San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-28
CHAPTER XVI.
THE sEAMEN's STORY.

clothed in cold splendor, fioated one in
the wake of the other like two icebergs
over that desolate breast Of breathing
waters. In the morning it was very
fine and the heave Of the sea almost
gone, and when Commander Boldock
went on deck he found the bark within
pistol shot of his quarter. He hailed
her, and Mr.. Matthews. jumping into
the main rigging and. leaning of the
shrouds with one hand ON q ratline,
made answer.
Twill you do me the Kindness"
shouted Boldock, ito back your topsail
and send your boat for the lady and me,
as propose to do myself the pleasure to
breakfast with your
Forthwith the necessary maneuvers
were executed and Commander Boldock
and his betrothed were transferred to
the bark. The boat was then hooked on,
the yards swung. and the vessels pro-
ceeded on their course.
After Miss Mansel had been support
ed over the side she hid her face and
cried for some moments vehemently.
The horror Of recollection was too great.
Her heart was broken down by it. Mr..
Matthews arched his eyebrows and sent
a dry look at Trivett, the boatswain of
the brig, when the commander began to
soothe the young lady. William and
Harry came little distance along the
deck and stared.
She was overheard and was drown
3D." said the Dane, land, by my knife,
there she isl"
There's people," growled William,
whose face was stupid with surprise and
superstition and divers forecastle emo
tions as he surveyed the girl while she
stood weeping a minute in the gang
way. las can't get drownded. Ny grand
father knew Dutchman who was al
ways a-falling overheard from vessels
he belonged to when in dock. They
hear the splash, sing out to fetch the
drags, and, arter an hour or two Of
sweeping and creeping, up nd come that
blistered Dutchman, quite unconscious.
Of course, but with so much Of life in
him arter he was rubbed and dried his
first words was always, 'Anoder half
pint"
"GoodI" said little Harry, grinning
with all his teeth. II tell you what,
have seen a ghost. By Peter, she is
fine grill Look how she stands up at the
side of that old cock with the red steak
face. By Peter, there was business to
be done there! Observe me, Bill. Yon-
der's splicing job"
Miss Mansel, drying her tears with
one hand, the other being clasped by the
commander, was conducted by her sweet.
heart and Mr.. Matthews into the cuddy.
She then broke away and vanished in
her cabin.
"a very handsome little interior,
said the commander, straddling at the
foot of the table, his hands behind him,
and turning his crimson face about in
admiration, as though he was in pic
ture gallery. 81 hope you found your
effects intact, sir?'
Intact 20 shilling, am happy to
say" said Mr.. Matthews
Very airy and cheerful after the
cabin Of the brig" said Boldock, breath
ing deep. Amy dsmage?"
They pillaged some of the passen-
gers cabins, but you'll find Miss Man
sci hasn't suffered. They had done their
worst with her. They'd do no more. ("
THE bur lud-dy villainsp' exclaimed
the commander, making the sentence
tremendous by force Of emphasis and
slowness of delivery.
Those two men," continued the
mate, tell a queer yarn of the fellows
doings at the island. Will you have
them aft at once, or wait till after
breakfast?'
well breakfast first, " said the COM
mander, who was exceedingly hungry.
II am one Of those unfortunate people
who can't shift without ballast.
They made the rounds of the cabins.
The commander found much to say on
what he beheld. The main hatch covers
were then lifted, and they entered the
hold, where for some time on their
knees and hands they remained, view.
ing the wreck Of the massive casing in
which the gold had been stored. When
they returned on deck, very good sea
breakfast had been served by a Jack Of
the brig, one Of those useful seamer
who can cook and wait as we'll as hand
and steer
AS the commander and his compan.
ion entered the cuddy the door of Miss
Mansel's cabin was opened and the
young lady made her appearance. Boil
dock started. He could hardly credit hi
sight. He had been so used to see Mis-
Mansel in her dressing gown that, nov
she was prettily dressed in serge trim
med as gayly as a yachting costume, h,
scarcely recognized her. She had put
on a hat, a charming hat, with an os
| frioh feather coitad round IL The nan