San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-01-17
CHAPTER XI.
MISSING.

The gray dawn found Captain Ben
son asleep in his cot and Mr.. Matthews,
the chief officer, in charge of the bark
The circle of the sea ran with search
ing sweep black as ink against that lift
ing melancholy light of heaven, but in
few minutes the sun sprang clear, and
man alOft i'll the main tOpmast cross
trees, sheltering his sight while he
gripped a shroud, plunged his gaze far
astern and, hailing the deck, sang out,
Sail, hoH' Something, perhaps, that
had been passed i'll the night, or stand
ing north or south athwaTt the bark
wake, invisible from the deck as the
dome of st. Paul's, so that the mate,
after careless look, saw to the first
business of the day on board ship
washing down the decks.
The first of the passengers to mako
his appearance was Mr.. Storr. 1t was
still very early. The little man went up
to the mate and, after some talk about
the wind, and the rate of progress, and
the fine weather, he said he had passed
a broken night.
TOO hot, perhaps?" says the mate.
bad dreams" answered Mr. Storr
And, what's stranger than that, my
wife was troubled with Nightmares
also. "
How is Miss Holroyd? Have you
heard, sir?" inquired the mate
Il don't know. If her cabin had been
next mine, then, surprising she'd been
restless, talked deliriously, and so forth,
might be able to account for our hav-
ing been disturbed with ugly sleeping
fancies But one cannot hear through
two or three bulkheads. "
"NO, sir, " answered the mate.
81 can't help thinking" continued
Mr.. Storr, that something must have
happened i'll the night to account for
my wifes and my own restlessness and
dreams.
cts odd that you should both have
dreamed"
The little man drew a step closer to
the mate, and after a swift glance round
the deck exclaimed with a degree of
earnestness that rose almost to agita-
ton: "Mr. Matthews, l don't mind
telling you there is something in the
looks Of several of the ten gentlemen
which is making my wife and me very
uneasy. The robbery of the arms chest
was very extraordinary; if a practical
joke, purposeless. If the design of the
thieves IS menacing one, where are
the arms? And who are the men that did
it? And what object have they in view?"
There's nothing to be done, sir, but
to keep our weather eye lifting, " an
swered the mate in a low, cautious voice
''Then you are suspicious yourself?"
The prudent mate responded with a
grave smile.
Where could they have hidden the
goods?" exclaimed the auctioneer
Heavy muskets and great cavalry PTS
tolls aren't easily concealed. Both my
wife and l have particularly observed
the people at your end, at table and on
deck. They dress mainly in light, airy
clothes and we cannot discover that
they are armed.
Good mercy" cried the mate, with
start. II should hope they're not,
sir"
Cant Captain Benson do anything?"
"What would you suggest?" inquired
the mate demurely.
This puzzled Mr.. Storr. After a short
silence, 81 quite understand, said he,
1.-THE delicate position the captain is
placed in. He couldn't batten them
down on mere suspicion. They'd claim
heavy damages on the ships arrival and
ruin the old gentleman and perhaps his
employers And yet fear they'll make
it an uncomfortable passage for us.
Never to be able to 60 TO bed Without
Here, turning his head, he saw Captain
Trollope passing i'll his lounging walk
from the companion to the rail. AYE, :"
said he, raising his voice, "a grand
morning indeedl But we shall need
more wind, MIR. Matthews, if we're to
get round the Horn quickly"
At half past s that morning three
chairs were empty at the cuddy table
The little captain came out Of his cabin
looking unusually stern, and the ash or
gray Of anxiety was mingled with the
sea red Of his complexion. He ran his
eye down the line Of gentlemen on either
hand and missed the huge form of Mr.
Mark Davenire.
"Where is Mr.. Davenir6?" he said to
Captain Trollope.
johnson tells me he's not well, 1"
answered Trollope.
Trollope began to eat, as though the
matter was Of no consequence to him.
II hope your daughter is better this
morning, ma'amf" says the captain to
Mrs. Holroyd.
Decidedly better, thank you. But
the doctor has ordered her to keep her
bed" answered Mrs Holroyd, till
noon,