Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-07-27
CHApTED TX.
THE MAN WITH THE BELT OF GOLD.

THE MAN WITH THE BELT OF GUILD.
More than a week went by, in which
the ill-luck that had hitherto pursued
the Covenant upon this voyage grew yet
more strongly marked. Some days she
made little way; others, she was driven
actually back. At last we were beaten
so far to the south that we tossed and
tackled to and fro the whole of the ninth
day. within sight of Cape Wrath and the
wild. rocky coast on either hand of it.
There followed on that q council Of the
officers, and some decision which l did
not understand, seeing only the res.It:
that we had made a fair wind OF a foul
one and were running south.
The tenth afternoon, there was fall
ing swell and thick, wet, white fog that
hid one end of the brig from the other.
All afternoon, when | went on deck, l
saw men and officers listening hard over
the bulwarks-''f breakers" they said;
and though | did not so much as under
stand the word, | felt danger in the air
and was excited.
Maybe about ten at night, was sery-
ing Mr.. Riach and the captain at their
supper, when the ship struck something
with a great sound and we heard voices
singing out. My two masters leaped to
their feet.
''She's struck" said Mr.. Riach.
mo, sir,' said the captain. We've
only run boat down."
And they hurried out.
The captain was in the right of it. We
had run down a boat in the fog, and she
had parted in the midst and gone to the
bottom with all her crew, but one. This
man Gas l heard afterwarD had been
sitting in the stern as u passenger, while
the rest were on the benches rowing.
At the moment of the blow, the stern
had been thrown into the air. and the
man (having his hands free, and for all
he was encountered with a frieze over
coat that came below his knees had
leaped UP and caught hold of the briggs
bowsprit 1t showed he had luck and
much agility and unusual strength, that
he should have thus saved himself from
such a pass. And vet, when the captain
brought him into the roundhouse, and |
set eyes on him for the first time, he
looked as cool as | did.
He was; smaIlish in stature, but well
set and as nimble as q goat; his face was
of q good open expression, but sunburnt
very dark, and heavily freckled and
pitted with the smallpox; his eyes were
unusually light and had kind of dane
ing madness in them, that was both en-
gaging and alarming; and when he took
off his great coat, he laid 4 pair of fine
silver mounted pistols on the table, and
| saw that he was belted with a great
sword His manners, besides, Were eIe
CANT, and he pledged the captain hand
somely. Altogether I thought of him,
at the first sight, that here was q man
[ would rather call my friend than my
enemy.
The captain, too, was taking his obser-
vations, but rather of the mans clothes
than his person. And to be sure, as soon
as he had taken off the great coat, he
showed forth mighty fine for the round
house of a merchant brig; having hat
with feathers. a red waistcoat, breeches
of black plush, and blue coat with
silver buttons and handsome silver lace:
costly clothes, though somewhat spoiled
with the fog and being slept in.
M veXed, sir about the boat" says
the captain.
There are some pretty men gone to
the BOTTOM" said the stranger, 'sthat I
would rather see on the dry land again
than half a score of boats"
Friends of yours?' said Hoseason.
"You have none such friends in your
country" was the reply "They would
have died for me like dogs
'Well, sir" said the captain, still
watching him, E'there are more men in
the world than boats to put them in
"And that's true, too" said the other;
''and We seem to be a gentleman of great
penetration
81 have been in France. sir" says the
captain; SO that if was plain that he
meant more by the words than showed
upon the face of them.
swell, sir" says the other: land so
has many a pretty man, for the matter
Of that"
mo doubt, sir" says the captain; "and
fine coats.''
"oho!" says the stranger, sis thai
how the wind sets?" And he laid his
hand quickly on his pistols
Don't be hasty," said the captain.
Don't do a mischief, before We see the