San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-28
coeruGHr. rese ey rus Aurses-


course for the bark.
1t might now be seen that the vessels
main royal yard was down, but the long
topgallant mast was standing She con-
tinued to lie exactly as she had lain all
day, UnGCr LCr i'll hoisted wing Of stay
sail, but already the color at the gaff
end had shaken its folds out to the wind.
By aid of tho glass Mr.. Hardy perceived
that the union jack was reversed. II
was tho mute sea cry for help, in short,
and it was easily guessed there would
| be no fighting.
Curiosity burned in the boSoms of all
hands. She was the bark Queen that
had sailed from Sydney. Her five people
forward on the briggs forecastle knew
her, swore TO her, and 90 good dramatic
reasons, each one powerful imagina-
tive yarn well calculated to make a
literary reputation, had been invented
by the sailors to account for her lying
wallowing there with the loss of her
fore topgallant mast and flying jib boom.
At this hour it was no longer danger
GUS to move about the briggs deck, and
| Il
cured to the quarter deck capstan, and
! Commander Boldock stood beside her,
with his long brass telescope under his
arm. The bark rolled slowly, with a
stately swing of her lofty spars. She
| flung wet flashes from her cleaning
sides and submitted the model of
beautiful clipper hull to the charmed
eyes of the seamen as she buoyantly
climbed aslant the now fast lessening
heave of sea.
Two figures stood upon her poop
right aft. Boldock viewed them through
his glass.
"Seamen apparently, said he. 1.-TWO
only"
"Her longboat's gone" said Mr..
Matthews. "She's without q boat of
any kind.
After a little the stern of the bark
slanted into sight. The swell hove it,
and there, under the counter, in long
plain white letters, were the words
It's 'Arry!" roared Tom Oh the
briggs forecastle.
Its Williamr' shouted second
seaman Of the Queen.
The brig passed slowly under the
stern of the bark and rounded to lee
ward, and while this maneuver was be-
ing carried out by Mr.. Hardy the fol-
lowing conversation passed:
''Ho, the bark ahoyr roared the COM
mander.
Hello, hello, sirw answered Harry,
with a quick, eager flourish of his hand,
springing on to the taffrail to talk, then
catching sight of Miss Mansel and star
ing and staring with hands on his
knees as though he had been slain in
that posture by lightning.
'Are any of the gentry who stole
your ship aboard Of you still?" shouted
Commander Boldock.
mo, sir, thank Godp And some man
on the briggs forecastle laughed.
care you two men alone?"
"All alone, sir" shrieked Harry.
How long have you been in this
condition."
1--WE was rolled off Halloran island
four days ago, " cried William i'll his
slow but powerful voice, land we've
been a-washing about ever since look
ing out for ships.
MIR. Matthews, " said the command
er, you had better get your boat over
and take your five men and resume pos !
session. Make sail and report her condi
ton and keep within mailing distance
of me-
1t touched the spirit and memory of
old times in this jolly, red faced gen.
tleman to talk thus. 1t was like con-
yoying. Itwas like taking possession OF
a prize. His wide, crimson face beamed
with cordial enjoyment as Mr.. Matthews,
soberly touching his cap, answered,
AYE, aye, sir. "
The Queens boat was lowered with
out difficulty over the briggs side. The
five seamen entered her. Mr.. Matthews,
bareheaded, shook hands with Com
mander Boldock, looking as he did so at
Miss Mansel. The young lady said,
MAY 1 go on board with Mr.. Mat
thews?"
81 will, with your permission, when
this swell slackens, put you on board
myself" answered the commander i'll
his lamenting way.
She bowed and slightly colored. Prob
ably the trifing flush was excited by
the expression on Mr.. Matthews face
as he turned and walked TO the gang
way. He got into the boat without Diff
Guilty, and, gaining the ships side,
sprang into the main chains and gained
the bark's deck He ordered the men to
hook the boat ON and hoist her at once.
She was now their only boat and meal
culably valuable, therefore.
Have they taken the gold?' he said
to William, who with Harry stood by
to receive him.
'Evefy ounce of it, sir. "
"Wht It have they done with it?"
Took it ashore, sir p"
Aftg pause, during which emotion