The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-29


chuck all their hardware over the side
or I'll chuck the whole lot of them like
so many sausages."
COrtOlvin lifted up his voice in sonor~
Gus Arabic. at was written" he cried,
that the gaiour should prevail. 1t is
written also that those among you hav-
ing wit shall cast your weapons into the
sea. 1t is written, moreover, that those
of you who do not on this instant dis
arm shall taste again Of the scorching
breath of Elbis."
a stream of weapons leaped up
through the air, and fell into the swells
alongside with tinkling splashes.
1T would be a WEAKNESS to guard
you" Cortolvin went on. "Swear by the
beard of the prophet to make no further
attempt against this ship or we shall
gaol you fast in DEATH"
A forest of trembling black hands shot
up before him.
I'VE swear!' they cried.
Then it is written that you keep your
VOW" said Cortolvin. God is great!
| See now to your sick" He turned to
| Kettle, and touched his ragged turban,
after the manner of an officer reporting.
| 1.-THE mutiny is ended, sir" he said.
Capt. Kettle swung himself lightly on
to the upper bridge and telegraphed
full speed ahead" to the engine room.
The propeller spashed in the oily
swells, and the Saigon gathered weigh.
Sullen and trembling, the pilgrims be-
gan to tend their hurts, and presently
McTodd, with large copper kettle on
his hand descended among them and
distributed oil and surgical advice.
There were none actually killed at
my end" said COrtolvin.
| Il dropped four said Kettle. 81 had
to. 1t was either me or them. And my
old mate aXed half a dozen before they
let him be. Wed a tight time here
whilst it lasted
1T will require good lump Of
bachshish to explain it all satisfactorily
at Kosse:r."
| so, l can't go near there now after
this. No custom house for me, sir.
| shall just run in shore dozen miles
short of it, and put the besgars on the
beach in my boats, and let them get into
Kosseir as best they can. l suppose
you'll come back with me-?
! II suppose So Anyway, l can't go on
with them"
| Il can imagine" said Kettle, dryly,
| they'd give you a lively time, if they
had you to themselves for five min
utes. The Sons of the Prophet don't
admire having Europeans messing about
the Kaaba. But L owe you something,
sir, and l shall be happy to go out of my
way to serve you. l will drop you at
Suakim, or at Alden, or at Perrin, where
l am going to coal, whichever you
please"
But what about yourself%"
30, shall be all right. 1 am seldom
in need of a nursery maid, sir"
But if this affair gets into the news
papers, inquiries will be made, and
you'll very possibly find yourself in an
lugly hole"
1T won't get in the papers," said
Kettle, thOughtfully THE pilgrims can't
tell, my officers daren't for their own
sakes, and you leave me to see my coolies
ldon't. Newspapers" he repeated, dreami-
ly, queer the hint should have come
like that"
What hint? What are you talking
about"
Il remembered then where I'd seen
your name, sir. 1t was in the Times of
India, general news column"
What was saidW
L Nii. Slls l. SupIOSC oOu u Dc
told. But you must hold up for a hard
ish knock Will you come into the chart
| house for Il minute and have a peg?
NO, get along, man; get along"
Il think it was about your wife, sir.
Does she huntE 4r&
''All the season."
Then it will be her. I remember
now it said Richmond in Yorkshire, and
the name was Mrs. w. II. Cortolvn.
| She's broken her neck, sir"
| Cortolvin clutched at the white rail
| of the bridge. My God" he cried,
Dead! Julia dead! is that all, captain?"
1t was only two-line paragraph.
| You'll please understand how sorry /
| am to carry such sad news, Mr.. Cortol-
| vim"
Thanks skipper thanks" He turned
away and walked to the end of the
bridge and stayed there for a while,
leaning against an awnings stanchion, a
staring at the baking levels of the Red
sea, which were slipping past the Sal
CONS rusty TANKS. And then he came
| back again and stood at Kettles side,
looking down at the pilgrims amounting
| their scalds below. 81 have learned to
be something of a fatalist, captain" he
| said, when l was amongst those people.
| This is how l sum the situation. 1T
| was written that my wife should die
whilst was away. 1t was written also
| that l should live. God ordered it all.
| God is great
| Capt. Kettle gripped his hand in SYM
| pathy. I'm sorry for you, sir; believe
| me, l am truly sorry. If you think bit
of poetry about the occasion would help
| you at all, just you say, and I'll do it.
| I'm in the mood for poetry now. All
| things put together, we've been through
| a pretty heavy time during these last
| few hours"
Thanks, skipper, thanks" said Cor
| tolvin. Il know you mean well. And
now, if you don't mind, I'll leave you. l
| think I'd like to be alone for bit"
"YOu do, sir. Go and lie down on my
bunk. I'll have you a beautiful elegy
written by the time you're back on deck
| again. 1t will comfort you"
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