Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-11

NOR mothefs foS their own grAno.
3sthefs."
'ls ages sor' cried Miss Mansel.
There's a wrinkle in every hour.
said the mate.
And specters ~ over the boat in the
wind and dye your hair grayr ex-
claimed the commander, Laughing.
Poor MrsL Peacock. who was going
home for her healthl" said Miss ManseL
AYE, aye!" exclaimed Matthew'S
rolling his eyes up into pure whitea
"But the Storrs will feel it most He was
. selAsh little cuckoo was Mr.. Storr.
He'll miss his warm bed. the lights of
the cuddy. the poop to stretch his legs
on"
"Things are not up to the hammer
with him, said the commander. "and
I shouldn't be surprised il be finds the
party in the boat q slow lot"
He emptied his glass and filed it
again and Immediately It was half full.
II wish I could recollect the name Of
the island" said Miss Mansel. Some
times it seems at my tongues end"
THAT proves it's in your head, which
Is a good sign," said Mr.. Matthews
"Who's the navigator among them. do
You suppose:'
Il should say, certainly, Captain
Trollope. answered Miss Mansel in o
voice Of fatigue and weakness.
II might believe him that big villain
with the silver chain," said Mr.. Mat
thews. but in any case," says he. ad
dressing the commander, cit may ask o
trick Of seamanship above their parts to
carry the bark to the island Miss Man.
sci forgets the name Of"
II cannot see how they are going to
dispose Of all that weight Of nuggets
and dust. " said Boldock. whose crimson
was deepening its dye, as though the in
huence Of the rum was not within, but
sbone upon him in color through his
tumbler without. Take piece Of gold
worth 100 sovereigns-it's consider
able weight. Here. sir, we have ten
men who are going to step ashore with
plumber in precious ore to the value of
e2S, 900 apiece. How will they do it?"
Mr.. Matthews shook his head grave
~. They'll not land where there are
customs. anyhow" said he. PITY this
part Of their project didn't reach your
earsv' he said to Miss Mansel.
II begin to think see the fire in the
water" said Commander Boldock.
he rose, made the young lady q bow
| and went on deck. Mr.. Matthews fol-
lowed him. TWAS pitch black with fog.
q calm heavy and profound. as though
| the sun and moon were dead and the
earth beginning to rot, and this image
indeed was suggested BY the fires in
the sea.
by George. Hardy" said the COM
mander, going to the rail and looking
over, 1--WE seem to be afloat on the re.
Elections Of blazing volcano"
Mr.. Hardy was hungry, was sick OF
the fog and the sea flames, and being
relieved went hastily into the cabin tc
eat and drink. The commander, after
| glancing at the phantom CLOVIS along.
side, looked aloft and then around then
pulling out big meerschaum pipe,
which he loaded with tobacco out Of q
great fur purse, he struck q match,
which burned as steadily in that ocean
calm rs a candle in q bedroom. Neithel
he nor Mr.. Matthews gave any further
heed TO the wondrous show of roaminc
and swimming lights and CLOVIS van
ishiDg in the impenetrable blacknesl
within biscuit toss. They were season
ed hands, picked from toe to topmos
hair-used to wonder at nothing unlesl
it were some monstrous and amazine
piracy such as this on board the Queen
happening, so to speak. under their nose
or the recovery from the dead Of ,
young woman. floating to Boldock'l
very cutwater, q silent but an aveng
ing messenger nevertheless
On board the little ship. as has beer
said, the watches were headed by tn,
mate and the boatswain, but Mr.. Mat
thews during the day had begged tn,
commanders permission to stand watcl
and watch with Mr.. Hardy that b.
might feel he was making some return
for the hospitality and kindness shown
him and his men. The humane com
mander had consented, glad to secur,
the services Of 20 valuable q person OF
his quarter deck, but he insisted tina
Mr.. Matthews should rest through thi
night. Therefore when Mr.. Hardy ha,
supped he came ON deck, and Mr.. Mat
thews, at Boldock's request, went be
low to turn in as soon as ever he chose
Boldock had just filled and lighted
second immense bowlful. When Hard,
rose through the hatch, he found hi
commander standing at the skyligh
gazing down at Miss Mansel. He puffe,
out great clouds, which blackened tn
fog in his neighborhood. His postum
was meditative. The light of the cabi,
lamp was upon his figure and reveale,
him. He stood q confused shape ami,
an intolerable blackness. Mr.. Hard,
viewed him awhile in silence. thel
stepped to the wheel and took look a
the pinnacle. His cough caused tn
commander to start and back away Z
the rail against which be leaned, suck
ing his great curled meerschaum.
Mr.. Hardy approached and stood close
Now that they were at the rail. tn
fires alongside rendered them visible .
each other.
Il never remember . blacker nigh
than this, said the commander.
Nor /, SIR"