Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-01-13
CHAPTER XIV.

STRIFE THE JOLLY ROGER
! had scarce gained position on the
bowsprit. when the flying jib tapped
and filed upon the other tack. with a
report like gun. The schooner trem-
: led 10 her keel under the reverse; but
next moment, the other sails still
drawing. the jib tapped back again.
and hung idle.
This had nearly tossed me OF into
the sea; and now lost no time. crawled
back along the bowsprt, and tumbled
head-foremost on the deck.
was on the lee side of the forecastle.
aud the mainsail. which was still draw
ing. concealed from me certain por-
ton OF the after-deck. Not soul was
TO be seen. The planks. which had moi
been swabbed since the mutiny. bore
the print of many feet: and an empty
bottle. broken by the neck. tumbled TO
and fro like live thing in the scuppers
Suddenly the "lIispaniola" came
right into the wind. The jibs behind
me cracked aloud; the rudder slammed
to; the whole ship gave a sickenlng
heave and shudder, and at the same
moment the main-boom swung in
board. the sheet grooming in the blocks
and showed me the lee after-deck.
There were the two watchmen. sure
enough red-cap on his back. as stiff as
a handspike. with his arms stretched
out like those of a crucifix. and his
teeth showing through his open lips;
Israel Hands propped against the bull
warks. his chin on his chest. his hands
living open before him on the deck. his
face as white. under its tan. as a tai
low candle.
For awhile the ship kept bucking and
siding like a vicious horse, the sails
filing. now on one tack. now on an
other. and the boom swinging to and
fro till the mast groaned aloud under
the strain. Now and again. too. there
would come a cloud of light spray Over
the bulwark. and heavy blow of the
ships bows against the swell--so much
heavier weather was made of il by this
great rugged ship than by my home
made. lop-sided coracle. now gone IL
the bottom of the sea.
At every jump of the schooner. red
cap slipped TO and fro; but-what was
CHASTITY to behold-neither his attitude
nor his fixed notwithstanding grin was
any way disturbed by this rough usage
At every jump, too. Hands appeared
still more to sink into himself and set
tie down upon the deck. his feet sliding
ever the further OUT. aud the Whole
body cantinr toward the stern. so that
his face became. little by little. hid
from me: and ~ last could see no'h
ing beyond his ear and the trays ed ring
let of one whisker.
At the same tire. I observed. aronnd
both of them. s3lashes of dark blood
upon the planks. aud began to feel sure
that they had killed eacn other in then
drunken wrath.
While l was thus looking and wen
derinr. in calll encH, Wien lie
ship vas still. lstle! L..lld- turned part
Is round. and. with low moan. writhed
himself back TO the position in which
4 had seen him first. The moan. which
told OF pain ard deadly weakness. and
the way in which his jaw hung open
went right to my heart. But when
remembered the talk had overheard
from the apple barrel. all pity left me
walked aft until | reached the main
mast.
Come aboard. Mr. Hands" | said,
ironically.
He rolled his eyes round heavily; but
he was too far gone to express surprise
All he could - was TO utter one word,
Brandy"
IL occurred to me there was no time
to lose: Snd. lodging the boom as il
once ras-e lurcbed across the deck.