San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-28


be careful not to run me down. Let
bright lookout be kept and hang rid
ing light somewhere forward where we
may easily see it. "
This being said, the commander, Of
fering Miss Mansel his hand. conducted
her into the cabin to tea. The tea things
had been set by sailor, who was gone.
The naval officer and the young lady
were alone. Miss Mansel removed her
canvas cap and sat down upon locker
in front of seagoing, battered teapot.
that had once been very pretty. shin
ing thing, and poured out two cups Of
! black tea, one of which she handed to
the commander, who, as they had no
milk in the brig, used little brandy in
stead. The dark table, agleam with
wear, was furnished with marmalade.
biscuits and potted shrimps, of which
Miss Mansel and the commander par
took.
"Our meeting with the bark is the
most extraordinary encounter in the his
tory of the world, " said Boldock. But,
though she had ten times the value OF
the stolen gold safely slowed away in
her now, l should still regret our hav.
ing fallen in with her"
but why?" inquired Miss Mansel
archly, and her eyes, catching the hectic
of sunset lingering upon the skylight
and dyeing the flashes Of the swinging
lamp, looked unusually bright and VI
vacious.
''Is she not going to remove you from
this brig?" said the commander tender
ly, but with the tenderness that breathes
i'll the lowing of a calf.
The young lady did not seem to hear.
Miss Mansel-but rather let me call
you Margaret" said Boldock. taking
hold of his coat with both hands as
from some half conscious desire to grid
himself tightly for business that was
growing heroic, "I'm plain sailor.
not used to bouting ship when the
winds fair. | think can see fair
wind in your eyes, Margaret, or l give
you my word of honor as gentleman
that should not be troubling you with
this speech. l am in love with you.
"Oh, Captain Boldock"
81 am in love with you," repeated
Boldock, rising and sliding along the
locker to her side. "You are the first
woman who has ever engaged my affeo-
tions. am not rich man, but / can
support wife ashore by going afoat,
and ask you to be my wife when, God
being willing, the two ships after this
extraordinary traverse, shall have
brought up in Sydney bay, where the
bark's bound to return for repairs and
men,"
The young lady did not answer. She
slightly trembled when Boldock put his
full arm round her waist. Yet this pro-
posal was not unexpected. For some
time she had known that he admired
her, and she was perfectly sensible Of
the abundant attentions he had paid
her. He was a hearty, rough seaman.
but an officer in the queens navy, and
a gentleman, and the spirit Of kindness
and good nature dwelt in his wide, red
face.
"You see, Margaret, said he, ''that
when you go on board the ship we
shall be separated. l must keep to this
command Bad weather may blow Us
asunder. Nothing impossible at sea.
Therefore, before | take you on board /
want you to say that you will be my
wife on our return to Sydney. Will
you, my dear Margaret? 1t wants but
very little consideration-will your
His natural and characteristic lament
ing voice sounded with fine effect in
this passage.
81 have often said that if ever I
chose husband it should be sailor"
murmured Miss Mansel, keeping her
head hung
but 1 am sailor, said the COM
mander.
81 know you are, she answered, be-
ginning to laugh.
81 wish," thought the commander,
who kept hold of her waist, that she
would shift her helm and head on q
straight course. It's fair wind. Every
things all clear, the road buoyed, the
very pilot aboard" He drew himself q
little away so as to obtain good view
of her eyes, and, putting his hand un-
der her chin, he raised her laughing
face.
Now, tell me, my dear, that you
will be my wife, 4" said he, land then I
will give you kiss.
Can l speak to you moment, sir?'
sung down the voice of Mr.. Hardy in
the hatch.
what's the matterl'' roared the
commander, entirely letting go Of Miss
Mansel when he caught sight of Hardy's
shoes and a second later of Hardy's
leering eyes ON the ladder.
1.-The mate of the bark's hailed to
know whether you would like one Of
the two men to be sent aboard with the
full yarn of the gold, and how the bark
dragged and was blown OFF,"
The memorable exclamation Of old
Mr.. Shandy rose into the commanders
head. He was in passion at the inter-
ruption and said: "No, sir. Inform
that ok faced mate that L can wait