The Hope pioneer., 1899-06-01
CHAPTER III.
A VOLUNTARY PRISONER.

Darkness was well settled on the sea,
though there still hung faint, hot glow
ill the west when l had finished my business
on the Sprite.
Barring the baleful eye of Scammell, there
had been nothing to mar the proceedings in
making report in harmony with my story.
The dragoons silence and steady gaze were
u tritle disconcerting, and the knowledge of
the captured black (who had been conveyed
to the Sprite), coupled with the feeling that
Lounsbury might return to his senses and
spring mine beneath me, served to keep
my nerves at tension which became we'll
nigh unbearable.
There had been number in the elegant
cabin, but of them l wot not, save that most
| of them got hot with liquor. For sight of it
had been taken, even the captain having his
Judgment crossed and his jollity increased
by constant recourse to the bottle.
And here let me say that, in my poor
opinion, both the length and cruelty of the
war were helped more than little by this
never-ending taking aboard of Clutch cour-
| age" Had it made men battle in proportion
to their boasting, 'twould have served some
proper end, but never found that could
fight better with eyes and wits tangled with
liquor, and, in fact, though l preach not,
this occasion-to keep up appearances
And even on this occasion had still the
upper hand of what drank, and noticed
that Scammcll was nursing himself as well; !;
but, aside from we two, twas a noisy crowd
that tumbed to the deck to see me back to
the Phantom.
had made myself mighty popular during
my short stay aboard. a change of berths
lad been offered me, but had small notion
OF leaving my own craft with it's hidden
cargo, though | put it on the ground of fer
ieiting prize money if l deserted her A
crew Of five men were given me (Which
would make small claim for salvage in ia
vor of the Sprite), and now, with the doc
tor, who was to give hand to Lounsbury,
I stood by the side while laying small
wager on the race to New York.
had little heart in the laugh and last
Eandshake to the rest, and was about put
ting foot on the side steps to pass to the
boat that was swinging high and low on the
running seas, when my attention was caught
by the face of a girl who rose through the
companion and stood startlingly clear
against the black background Of the night.
The bright lamplight from the cabin flooded
and brought out every detail of her features.
IL was but the face and bust 1 saw, the open
door cutting off the lower part of her figure,
but twas the face Of an angel, and for an in
slant | forgot to move, looking at her as |
would at beautiful picture.
And picture she made as she stood there
turned toward us. High breeding showed in
the delicate contour Of chin and cheek, dark
eyes and clearly cut straight nose, but twas
the small mouth with it's fine red lips half
open as though in inquiry that held me by
re ,,-h,1 {t,, -. L
dressed high, as was the fashion of the times,
gave touch Of perfection to her counte-
nance.
The vison-for twas more akin to
vision than reality-lasted but a breath, for
Scammell thrust his form betwixt us, and
made rapid steps toward the companion
way, while /, with hand wave to the others,
joined the doctor in the boat.
The surgeon, tall, raw-boned Irishman,
afflicted with strong after-dinner hic-
cough and desire to talk, settled back in
the stern sheets, and voluntarily fell into an
explanation of a lady being on board the
Sprite.
can We know not Mrs. Badcly, Sir Henry's
light-o'-love? 'Tis a shame that kings off.
GERS be made to dance attendance to that
iik. Her ward seems to be O. different clay,
though. A bonny lass she is, an lonely
one, having no great love for her guardian,
as it's plain to see, an few to turn'a word
with, saving Scammell. Did We mark the
way he slid to her when she lifted DER the
latch? 'Tis in my mind he's jealous O. the
deck her foot lights on, an he hangs about
her like broodng hen. Twas sorry move
Sir Henry made when he lit on him for
guard O honor to Mrs. Badcly and Gertrude
King. Bad for him, mean, since It's plain
he's struck between wind and water by the
lass, though, in my mind, she'll have little
tc do with the likes O him after setting foot
ashore"
From this and other rambling talk gath.
cred that the Spritc was taking two ladies'
from Philadelphia to New York ladies high
in favor with Gen. Clinton-and that one OF
them. Mrs. Badcly, was the famous beauty
to whom the doughty knight had given his
heart without the honorable accompaniment
of his hand and name Her notoliety had
even spread beyond the British lines, and
much OF the opportunc inactivity of the enc
my was explained NJ due to the fascination
Of his mistress and ths inability of the com
mander To Withdraw from her influence and
take the field.
lT0 Nv cGHrIHUnp.l