San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-14


Matthews askew.
He then put before them descrip-
ton of his position throughout the
night with real dramatic power. Miss
Mansel thought of some of the ten gen.
tlemen while she watched and listened.
His bandage did not indeed improve
his appearance, but his eyes glowed
and occasionally rolled with fierceness
upon the white square of canvas, grow
ing blue in the distant blue air while
he talked of the black midnight hush,
the masked lights, the breathless whis-
pers among his own people, no noise
alongside but an occasional slushy CUR
gle Of water, sometimes a low laugh
aboard the midnight hidden ship. once
the Growing of cock, then at intervals
the faint chirruping Of boatswain' 8
whistle, once or twice q dim humping
noise as of hatch cover being beaten.
However, breakfast was now served,
and Miss Mansel, the Yankee and
Boldock descended. Mr.. Matthews beg
ging leave to remain on deck. They
took their seats The Yankee, uncover
ing, showed a bandaged head Of hair,
slightly touched with iron. He gazed
about him with curiosity and interest,
and very often did his glance go to Miss
Mansel. The commander filled the head
of the table, and his jolly red face shone
like lamp upon the repast. 1t was a
good sea meal for so little a ship. In
addition to the bacon and ham and beef
Of the stores Boldock had provided the
table with certain delicacies of his own
laying in. A no more courteous and
gracious host ever fioated upon salt wa
ter than this hearty sailor of the queen 8
service, and in few minutes Captain
Congreve was making an excellent
breakfast, very much at his ease indeed.
81 am sure" said he, bowling to Miss
Mansel as he touched the bandage, 81
did not know there was a lady aboard
when / accepted the captains invita-
tion. had not observed you, miss.
81 wonder you had nerve left to see
anything" said Miss Mansel.
"Waal, l had not the nerve to see
you, said the Yankee skipper, smiling
at the girl, while his long goatee worked
with a pistonlike fall and rise to the
steady chaw, chaw of his jaws, 'other-
wise would not have come. No. cap
tain" said he, looking round at Boil
dock, "who could sit in the presence Of
ladies thus turbaned?"
care You from round the HornP"
asked the commander.
81 am a light ship bound to the is
lands.
This was said with much significance.
Boldock changed the subject.
"Have you CHANGED to fall in with q
fine looking bark within the last "a
hours?" he inquired.
with no other bark than the vessel
you found me alongside Of" answered
the Yankee captain.
mo boats?'
"Ne'er boat. I'll take another help
ing of that bacon, miss"
The lady loaded his plate. The table
was a very little one. The Yankee could
easily have helped himself, but he liked
to be helped by Miss Mansel Boldock's
breathing grew a tritie labored. Ills
broad face, however, preserved its well
coming looks.
"Pray, miss" said the Yankee cap
tain, might you be this gentleman's
sister,"
"No," answered the girl, flushing
"Shall you or l, Captain Boldock, ex-
plain how it happens that l am here
thus attired?"
SIS any explanation needed, d'you
think, Miss Mansel?" said the COM
mander.
Cease of shipwreck?' inquired the
Yankee.
Worse" said the girl, and finding
that Boldock did not intend to relate
her story she told it herself.
Captain Congreve listened with fiat
tering interest, putting down his knife
and fork and leaning forward, that not
a syllable should escape him. His eyes
rested with admiration upon hers. Boil
dock watched him, observing the mo-
tions of her lips.
WAL" said he when Miss Mansel
had made an end, "I'ye heard some
queer yarns in my time-never the like
of this-never. Afioat for several hours
picked up by this here Wellesley
the ship stolen by ten men-by -,
captain" he cried, with a sudden
amazing fierceness that terrified Miss
Mansel and considerably startled Boil
dock, bringing his fist down upon the Ia
BILE with q force that ran a sound Of
breakage through the crockery, eth
be out of my road, yet to avenge this
young lady it'll give me the greatest
pleasure to accompany this one gun