San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-01-24
MansaI. trYlnp 20 lift her head.

Mansel, trying TO lift her head.
"Pray proceed" said Boldock.
Another was Mr. Mark Daveni-e,"
the girl went ON, "a huge, dangerous
looking man. / fancy that the person
they called Captain Trollope was the
head Of the company, but never could
make sure, never could pick up any hint
or catch any look to suggest an idea.
They were very cautious-seemed not
to know each other at first, walked and
talked in couples. and their conversa-
ton at the table was all about nothing
at all One night the arms chest was
broken open, and all the arms stolen.
''Ohop' said the commander, opening
his eyes wide, with such sudden fiery
sniff of his nostrils as rounded them al
most to the ridiculous fancy of the grin
ming lips of pair of oarronades.
1--WE were all very much alarmed, I"
continued Miss Mansel, land the cap
tain in the morning ordered the cabins
to be searched. But no arms were found.
The cabins of the ten men were ran
sacked, and the men themselves assisted,
shouting with laughter, elbowing the
two officers and finding nothing but fun
and horseplay in the serious business.
The commander broke into her speech
with low whistle, while he bestowed
upon her a train of significant mods.
SIS it not an extraordinary story?"
said Miss Mansel.
GsTf Y,rop,iSaS IN no tho rnnct aytra0r-
binary that ever was heard of at sea, "
answered Boldock.
The young lady smiled wanly, but did
not continue to speak.
Don't distress yourself, said Boil
dock. 81 will return in a minute, mad
am"
He rose, with his inflamed face full
of good natured, sailorly concern, and
stepping into the cabin drew bottle
of Madeira from locker and filled a
wineglass He returned and presented
it to the young lady, who. however, as
may be supposed. was in no condition
to release her arms. Boldook, swaying
on his legs with the full wineglass
poised in his fist, gazed with embarrass-
ment at Miss Mansel, who bit her lip
and flushed deep with the sense of her
state. scarcely knowing what to do with
her eyes.
"There's but one way, if you'll per-
NIT me-" said Commander Boldock.
and sinking upon his knees he passed
his arm with affecting tenderness un-
der her head and wet hair, thus raising
her lips to the glass, and so she drank.
The wine gave her animation. Boldock
resumed his seat ON the locker, and
Miss Mansel proceeded. 81 think it
must be last night. I cannot be sure,
indeed. Can you guess how long l had
been in the water when you picked me
up?'
"Not very many hours" said the
commander.
"Then it might have been last night
at about half past 8 or 10. 1t was a
close night, very hot under the awning.
| saw the large sail that hangs upon the
middle mast hanging down upon the
lower deck and thought / would go
there for quiet and GOODNESS. l sat down
at the foot of the mast. All was in deep
shadow. While l sat in thought two
men came to the other side of the mast,
lighted their pipes and began to talk. l
knew them by their voices. One was
Mr.. Patrick Weston and the other Mr..
Dixie Caldwell. They talked low, but
clearly. They were a little needless
with drink, fancy. What heard as
tonished, terrified, turned me into stone.
/ gathered that one of the ten, called
Hankey, had plundered the arms chest
when everybody was on deck looking at
burning ship and dropped the weapons
through the window overheard. They
talked of the Queen having $500, 900
worth of gold in her, and then l under
stood the meaning of the presence of the
gang in the ship. They spoke of the