Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-16

we can talk: What are You afraid Off
thought you Were castaway men and
bore down TO pick you up"
On this the six gentlemen held a short
consultation, often directing their eyes
at the lsrl with many marks of srspi-
cion in their looks and gesture. Then
Weston threw an oar over on one side
and Shannon an oar over On the other,
and to "a very slow beat Of blade-evcry
face, the rowers' inclu6ed. turned to-
ward the Queen-the boat warily ap-
preached until she was abeam, within
comfortable talking distance.
Wouldn't that brig help you to
more than two menu shouted Trollope
to the forecastle. IF she's q whaler,
she's full handed.
"He'll explain, SIR" replied Harry,
pointing at Trivett on the poop.
"She's the Irish Girl of Hull, lG
months out. She fell in with this vessel
this morning cried Trivett, who fair
~ looked the character Of the rough
whaling mate or superior spouter's sea
man he was persosatiDg as he stood in n
sailors careless attitatle, a foot i'm n coil
Of rope. hand on backstay, dressed
in sleeved wais,coat, well worn cloth
breeches and a greasy, gray, felt hat.
Captain Button could only spare US
two men, but seeing your boa. coming
along he counted on my finding in you
the extray hands we require TO navigate
this beautiful and valuable ship, which
| tell you is flush to the matches with
WOOL
''IIow long have you been aboard:''
howled Caldwell, with his hand mt the
side Of his mouth.
Not yet had time to take look
around" answered Trivett. This here
ship wanB men. There's no going be-
low aboard 500 ton when there's only
Tower to a crew. Amt that q sextaut
case III your starn sheets:''
Yes. it WAS a sextant case ard inside
it was n saxtant that had belonged to
the late Captain Benson. When the
lonrboat had gone ashore with stores.
the men carried with them this sextant.
a boats compass and chart Of the
south Pacific. but they had not thought
of losing the bark or surely they would
have provided themselves with one or
more Of the glasses ON board. and ut
least ono Of The ships clirunomo;crs.
''if that a scxtant, " continued Triv-
EFT. bawliDg down at tine boat that
was right abreast Of the ship. sinking
and falling. and rocking her naked rlast
that stood up like a lightning wi.h,rcd
pine while Mr.. Shannon and Mr.. Weston
kept their oars overheard. scarce pad
ding, however. 90 hold their little fab
ric III position, "there'll be navigator
among you, and Hn changed his
manner and feigIing sudden air Of
suspicion with such admirable dcxtcriiy
as would have delighted the commander
had he been watching the fellow hc
shouted: But what are yUu aud where
90 you come from? What ship lid you
belong to? You've got the looks Of pas
sesgers. l should like TO hear your yarn
aiore you come aboard"
This was going beyond what the com
mander had indicated in his iasiruc-
tions to Triycti. The red faced officer
standing in the cuddy doorway listened
in an agony OF iInrltiCnce which. crow
ing insupportablc, forced him Ia sneak
along the deck ~ fast a. q cruuching aud
dodsing posture wocld admit toward
the forecastle while be signed To Harry
and William not to appear to observe
him. He exclaimed in low voice to
Harry, who had lounged to the head uf
the forecastle ladder ON seeing the COM
mander coming: For the life that's in
you both don't look down or seem to heed
me. Sing out this lie dictated In.
words and Harry. who acted with an
adroitness that was not to have been
hoped for in William, shrieked in his
high notes:
I'VE haven't had time yet to tell the
story. That there man knows nothing
about you. But I'll so aft and give him
the yarn while you wal, if you like:''
Something in this speech appeared to
decide the six gentlemen They talked
together for few minutes. locking
earnestly ut the ship. Every man then
saw that his loaded weapon was handy
to his grasp when the six should lean as
one for the chains. Weston ana Shannon
dipped their blades. and the boat ap-
preached the bark. The four who stood
up idle intently watched the movements
OF the men who were visible on the YES
sci.
Are you going to board me afore
you gives me some account Of your
selves:" sang out Trivett, and his voice.
breaking the silence. accentuated the
hush in the ship to the listening ears in
the boat.
You shall have our yarn in a few
ninutes," cried Davenire in his TIRE.
mendous voice. Give wayr'
The boat drew 10 the main chains
and, needless rs to what became Of her
in their rage Of resolution TO rercssess
themselves Of the ship. fired, too. with
suspicion Of their reception as every
black soul OF the six was. they suraug
with tigerlike leaps into the chains and
gained the deck in dozen heart beats.
Not moment for breathing and for
looking round was permitted. Roaring
at the top Of his voice, Now, then. Mr..
Matthews-now. then. my hearts-we
must nab every one Of these fellows;
but don't hurt them IL they offer no re-
sistance," Boldock rushed out. flourish
ing his cutlass, followed by the mate