Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-12

len You call my Forehead . wound, I"
answered the man in . slightly nasal
drawl and a mild voice that was curl
ously ont Of character with his military
looks.
"You are her captain?''
II am her master. and my names
Congreve.
On this Boldock introduced him to
Miss Mansel, and Mr.. Matthews coming
up the four stood in conversation till
breakfast was announced.
The American captain was full Of
the recent fight and could talk Of moth.
ing but the Mexican, whose skipper had
probably taken fright ON observing the
two brigs in amicable conversation, for
the bark was now sliding away north.
ward under full head Of canvas, and
Mr.. Hardy, inspecting her through the
long brass telescope, exclaimed that they
were rigging out their studding sail
booms.
81 peppered her yesterday before the
fog hid u.s." said the American captain,
who continued to look with interest and
curiosity at Miss Mansel to the extent
indeed Of seeming to address himself
entirely to her. This perhaps heightened
her attractiveness BY causing her color
to mount. In her white canvas can,
perched upon her mass of dark hair,
and in her crimson dressing gown,
whose brilliancy Of tint did not seem to
have suffered from immersion, the
young lady looked exceeding we'll this
morning. Boldock stared ut the Yankee
as if he would take his eye. "She did
me no mischief Whatever" the captain
went on. I'VE ceased blazing when the
smother came, but all through the night
we could hear her. That was . most won.
derful thing. miss, q real sensation for
dull spirits, can assure you. Within q
dozen ships lengths Of ue lay our enc
my. Sometimes had q mind to fire,
but never could be sure Of the direction
Of the sound. We kept all silent aboard
Of us. for I'm a man Of peace. Fight.
ing's not in my line. don't do bust.
ness in blood.
''Otters. sir." suggested Mr.. Mat.
thews.
I'm q free trader" answered the
Yankee gravely while he eyed Mr..
Matthews askew.
He then put before them o descrip-
ton of his position throughout the
night with real dramatic power. Miss
Mansel thought Of some Of the ten gen.
tlemen while she watched and listened.
His bandage did not indeed improve
his appearance, but his eyes glowed
aud occasionally rolled with ierceness
upon the white square Of canvas, grow.
ing blue in the distant blue air while
he talked of the black midnight hush,
the masked lights, the breathless wills.
pers among his own people, no noise
alongside but an occasional slushy CUR.
gle Of water, sometimes q low laugh
aboard the midnight hidden ship. once
the Growing of cock, then at intervals
the faint chirruping Of q boatswa ain s
whistle. once or twice q dim humping
noise as Of a hatch cover being beaten.
However, breakfast was now served,
and Miss Mansel. the Yankee and
Boldock descended. Mr.. Matthews beg.
ging leave to remain Oh deck. They
took their seats. The Yankee, uncover.
ing, showed q bandaged head of hair,
slightly touched with iron. He gazed
about him with curiosity and interest.
and very often did his glance 60 to Miss
Mansel. The commander filled the head
Of the table, and his jolly red face shone
like lamp upon the repast. 1t was q
good sea meal for so little a ship. In
addition to the bacon and ham and beef
Of the stores Boldock had provided the
table with certain delicacies of his owl
laying in. A no more courteous and
gracious host ever fioated upon salt wa.
ter than this hearty sailor Of the queens
service, and in few minutes Captain
Congreve was making an exceilen,
breakfast, very much at his ease indeed.
~ am sure said he. bowling to Mis-.
Mansel as he touched the bandage, 81
did not know there was lady aboard
when I accepted the captains invita-
tion. had not observed you, miss"
II wonder you had nerve left to SEE
anything" said Miss Mansel.
"Waal, ] had not the nerve to SEE
you," said the Yankee skipper. smiling
at the girl, while his long goatee worked
with q pistonlike fall and rise to the
steady chaw, chaw Of his jaws, ''other
wise would not have come. No, cap
tain" said he. looking round at Boil
dock, "who could sit in the presence O,
ladies thus turbaned?"
"Are you from round the Horn
asked the commander.
II am q light ship bound to the is
lands"
This was said with much significance.
Boldock changed the subject.
Have you CHANGED to fall in with I
fine looking bark within the last q
hours?' he inquired.
with no other bark than the vessel
you found me alongside Of" answered
the Yankee captain
mo boats?"
Nicer a boat. I'll take another help
ing Of that bacon, miss"
The lady loaded his plate The table
was a very little one. The Yankee could
easily have helped himself. bot he liked
to be helped bv Miss Mansel. Boldock',
breathing grew . tribe laboeed. Hi
broad face. however, preserved its vel
4 cOvuiuO looka