San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-14

cleaning stun met, dIssolved ana Irem-
bled off in fibers and darts from the
briggs side, the poor fellow might have
witnessed illusions not less hollow and
hopeless than the dreams which had
sometimes haunted his lonely quarter
deck lookouts.
The commander, finding his pipe out,
went below. The cabin was empty.
Boldock seated himself at the table, and
presently a sailor arrived with kettle
of hot water, which he placed before the
commander on three legged rest. The
same sailor produced from locker q
bottle of rum, lemon and some LOAF
sugar, and then, with flourish Of his
thumb at lock Of hair and a thirsty
lingering look at the bottle, he went up
the ladder and vanished.
Boldock mixed himself glass OF hot
rum and water and regretted that Mr..
Matthews had retired, as he loved COM
pany. A great many thoughts sported in
this stout sea dogs brain, but it is GER
tain they did not concern the business
of the brig. Probably his mind never
once glanced at the reef he was bound
to. He sat smiling and smiling. The
little sea parlor was speedily aromatic
with the scent of hot rum and lemon.
To many nostrils, especially to those OF
the ocean going among them, nothing
is comparable for deliciousness to this
noble smell. Boldock sat slipping his
grog, with smiles which deepened as the
liquor in the bottle sank, till he heard
the briggs bell tinkle four. So it was 4
o'clock in the south Pacific, much about
where the Wellesley was, an amazing
black night, and the water quick and
splendid with the lightnings of phos-
phor.
Boldock drank three glasses He was
no more affected by the liquor than the
briggs fgurehead would have been had
the drafts been poured over it as 1t
leaned in blue coat and cooked hat un-
der the bowsprit of the vessel. He
thought he would fill another pipe and
watch the weather in company wi,l
Mr.. Hardy for half an hour or so and
was in the act Of putting the rum
bottle away in the locker when the door
of the cabin occupied by Miss Man
sci opened, and the young lady, habit
ed in her dressing gown. her feet loose
in a pair of Mr.. Hardy's slippers, step
ped forth.
The commander shot erect on turning
and seeing her. He was startled. 1t was
an apparition. She was new to the ship,
if not perhaps to his recent reflections,
and habit in him was astonished. Her
dark eyes were peculiarly black and
brilliant. Her face was very pale. She
would have looked CHASTITY as death
itself to a third PERSONS eye in contrast
with the broad, red moon of countenance
sparkling with perspiration which the
shoulders of the commander supported.
II hope haven't woke You up, said
he. II believed / moved quietly. The
briggs like a churchyard tonight"
"Oh, Captain Boldock," Miss Mansel
cried, lit is dream. The name of the
island has come to me in dream.
woke up pronouncing it.
"Quick," exclaimed the commander,
''or you may forget it again.
"Halloran island-Halloran island
Halloran island" she said, approaching
him by a step as she repeated the name.
Don't tell me you don't know ii, she
added, stretching out her hands. "for
it's there you'll find the ship and all
they've taken from me.
The commanders countenance wore
an expression of stupor. He clinched his
fist and letting it fall upon the table
exclaimed: ''To think that / should
never have mentioned it, running over
them all, as 1 believe l did. Halloran