San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-21
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swered the commander courteously and
gravely, having rallied his wits with
that sort OF intellectual nimbleness
which the sea captain peculiarly stands
in need of "atfect most people as sur
pIises. /, who have been to sea nearly
all my life, never hear such yarn as
this of yours, for instance. but that !
am shocked more or less. A little ship
washing about helpless, three men
never knowing what's going to befall
them from hour to hour, the master
dying or dead Of paralysis in the cabin.
Such tale should easily move the ten
der heart of young woman.
The Yankee watched him while he
delivered these words in his odd, deep
voice of lamentstion.
pray, sir, said he, twill you kind
ly tell me how long Miss Mansel has
been in this brig with you?''
The commander replied:
"Can you inform me if she has any
relations, any connections in Australia
or England Is she English or colonial?'
He approached Boldock by stride to
hearken.
"She is stranger to me, SIR" an
swered the commander, with harden
ing face.
"You have no interest in her, them"
"She is q lady passenger on board
this brig and under my care"
you'll not take what I'm going to
say in an onkind sperrit. l hope, " began
L. 10 ~,
Miss Mansel was in, "I'm woundily
taken by that girl, and that's fact.
Never saw such eyes in my life. Would
she be willing, d'you reckon, to cone
along with me?"
The commander, who bad been seated
till now, sprang out of his seat and turn
ed his immense face, red as story at
sunset. upon the American.
"Oh." said the Yankee quickly.
"don't let there be any misonderstand-
ing between US. What I've got in view s
life partnership. As commander Of
this brig, it's in your power to make a
man and woman husband and wife by
reading your marriage service before
EN-"
81 decline to discuss this subject"
said the commander, and turning his
broad shoulders upon the skipper he
went up the steps. The Yankee imme-
diately followed.
you've treated me very handsome
w." he exclaimed. 81 hope I've not Of
Tended you?"
81 will not believe that you meant
any offense, sir" responded the COM
mander. Suppose, now, we proceed en-
our respective voyages. "
He took the mans proffered hand
and walked to the gangway and raised
his hat to the salutation of the sombre-
70 when the boat was pulling for the
American brig.
The Mexican was a mere smudge OF
pearl in the far blue. The water was
shivering to strengthening breeze,
and the English ensign at the Welles-
ley's peak rippled with the musical
note of brook in wood in a summer
month.
"Mr. Hardy" said the commander,
walking aft, "get way upon the brig,
sir. {"
AYE, aye, sir, answered Mr.. Har-
dy.
"Will you step below and get some
breakfast, Mr. Matthews?" said the
commander.
Thankfully, SIR" answered Mr..
Matthews
The order was given, and the briggs
yards were swung.
Hardy, said the commander, stand
ing beside him, 81 spoke favorably of
the American this morning. recall
my words. They no longer march, in
my opinion. at the head of civilization.
81 never should have thought of put
ting them there, SIR" exclaimed Mr..
Hardy with one of his leering looks at
the commander. "The right place for
'em is where the noise comes in. The
band don't lead, the pioneers walk
first"
"But, all the same" said the COM
mander, looking at the American brig,
which was now slowly sliding away on
the Wellesley's quarter, "our friend
yonder has given me wonderful piece
Of news, and guess, to use his phrase,
that our ten friends of the nuggets will
find themselves handsomely cornered.
Yes, Hardy, you may dip to him."
CHAPTER XIII
HALLORAN ISLAND.
II was the tenth day since the seizure
of the ship, red afternoon, islands OF
white vapor in the sky sailing very
slowly over their shadows in the sea
southwark. These noble masses Of vapor
hung bulked in lofty terraces far south.
In the midst Of that wide space OF
waters floated the Queen, with her bow
spirit pointing toward the coast of cloud.
The wind followed her. 1t was light
wind, and she blew slowly onward, not
wholly the same graceful fabric that
Benson had commanded. Indeed you
had but to look aloft to see that mischief