San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-01-10
man was making the head pump chat

the ship has been robbed, and the thief
is aboard, and we must find him and
the goods. Therefore, sir, after break
fast you and the second mate, who is
as guiltless in this thing as he says he
is-the mans manners convincing
will carefully search the cabins Of the
passengers, and you will afterward 70
forward, explain the circumstances Of
the robbery to the crew and rummage
the ~forecastle.
AYE, aye, SIR"
Presently Mr.. Poole came on deck to
take charge of the starboard watch. The
captain and the mate went below. Sure
ly the ship was safe enough now, with
the glorious sun at her fore yardarm. Il
wa a noble morning, a bright breeze.
the Pacific running in long blue hills,
breaking into lightninglike sea flashes.
The ship was under all the sail she need
ed and smoked through the seas, shred
ding them at each stoop into crystal
wells, which often flew in an airy beau
ty and a dazzling CLEAN Of gems sheer
over the f~orecastle head.
There was nothing in sight. The first
of the passengers to com ON deck was
Mr.. Dent. He went along to Mr.. Poole,
cheerfully rubbing his hands and look
ing about him.
"Soon up with the Horn at this rate"
he cried, ''and once round that frozen
corner we shall be looking out for the
north star"
''It's a fine morning, sir, said Mr..
Poole dryly.
Others arrived, among them Captain
Trollope. Poole watched the tall figure
of the man intently as he paced the
deck, seeking an appetite for his break
fast. While he stared Mr.. Hankey
swung out of the cuddy front and came
up the poop ladder.
GOOD morning, Poole. I say, old
man," he said, with an insiuuating
leer. "what was the shindy about last
night in your cabin?"
"There was no shindy," answered
the second mate coldly.
"a noise of voices disturbed me-,
said Mr.. Hankey.
you'll often hear a noise CO voices
at sea, "Isaid Poole, looking aloft, with
the idea of finding an excuse to sing out
an order.
Mr.. Hankey walked over to Captain
Trollope. The breakfast bell now rang.
What is more delicious to o hungry
man at sea than the smell Of eggs and
baoonr The cuddy air was full Of it, and
the table was delightfully."- hospitable
with hams, pies, boiled beef, galley
rolls, butter, yellow and sparkling with
brine, and what good cheer besides7
The captain came out of his cabin, the
ladies assembled. In a few minutes the
long table was full, the mate at the
bottom, and every lee window blazed
with sunshine white with foam.
"Did we make a good run in the
night, captain?" said Mr.. Storr.
Eyes, sir"
"You were a good deal about, weren't
you, captain?" said Mrs. Peacock. "T
heard your voice"
1.-THE seas an up and down life, mad
am" answered the old skipper.
"That girl opposite is taking us all
in, said johnson to Davenire, with his
eyes on his plate.
(Which of us would she choose If the
chance were hers?" answered Davenire,
with a cool smile as he met the fine
eyes of Miss Mansel.
"Were you disturbed by the shindy
last night, Mr.. Matthews?" said Ham
key, calling down the table while he
cut himself a slice of ham.
"Shindy's a strong word, answered
the mate with a troubled look and q
glance at the skipper. lis it Englishf,
"What took place in the night?'' said
Captain Trollope.
The mate seemed to be listening to
what Mr.. Dent was saying. The mer-
chant talked Of wool and horns, the
prosperity of the colony and the duties
of the mother country. Conversation
trickled on down both sides of the table
till, breakfast being nearly over, Mr..
Isaac Cavendish started up. Instantly
Captain Benson shot out of his chair,
and, grasping the table, his face discol-
ored by 20 passions and feelings, he
Crl6u Outs L ESQucob eua1 uObOuy Will
quit the ouddy till I have made q state
ment."
A deep silence followed this. All the
people stared. Mrs. Peacock turasS saf
a dead white. Mrs. Storr seized her
husbands arm. Mr.. Cavendish sat
down, and every face on either hand
the table was directed at the captain.
Mr.. Matthews quickly and keenly
glanced at some of the men. Their faces
expressed simple wonder and great Gu
riosity tinctured with expectation Of
amusement. Captain Trollope pulled
his mustache while he watched the
skipper. In fact, his face sat almost ex-
pressionless behind that abundant deco
ration.
al hope no alarm will attend what
I'm going to say. / refer to you, Ia
dies, /" began the old, white haired man,
very purple, very agitated. This ship
carries an arms chest, containing weap-
ons for the defense of the people eff "a