Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-06

am the commander Of this brig.
madam" said he. Ny name is Boil
dock-Commander Boldock Of the Royal
navy. have ventured to look in upon
you to see how you are.'
Il am better and stronger and shall
feel quite we'll tomorrow. am sure, -
answered the girl.
$50! You are English! like to know
that we have saved the life Of . fellow
countrywoman." said Boldock, sitting
down on a locker. 'You have been very
miraculously preserved.
1t is DREAM" said the girl in lit.
tie more than whisper, rolling up he,
eyes
"Can you recollect how it was OF
why it was that you were floating in
the sea gagged?"
"Oh, yes. I have perfect recollec.
tion," answered the lady, letting her
eyes fall from their upturned lock to
heaven and fastening them upon Boil
docks face. II have perfect recollec-
ton. she repeated, with countenance
Of horror. 1T was dreadful, merciless,
monstrous. Shall 1 tell You the story?''
Her emotion started the blood, and
her cheek got little color.
"Not unless you feel equal to the
job. said the commander.
''But will you first tell me what ship
this is-where am-what part of the
world we are in:''
"You are on board the surveying
brig Wellesley, a colonial vessel. She
belongs to Sydney and is the property
of the government, said the command
er, land am in charge of her. We are
bound" he continued in his deep voice,
speaking as though feeling more and
more aggrieved, ION a surveying expe-
dition. We want to determine the place
Of certain shoals and q line of coral
reefs that's brought up more than one
ship all standing. We are at present in
the south Pacific. about q fortnight
sail from Sydney"
She listened eagerly, the intellect so
Frightening in her vision that when he
was done her fine dark eyes glowed upon
him.
my name is Margaret Mansel, :" she
began. Boldock bowed. 81 am a gov
erness and went to Australia two years
ago to seek living, but could do no
good for myself, so I sailed a week or
two since for England in ship called
the Queen.
"a bark" said the commander.
"Benson's her master. ] know them
BOTH --a.-.s. ---.
"Among the passengers" said Miss
Mansel. speaking in a low, level voice,
"were ten men. They formed the great.
er proportion Of the people the Queen
carried in the cuddy. They were a mys-
FERROUS lot, and from the hour Of my
first sitting with them at table, over
hearing them and observing them, /
distrusted them. 1t was always in my
head that they had come ON board as q
gang. l could not imagine their mo-
tives. understand that the captain sus.
pected them, but could bring nothing
home. One was q surly, brutal looking
man. His name was Dixie Caldwell"
HAL exclaimed the commander in
q voice that rose from the depth Of his
soul.
"Why do you cry outf" asked Miss
Mansel. trying to lift her head.
AAoy pAoCScus 6olU DOluOCk.
"Another was Mr.. Mark Davenire, -
the girl went on. "a huge, dangerous
looking man. I fancy that the person
they called Captain Trollope was the
head OF the company, but never could
make sure. never could pick up any hint
or catch any look to suggest an idea.
They were very cautious-seemed not
to know each other at first, walked and
talked in couples. and their converse.
ton at the table was all about nothing
at all. One night the arms chest was
broken open. and all the arms stolen"
"Oho!' said the commander, opening
his eyes wide, with such a sudden fiery
snln OF his nostrils as rounded them al.
most to the ridiculous fancy of the grin.
ming lips Of a pair of carronades.
I'VE were all very much alarmed, -
continued Miss Mansel. land the cap
tain in the morning ordered the cabins
to be searched. But no arms were found.
The cabins of the ten men were ran.
sacked. and the men themselves assisted,
shouting with laughter, Glowing the
two officers and finding nothing but fun
and horseplay in the serious business. -
The commander broke into her speech
with low whistle, while he bestowed
upon her train Of significant mods.
is 1t not an extraordinary story?'
said Miss Mansel.
1t promises to be the most extraor.
binary that ever was heard of at sea. -
answered Boldock.
The young lady smiled warly, but did
not continue 20 speak -
Don't distress yourself" said Boil.
dock. Il will return in minute mad.
am
He rose. with his infiamed face full
OF good natIred, sailorly concern, and
stepping into the cabin drew a bottle
of Madeira from locker and filled a
wineglass. He returned and presented
1t to the young lady. who. however. as
may be supposed. was in no condition
to release her arms Boldock, swayinp
on his legs with the full wineelass
poised in his fist, gazed with embarrass.
ment at Miss Mansel, who bit her Lin
and flushed deep with the sense of her
state. scarcely knowing what to do with
her eyes.
There's but one way, il You'll per.
init me-" said Commander RoldocL