Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-07-15

!: 8 I !:
| )$ANTM starting In good
| ~Na<xN time on the follow
\e<MkH ing morning. He
| 2N also tried once more
Nl to find out from the
W driver Of the wag-
on where the DE
Montauts' baggage
was to be del,vered; but the man,
though assured that Dick hin,Self had
no longer the time to follow him. stout
" refused to give any further answer.
and by daybreak next morning he had
disappeared, wagon and all. without
giving any ore clue to his destina-
ton.
The sun was setting as Dick left Hell
ston for the last stage Of his Journey.
When he came in sight Of Mounts bay
there was but one golden bar left in
the western sky. Gradually this too
faded. and a gray. misty twilight began
to creep over the bay. st. Michaers
Mount doomed In sight, weird as the en-
chanted castles Of fairyland. In the
highest turret glimmered q single light,
making the mist more drear and the
silence yet more desolate.
The opposite shore was wrapped in
darkness, but on the broad water be-
tween twinkled here and there tiny
restless sparks that Dick knew for the
| lanterns Of the ships at anchor. One
| Of them doubtless was the fate that he
must follow. Will-o'-the-wisp or guild
| ing-star, there 1t cleaned among the
rest, with the dim. shivering night
around and the fatnomless sea be-
meath.
A mile or two more, and the: came
rafting into the streets Of Penzance,
and Dick arose from his reverie. He in
Quired for the Speedwell, and found
that she was lying out toward Newfyn,
and was to sail at daybreak.
Her captain had been ashore that
afternoon, looking out for passenger
who had been expected by the coach
an hour before. $500
Dick engaged boat and ordered sup
per at once; by 10 o'clock he was along
side the brig, and half an hour later
fast asleep In his berth. forgetting for
the present all Journeys whether by
land or sea.
| He awoke next morning to find the
ship already on her way. The captain
was waiting for him on deck: gray,
| wrinkled man with short grizzled
beard, and a somewhat slouching air
about him, Dick thought.
I'm your passenger" Dick said, land
I ought to have reported myself last
night, but they told me you were busy.
and was too tired to wait. Ny name
is Estcourt, captain Of her majesty's
ship Niobe, when you bring me to her."
"Ay, ay," replied the other; II was
In the service myself once; but wasn't
called Worsley then"
Indeed" said Dick. and stopped. en-
barrassed.
The captain was apparently troubled
by no such feeling, and went on.
II was broke for trifle," he said;
"a young mans folly. But don't know
that I've been much the worse. It's a
hard service-the kings; you make no
money in 1t, and glory's thing never
took much account Of"
Dick had nothing to say to this.
Where shall breakfast" he asked.
with me-" said the captain. you'll
ind me pretty snug below, and that's
the main thing in the world, Ell?
don't care how many trips I make in
the Speedwell. II I'm always as COM
| Portable and as well paid
Dick could hardly say that he hoped
never to make another voyage in the
brig, or that he already wished this one
was over; but both thoughts came dis
tinctly into his mind.
ut was stroke o. luck" continued
his sarrulous companion; Just stroke
o. luck. I'd nothing to do for. long
enough, and was getting bit down;
and then suddenly my lords find them
selves short of a hand, and come rum
ming to me, cap off, and money down on
the nail"
That's pretty much what happened
to me-" said Dick; "they were in hur-
~ and the man before me failed them
at the last moment"
"Ay, ay," replied the captain; "they
must have been in hurry too. or
they'd never have come down on an old
dog like me and such a ramshackle
crew to carry his majesty's stores, let
alone his majesty's officers" he added,
with an affable grin.
"Oh!" said Dick. what sort Of fell
lows have you on board, then?"
'All Sorts" answered the captain,
land more than that. There's English
Jacks and French Johnnies, and a cou-
pie O. Spaniards and niger; I never
saw such first-to-hand lot in my life.
They're willing enough, you know, but
IL . Inc FUNNIEST crew 10 De working a
navy ship"
1.-THE brig herself looks to be fast and
well found" said Dick. with al approx
ing eye on the white canvas bellying
aloft.
"Oh, she's we'll enough" replied the
captain. carelessly; there's better and
there's worse. no doubt. Let's go down
to breakfast" And he led the way
below.
So the days went by for the most part
In cheerful content; only now and then
his brow clouded when they spoke a
passing ship, and answered the cheers
and waving signals Of English men and
women homeward bound.
Sometimes he was even happy for an
hour, for the water he sailed was no
obscure or unknown sea. From Cor
unna to Cadiz there a:e names and
memories upon Its shore that might
have stirred the very ship herself, as
she swept past them with the flag of
empire ripping at her masthead.
On the ninth day they passed st. Vim
cent The sun was setting. and the
| Nra 90 of tho CT,