Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-05

again. "Her hair is floating out from
her head like ink from q galleyed cuttle-
fish. Look for yourself. -
And while Mr.. Hardy was looking
Commander Bo1dock told the man at
the wheel to put his helm over SO as to
bring the object almost directly ahead.
'Eh. Mr.. Hardy, )" he exclaimed in
his deep sea voice, isn't she woman:
Isn't she white? Don't she look aliye?"
"She positively breathes But it's the
motion of the sea-" answered Mr.. Har-
dy, keeping his eye glued to the glass.
We'll make little call yonder and
ask few questions said the COM
mander. LET the men knock off wash
ing down. Stand by, to back your main
topsail. and swing that etarboard boat
there over the side.''
The brig slowly drove down, and all
the people who could see over the side
kept their eyes fastened upon the float
ing object. II was strange 10 meet such
sight as that upon the wide sea hun
dreds Of miles from land
The brig came to halt, rolling clum-
silly upon the subtle underswell of that
beautiful morning ocean. By this time
one of the plump quarter boats had been
lifted out of her checks and now dam
gled ready for lowering at the ends of
her immensely thick wooden davits. A
boats crew stood by. Commander Boil
dock and Mr.. Hardy gazed over the side
The body, as the long, brass telescope
had before determined, was a females,
and very fine figure of woman, the
commander thought. it looked, as il
slightly rose and fell with the light
azure wrinkles of the water, trembling
in sobs to it. The loose arms waved
with tho motion of the water as though
that midocean sleeper appealed for peace
or help. The dark hair clouded off in a
soft, gloomy mass close under the blue
surface. A gag Of some sort concealed
the mouth.
II don't know that she can be alive"
said the commander in his hoarse, deep,
demonstrating voice, with that thing
tied round her breathing apparatus.
Maybe her nostrils ride clear, said
Mr.. Hardy. leering.
'Then go and bring her aboard"
said the commander. "She shall have
chance for her life, and if she's dead
we will bury her decently."
The boat sank, the oars flashed, in q
minute or two Mr.. Hardy was along.
side the floating woman They used ex-
treme caution, guessing that a tap from
an oar or q sea put in motion by the
boat might sink the body. Two sailors
leaned over and the lubberly tub of
boat leaned, too, with pretty sparkle
Of her bilge to the sun as she raised it
with the brine.
Grasping the body with their fish
hooks Of fingers, the Jacks tossed it
aboard, soaking and streaming like q
thunder shower. 1t was then laid in
the stern sheets, and the boat made for
the brig. While this was doing Mr..
Hardy pulled ont a sharp clasp knife
and cut away the gag. She had good
features. hut she was CHASTITY to horrors
own degree i'll that searching light ow-
ing to the eyeballs showing like slips of
china betwixt the lids, and to the lips
being almost pale as the cheeks through
compression of the ligatrre. The appar-
Ell was very scanty, consisting, so far as
Mr.. Hardy could make out, of a dress
ing gown over flannel petticoat and q
woman's ordinary nightclothes. Her
feet were naked-very pretty little feet
they were, Mr.. Hardy thought. Doubt
less they had been slippered when the
POOR creature for some murderous mo-
tive or other had been sent adrift.
1t looks to me-" exclaimed Mr..
Hardy, gazing up at the commander,
whose immense roasted face, oyerhang-
ing the rail, was reflected in the smooth
| water as though it had been the moon.
las II there had been some piratical
business On down here, sir
Bring her aboard, bring her aboard"
exclaimed the commander, stiffening
MS figure and sending q look round the
ocean with man-of-war's mans sniff.
IN fact. the mere thought Of it whipped
fifty new pulses into his sturdy shape.
They unshipped the gansway, and
with that sort Of reverence which good
sailors will exhibit toward the dead
aud more particularly toward those Of
the dead who might have been moth
ers, wives. sisters ard swee.tearts in
this world-a few of the Jacks Of tho
brig Wellesley handed the body aft and
with pains and patience down the mar.
row companion ladder
Trim sail, Mr.. Hardy" said Com.
mander Boldock then come below and
let me have your opinion.
Two middle sized cabins were situated
under the wheel. The body Of the won,-
an was carried into the port cabin, the
starboard berth being the commanders,
and very tenderly laid upon a locker.
The men who had brought her below
stood Off, while Commander Bcliock
drew close to peer into the face that
looked cold and hard IS granite.
This seems . case of murder" said
the commander. apparently thinking
aloud
'eBeg pardon, your honor" said one
Of the seamen, touching his forehead, a
homely, middle aged. good natured sail.
, or, with Limehouse look and hand
Of yellow oakum dangling at his chin,
"that body's not been long in the wa
! ter"
"How do you know" said the com.
mander, whipping his great face round
upon HIM sharp and eager.