Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-14

s>se$A
cured to the quarter deck capstan. and
Commander Boldock stood beside her.
with his long brass telescope under his
arm. The bark rolled slowly. with q
stately swing Of her lofty spars. She
dung wet flashes from her cleaning
sides and submitted the model Of q
beautiful clipper hull to the charmed
eyes OF the seameu as she buoyantly
climbed aslant the now fast lesseuing
heave of sea.
Two figures stood upon her poop
right aft. Boldock viewed them through
his glass.
"Seamen apparently, =" said he. 1.-TWO
only" -"-.
'Her longboat's gone" said Mr..
Matthews. "She's without . boat Of
any kind"
After little the stern of the bark
slanted into sight. The swell hove il.
and there. under the counter. i'm long
plain white letters, were the words
"Queen-Loudon."
IT'S 'Arryw roared Tom On the
briggs toreoastle.
Its Williamr' shouted q second
seaman OF the Queen.
The brig passed slowly under the
stern OF the bark and rounded to lee
ward. and while this maneuver was be-
ing carried ont by Mr.. Hardy the fol-
lowing conversation passed:
"Ho, tine bark ahoyr' roared the COM
man6er
Hello. hello, sir,' answered Harry.
with quick. eager flourish Of his hand.
s2ringing ON to the faffrail to talk, then
catching sight Of Miss Mansel and star
ing and staring with hands on his
knees as though he had been slain in
that posture by lightning.
Are any Of the gentry who stole
your ship aSoard Of you stillf" shouted
Commander Boldock.
"No. sir, thank Cod" And some man
On the briggs forecastle laughed.
Are you two men alone:''
"All alone. SIR" shrieked Harry.
How long have you been in this
condition."
I'VE was rolled of Hailoran island
four days age. cried William in his
slow but powerful voice. land we've
been a-washing about ever since look
ing cut for ships"
MIR. Matthews" said the command.
| er. You had better get your beat over
and take your FIVE men and resume pos
session. Make sail and report her coudi-
ton and keep within hailing distance
| of me-
1t touched the spirit and memory Of
old times in this jolly. red faced gen.
tleman TO talk thus. II was like con-
voying. Itwas like taking possession Of
| prize. His wide, crimson face Leaned
with cordial enjoyment as Mr.. Matthews.
soberly touching his cap. answered.
AYE. aye. SIR"
The Queens boat was lowered with.
ont difficulty over the briggs side. The
FIVE seamen entered her. Mr.. Matthews,
bareheaded, shock hands with Com
mander Boldock. looking as he did so at
Miss Mansel. The young lady said.
May ! go on board with Mr.. Mat.
thews:''
Il will, with your permission, when
this swell slackens, put you on board
myself" answered the commander in
his lamenting way.
She bowed and slightly colored. Prob.
ably the trifling flush was excited BY
the expression on Mr.. Matthews face
as he turned and walked to the gang
way. He got into the boat without diff
Guilty, and, gaining the ships side,
sprang into the main chains ard gained
| the bark's deck He ordered the men to
hook the boat on and hoist her at once.
She was now their only boat and meal
culably valuable, therefore.
Have they taken the gold:' he said
to William, who with Harry stood by
to receive him.
Every ounce Of ii, sir"
What have they done with it?''
Took it ashore, sir.
After a pause, during which emotion
worked briskly in the honest fellow, he
said: "All right. my lads. Help the
others. I'll hear your yarn presently. F"
And while the men went to work with
the boat he entered the cuddy.
Everything was as it had been when
he was turned adrift. He opened a lock.
er. with q trembling heart. and beheld
his desk. and. lifting the lid, he drew
out leather bag Of money. He count.
ed the contents. While he counted the
men above sang joyously at the boat &
falls. He counted ten bank notes and q
number of English pounds. They have
not touched a farthing." he said to him.
self. He put away the purse. and his
face was warm with delight. Hard
earned. friend Matthews. as you know.
is the money that is got by going to sea.
His sextant was untouched. Every rag
and every stick of his little property
had been spared. Il can't say after 'hi.
they weren't gentlemen nc root. afte,
ALL" he thought as he stepped forth.
Yet he could not believe that he was
awake when he recollected how ;hi,
| beautiful bark had been seized one rlid.
night by ten men. but not by any mean.
unexpectedly. No. he was bound &C
think that, which consideration carried
him TO old Benson's cabin.
i He found the cot gone, and some o.
the tools for NAVIGATING the vessel were
missing. Otherwise the interior looked
much as Of old. He peefed into the cab.
ins which had been occupied by the
Co. ..l Stx. osIaS De-.