San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-01-10

light. 1t was noticeable that the men
contriyed that their own cabins should
be first searched. They rushed the bust
ness with the mates by help of laugh
ter, skylarking and crowding. When it
came to the ladies' cabin, however, there
was a we'll hammered pause
"The mates may now search for them
selves" said Captain Trollope, twisting
on his heel, and pulling out cigar case
he strolled contemptuously and leisure
ly toward the quarter deck.
"Trollope, shouted Hankey. "The
captains cabin hasn't been searched
yet"
"By thunder, nop' cried Trollope,
coming hastily back to the group
You'll not enter my cabin if you
please" roared the captain through the
skylight.
Captain Benson" said Mr.. Dave
nire, going under the skylight and look
ing up through an eyeglass, "you have
affronted us, the first class passengers
of the Queen, with your suspicious. We
now choose" he went on with well
contrived drawl, "to suspect you of
having plundered the arms chest"
The skipper looked down with the
spirit of murder aflame in each deep
seated little eye. He was dumb with
wrath till, finding his voice, he shouted
to Mr.. Matthews to come ON deck.
Some of the men were then for going
at once to the captains cabin. Trollope
restrained them.
"We'l do better than that" said he.
"We'll get red herring Of an apology
out of him for the trail. "
Gentlemen" said the mate, coming
down the companion steps after a few
minutes, "by order of the captain the
search is over. Follow me to the fok'sle,
Mr.. Poole"
81 say" here bawled Mr.. johnson,
"aren't Mr. Dent and Mr.. Storr's cab
ms to be searched?"
1.-THE innocence of us all aft" said
the mate, with grave smile, ''has con-
verted the whole thing into a joke. The
captains desire is that it may go no
further"
"a joke" growled Mr.. Caldwell,
pushing his scowling face close to the
mate, whose fists instantly doubled,
while his smile fed like a shadow of
cloud from his features. "You search
my cabin as if was a thief, and you
call it joke. "
cts you who've made joke of it.
I was obeying ORDERS" exclaimed the
mate, with slight shade of green en-
tering his complexion as he looked
round him.
1.-THE culprit is the commander. not
his officers, CALDWELL" said Captain
Trollope
"Cheer up, Poole" said Hankey,
slapping the second mate ON the back.
Jump forward now. and carry the
mate along with you. It's the sailor
who hoped overheard that's the thief,
and you'll find the weapons in his sea
boots.
Mr.. Dent came out of his cabin and
stood with Mr. Storr.
81 say" exclaimed Captain Trollope,
striding up to them with an unlighted
cigar in his hand, eve mean to make
the skipper apologize for this affront.
You expect an apology, suppose"
"The captain is within his rights. /
don't wish to NEEDLE Where are the
firearms?" answered Mr.. Storr, stam-
mering with uneasiness.
Captain Trollope looked down at him
with so inimitable a countenance of
anger and disgust that the little man
trembled.
"Come ON deck" said Mr.. Dent, and
the two men climbed the companion
steps.
The ladies now came forth. Mr.. Burn
oficiously offered his arm to Mrs. Dent,
who declined, with the courtesy of a
cook. Mrs. Peacock was conducted up
the steps by Mr.. Hankey. The other la
dies helped themselves. They were
briskly followed by the ten gentlemen,
with Captain Trollope at their head. 1t
was hard upon noon, and the captain
was calling through the skylight to the
steward for his sextant Forward the
ship looked deserted. In fact the mess
kids had been carried from the galley,
and the men ate their dinner while the
two mates went the rounds of Jack s
sea parlor.
This was the situation at this hour.
The captain was about to take sights,
and the ten knew their business too
well to hinder him. They lounged until
eight bells had been made, the old skip
per sharing his fiery glances between
them and the sun, and when the bell
was being struck by the seaman, who
smoked furtively while he stood wait
ing, the two mates came out of the fore
castle.
Let's hear the report" murmured
Trollope to Davenire.
Mr.. Matthews, followed by Poole,
came on to the poop. He was pale with
heat, perhaps with fatigue. He was
scarcely recovered from illness, and the
corners Of his mouth dropped with dis
like and contempt of his latest job. The
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