Rock Island Argus., 1897-01-02
CHAPTER XI.

MISSING
Th, gray dawn found Captain Ben.
son asleep in his cot and Mr.. Matthews,
the chief officer. in charge of the bark
The circle Of tho sea ran with search
inR sweep black as ink against thas lift
ing melancholy light of heaven. but in
few minutes the sun sprang clear, and
man aloft III tho main topmast cross
trees. shelteripg his sight while he
gripped sbroud, plunged his gaze far
nstern and, hailing the deck, sang ont,
Sail. ho!' Something. perhaps, that
had been passed III the night. or stand
ing north or south athwart the bark S
wake. invisible from the deck as the
dome CT st. Paul's. so that the mate,
after careless look, saw to the first
business Of tho day on board ship
washing down the decks.
The first of the passengers to make
his appearance was Mr. Storr. It was
still very carly The little man went uI
to the mate, and, after some talk about
the wind. and the rate Of progress. anC
the fine weather, he said he had passed
broken night.
"Too hot. perhaps?" says the mate
bad dreams. answered Mr.. Storr
"And. what's stranger than that. my
wifo was troubled with nightmare.
also"
''How is Miss Holroyd? Have yor
heard, sir?" inquired the mate
"'ldou't know. If her cabin had beer
next niEo. then, suppcsins she'd beei
restless, tailed (ieliriOusly. and so forth
might be able to account for our hav
ing been disturbed with ugly sleeping
fancies. But cre cannot hear through
two or three bulkheads. .
mo. sir" answered the mate.
II can't help thinking" continued
Mr.. StoTr. that something must hav
happened IL the night to account fo
my wifcs and my own res:lessness an.
dreams.
Its cdd that you should both hav
dreamed
The little man drew step closer +
the mate. and after swift glance roun'
the deck exclaimed with a degree O
earnestncss that rose alncst to agita
tioI: Mr.. Matthews. l don't min,
telling you there is something in th
looks Of several Of the ten gentleme
which is making my wife and me yer
uneasy. The robbery Of the arms ches
w:s very extraordinary; if a practica
joke. purposeless. II the design, of tn
thieves is lnenacing one, where al
the arms? And who are the men that di
it9 And what object have they in view:
There's nothing to be done. sir, bu
to keep our weather eye lifting" al
swered the mate in low, cautious voice
''Then you are suspicious yourself?'
The prudent mate responded with
grave smile.
'Wbere could they have hidden til
goods?" exclaimed tho, auctionee,
Heavy muskets and great cavalry nj.
tolls aren't easily concealed. Both n,
wife and I have particularly observe
the people at your end. at table and @
deck. They dress mainly in light. air
clothes, and we cannot discover tina
they are armed
"Good mercyv' cried the mate. wit
start. II should hope they're no
SIR"
'can't Captain Ecnson do anything:
"What would you suggest" inquire
the mate ds:nureiy.
This puzzled Mr.. Storr After sho
silence, Il quite understand, said b
"thc delicate position the captain
placed in. He couldn't batten the
down on mere suspicion. They'd c,ai
heavy damages on the ships arrival al
ruin the old gentleman and perhaps
employers. And yet l fear they'll II maj
it an uncomfortable massage for n
Never to be able to 60 TO bed without
Here. turning his head, he saw CAPITA
Trollope passing in his lounging wa
from the companion to the rail. "Aye
said he. raising his voice, ga graz
morning indeed! But we shall ne,
more wind. Mr.. Matthews, if we're
get round the Horn quickly
At half past 8 that morning thr
chairs were empty at the cuddy tabl
The little captain came out Of his cab
looking unusually stern, and the ash
gray Of anxiety was mingled with 4
SEQ red Of his complexion. He ran h
eye down the limo of gentlemen on eth
hand and missed the huge form of NJ
Mark Davcnire.
~ "Wherc is Mr.. Davenire:" he said
Captain Trollopc.
"Johnson tells me he's not we'll
answered Trollope.
Troliope began to eat, as though
matter was Of no consequence to him.
II hope your daughter is better Il
morning. ma'am:" says the captain
Nm. Holroyd