The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-05-27
6/ HEXRY

49, ~ Ab''i
taut; that was the Spanish sailor Gill
dee, who was in the Hamilton with
US"
That's the man, for all that" replied
Dick. II knew him at once, and he
answered to his right name without
question. The other was only assumed,
for reasons best known to himself"
Really" said the colonel, you can
not imagine how you interest me, l
must have a good look at this roman
tic figure next time / see him"
And. perhaps said Dick, Madame
de Montaut may also be interested to
know that she is sailing under the
auspices of s o celebrated a captail."
The colonel was here again in a diff
Guilty which he had not foreseen.
my dear Estcourt,.' he said, conf
dentially, to Dick, IF 1 were you I
shouldn't enlighten her as to the iden-
tity OF this tombstone with the hero of
your story"
Why" asked Dick. in establishment.
We'll, o may think ne absurdly
cautious, but 1t Is only for your own
sake l am. You know how anxious l
am for you success with Camilla"
Dick grew hot with mingled embar-
rassment n gratitude.
This man." the colonel continued,
"once tried-as 1 think you yourself told
us-to capture the Emperor by a des-
perate stratagem; my sister-in-law has
a a particular horror of him ever
since she heard this, for she
thinks he must have been act
uated by motives of personal NAL
ice - you know how her en-
thusiasm runs away with her. If she
is not told. probably will not think
of connecting this man with that in
cident merely because of the name. In
any case, If she is to learn of the iden-
tity, let it be through me, and not
through you, from whom she might
think the information in bad taste"
II don't quite see it" said Dick: but
no doubt you're right. I'd rather bite
my tongue out than hurt her feelings,
and I'm very grateful to you for the
hint"
Rain now began to fall heavily and
they were obliged to go below. The
wind rose in gusty starts, sail after
sail was reefed. and by the middle of
the afternoon the brig was scudding
along before the gale with her masts
almost bare. She was at all times I'M
usually fast. but she was now flying
along at nearly half again her ordinary
rate, and for six whole days she never
relaxed her speed.
In spite of the rain and the spray.
which from time to time swept over
her. Dick and Camilla spent a good part
of every day on deck, keenly sympa-
thizing with each other in delight at
the swift, exhilarating motion of the
vessel and the unchanging restlessness
and grandeur Of the waves over which
she passed so lightly.
OF the rest OF the company on board
they took but little heed. The mate new
er came their way. The captain was
reported still unable to stir outside his
cabin. where Dick, after one or two
more Intellectual requests for admit
lance, was quite content to leave him.
The colonel had struck up a consider
able intimacy with tombstone, whom
he pronounced to be not nearly such a
ruffian as he looked. When the ships
motion was not too violent he went on
tours of inspection with the new cap
tain, and was even foun M morning
alone In the hold. examining the cargo
with incomprehensible energy and in
terest.
II can't think" said Estcourt. laugh
ing, what on earth o can find to
amuse you in the sight Of all these
casks and cases"
"It is the thought of what they con-
tain that fascinates me-" replied the
colonel. who was in a humorous mood.
What cried Dick, stores and fit
tings fascinate you? That's a dry
taste!"
"Ah!" said NJ. de Montaut, but I
have the poets vision: I look beyond
the mere articles themselves to the re-
suits they may effect. These packing
cases. you say, are but necessaries for
the refitting of o u ship. 1 see more
han that. From the parts 1 reconstruct
the whole in Imagination. / see, rising
from these fragments, an entire vessel,
with a fate of her own, and fraught
with many destinies. Nay, who knows"
he added, with mock sententiousness,
but the ship hat lies hidden in this
despised cargo of yours may change
the course Of history"
Dick laughed again MY dear coll
onel," he said. you see a good deal
more thar I do; I find it uncomfortably
dark down here"
"Ah. that's because I'm standing be-
tween you and the light" replied the
colonel. taking up the lantern. Come,
let's go upstairs again. And he led
the way back to the middle deck.
During the night of the 22d the wind
fell to a steady breeze, and on the
following morning they saw the sun
again at last, standing over a headland
that lay on the larboard quarter.
The colonel appeared at breakfast
with a chart, and Dick, borrowing it
from him, explained the position of the
S~peedwell to Camilla.
Here" he said, putting his finger up
on the map, lis the stretch OF coast
along which the wind and the Guinea
current have been hurrYlng us so fast.