Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-01-06

since found | could not push the cor
scle directly off, now showed straight
astern. At length l was clear of my
dangerous neighbor; and just as gave
the last impulsion, my hands came
across the stern buwarks. Instantly
| grasped it.
Why ! should have done so / can
hardly say. 1t was at first mere in
stinct; but once | had it in my hands
and found it fast. curiosity began to get
the upper hand. and | determined ]
should have one look through the cabin
window.
pulled in hand over hand on the
cord, and, when ! judged myself neai
enough, rose at infinite risk to about
half my height. and thus commanded
the roof and a slice of the interior of the
cabin
BY this time the schooner and her
little consort We're gliding pretty swift
ly through the water; indeed. we had
already fetched up level with the camp
fire. The ship was talking. as sailors
say, loudly. treading the innumerable
ripples with an incessant weitering
splash; and until got my eye above the
window sill ! could not comprehend
why the Waterman had taken no alarm
One glance, however, was sufficient;
and it was only one glance that burst
take from that unsteady skiff. II
showed me Hands and his COMPANION
locked together in deadly wrestle. each
with hand upon the others throat.
dropped upon the thwart again.
none too soon, for was near overheard.
| could see nothing for the moment, but
these two furious. encrimsoned faces.
swaying together under the smoky
lamp; and | shut my eyes to let them
grow once more familiar with the
darkness.
The endless ballad had come to an
end at last, and the whole diminished
company about the campfire had broken
into the chorus had heard so often:
Fifteen men on the dead mans chest
Ho-ho-ho, and a bottle OF rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
ho-ho-ho. and bottle Of ruml"
was just thinking how busy drink
and the devil were at that very moment
In the cabin of the ''Hispaniola.' when
was surprised by a sudden lurch of the
coracle. At the same moment she
waved sharply and seemed to change
her course. The speed in the meantime.
had strangely increased.
l opened my eyes at once. All round |
me were little ripples. combing over |
with sharp. brisfling sound and slight.
y phosphorcscent The ''Hispaniola" |
herself, a few yards in whose wake /
was still being whirled along, seemed
to stagger in her course. and l saw her
spars toss little against the black.
ness OF the night; nay. as looked longer. /
made sure she also was wheeling 10
The southwark.
l glanced over my shoulder. and nv
leart jumped against my ribs. There.
right behind me, was the glow of the
,amptire. The current had turned at
light angles, sweeping round along
With IL the tall schooner and the little
ianeing eoracle; ever quickening. ever
oubbling higher, ever muttering louder.
I went spinning through the narrows
OF the open sea
Suddenly the schooner in front of M,
ave violent yaw. turning. perhaps.
through 20 degrees; and almost at the
'ame moment one shout followed an
'ther from on board; could hear feet
pounding on the companion ladder: and
knew that the two drunkards had NJ
asst been interrupted in their quarrel
ind awakened to sense Of their dis
ster.
l lay down Cat in the bottom Of
hat wretched skiff. and deyoutly com.
nended my spirit to its Maker. At the
nd Of the straits. made sure we musr
all into some bar Of raging breakers