here on her
way from New South Wales to Batavia a
few years ago. (the one true item), "and
heard the master Of her say that the peo-
pie are the finest lot of natives he ever
fell across. You see his report of the place
gives the correct position--latitude de-
grees 10 minutes seconds S., and longi-
tude 1853 degrees so minutes. Damned
smart fellow, the master of the Scarbor-
ough. i knew him when was running to
the West Indies in the Zillah.'
Yes, of course" assented the mate
"You see, sir, know nothing Of those parts,
not having been here before. But what
might you be a-considering OF, sir? We
has plenty of water aboard, sir.'
THAT is it," and Captain Locke shifted
uneasily in his scat. and his fingers toyed
with the pencil he held in his hand; then,
with his eyes bent upon the paper before
him, he resumed, you see, Barker, when
you told me your sad story. l was--damme
If wasn't-very much touched; and your
appeal to me to rescue your daughter, so
unjustly transported to New South Wales,
determined me to make the attempt But,
damme. Barker, l did not bargain to take
away whole shipload OF convicts besides
your daughter"
"No, sir. God knows we are indeed CRATE
full to you for what you have DONE"
'Very well,"' and again Captain Locke's
eyes wandered, but never sought those of
the anxious mate. NOW, 1 don't want to
remind you of what I have done for YOU.
But it has become necessary now that you
should do something for me-
"Most a-willingiy, sir. Why, sir, I will
do anything you ask
"Quite so. Barker. You see the case is
this''-and then for the first time Captain
Locke's wavering eyes made bold effort,
and looked into the mates. "You come to
me in England with a very sad story and
offer to give your life and your fortune
such as it Island all the rest of it, if 1 will
carry away your convict daughter. Dam
me, man. you touched my feelings most
damnably. Well, after we get to sea- you
hand me hundred guMeas to work the
oracle with the official people at the Set
tlement. You quite understand, Barker.
that am gentleman. 1 am not the mai
to pocket money for the service l have rem
dered you, eh? and then, conscious that
In this matter he was telling the bare
truth, Captain Locke's eyes looked straight
into the mates working features
"Oh, yes. sir. know you are above such
thing as that"
Every good. go to all sorts Of trouble