The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-05-27

your name was Gill
dez.'
$50 1t was on the
barque yonder. You see my owns a
bit too famous for general use. But
here I'm among friends, and can fly
what flag i please"
Among friends ?" said Dick; what
do you mean by that?"
1T seems I've an old acquaintance
with you to begin with" said John
stone. imp%udently; land hen I'VE come
a good IA with Madame and the coll
onel."
Answer me-" said Dick, angrily,
and remember your place!"
so | do" retorted the other; I'm
captain of this ship for the time be-
ing
E%stcourt was more astounded than
ever. and indignant at the brazen face
Of the fellow. Come. my man." he
said, sternly. your tongues too loose;
you'd best tell me the plain truth at
once"
You've got 1t already" replied John
stone. I'm to sail the brig for Captain
Worsley until he's or his legs again."
by whose authority"
His own; he's an old friend o. mine.
We've made many a lucky voyage in
company before now, and he knows
there's no crew afloat that I couldn't
handle
Dick looked at the herculean frame
and fierce domineering face before him.
He remembered how the boldness and
force of the man had indelibly inn
pressed him years ago at Copenhagen,
and he felt that Worsley was amply
..,nAsGAl H. ii!
ed, too. that it mattered little to him
who sailed the ~Speedwell, so long as
she was safely carried into port; in fact,
of the two men he preferred tombstone,
for, though he was less respectful than
Worsley. he was at any rate beyond
comparison more active and coura-
eou
Well" he said. at last, in a Modified
tone, II Hare say you'll make as good
captain as we need have; if you don't.
you'll have me to reckon with, you
know And he was about to turn
away. when he remembered hat he had
had no explanation yet of the locked
cabin.
III You'll lie good enough to unlock
hat door" he said, "Ili go in and
pay Captain Worsley a visit
At this moment the colonel appeared
in the passage.
And how is Captain Worsley getting
on now?" he asked. as he came toward
the other two.
That's just what I want to find out
for myself" replied Dick. and he held
IA his hand for the key.
tombstone drew back a step. bu.
seemed uncertain whether to comply or
not. The colonel. standing a little be
hind. frowned and shook his head over
Dicks shoulder. tombstone put the key
back in his pocket.
Excuse me. sir" he said to Estcourt.
with more respect than he had yet
shown. but l have strict orders to the
contrary, and 1 daren't go against
them
Before Dick could speak the colonel
interviewed.
III think you told me-" he said to
tombstone. that Captain Worsley
showed an unreasonable prejudice
against Captain Estcourt In particu-
lar?"
Yes. sir; he's very violent" replied
the man; "and IL he's thwarted while
he's in this state, / won't be answerable
for the consequences. And just now
he's sleeping heavily after his dose"
Dick saw that it was OF no use to
press the matter further. There was
something odd about the whole affair,
but he was really very little interested
i'm the patient o. his case. and, hav-
ing done enough for civility. was quite
ready to turn away to the more attrac-
tive society of CamillA and her brother
iu-law. But he had scarcely yet re-
covered from his surprise at meeting
tombstone again so Unexpectedly after
twenty years, and made a remark 20
that effect as he went up on deck with
the colonel
"J~ohnstone?" said NJ. de Montaut;
what Johnstone?"
Do you remember of my talking TO
you of a man of that name-a famous
smuggler-who volunteered TO steer the
ship OF which L served at the battle
Of Copenhagen"
"Ah, yes" replied the colonel; II re-
member the incident perfectly. but /
had forgotten the mans name. But
what do you mean he continued, ''by
saying you have met him again.