Barbour County index., 1899-07-26
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.


broad bow. with its stump of the spirit
sail mast, was close at hand. A crowd
Of figures showed above the low bull
wark of the foredeck. and 1 looked ex
citedly till one Of them should hail. 1t
was only moment. A man in a cuirass
and headpiece, standing by the
weather shrouds, leaned over and PUT
his hand to his mouth.
Raft ahoy!"
L. sprang to. my feet, all the old
strength of my voice returned.
BOARD the ship!" l roared back
we are English!" 1t was surely un-
necessary now 90 tell him that we were
in distress.
She came into the wind, and while
her bows beat up great smother of
foam and her sails tapped and thun-
dered, the line snaked out and seized
it and made it fast. We were hauled
rapidly in. and dozen strong, sun
burned hands helped US scramble up
the side. tA.f 4t
Square the yards!" roared the same
voice that had hailed me.
Men knocked by me TO the after
braces, and l was too confused to get
out of the way, sailor though was.
well, and how is it with you now?"
asked a new and quiet voice, and
started and stared like fool, for the
owner of the voice was Nicholas Pra-
dey! "e
Mr.. Tym had waited for me, having
gained step in advance. bat the rush
over the crowded deck had pressed
him back. He was not at my side,
therefore, when the villain addressed
his question to me.
For the life of me ! could not lay in
slant hold of the word to answer. The
surprise, the feeling that fate had
played us trick, something like the
suggestion that the rogue was des-
tined, in spite of all, to triumph
these mingled impressions confused
me and held the words back on my
lips.
But all was the business of an in
stant. and by that time Mr.. lynn was at
my elbow. He had made out the viii
lain, though it seemed he had not
caught the exact purport of the in
quiry. He drew himself up sternly and
looked the fellow in the face.
What may be your question, sir :?
| trust it may be such that the answer
! can be brief"
| Nay" he answered, leisurely, "your
manner is a bit stiff and unfriendly.
| Best take some further consideration,
and then we will discourse. Meanwhile
you have wants that shall be attended
to. We can fit you and Master Ardick,
here. as well as this good fellow, with
drier clothes than you have. Lieut..
| Phibbert!"
A big fellow in steel headpiece and
body armor. but otherwise in ordinary
sea habit. pushed out of the crowd.
Have these people below. Bestow
this one in the vacant berth off the
cabin. and find the others hunks in
the steerage. Ask Lieut.. Niles for a
shift for this gentleman-I opine they
are near the same bigness-and have
the slop chest overhauled for Master
Ardick and the other. In truth," he
concluded. with cold grin, I'VE do our
calling no discredit in bestowing this
hospitality. for 1 can aver that these
two, at least, are rare fighting men!"
Mr.. Tym puffed out his lips and
sucked them back. as his habit was
when perplexed or in thought, and
after glance at me, answered.:
Speaking for myself. would choose
to have as little as possible between us
yet I acknowledge that we are not
wholly in case to refuse your offers
Let our absolute needs be met, then
since it must be so. but ask us not
l am sure 1 speak for Master Ardick
as well as for myself-ask US not to
exchange more than the strictest need
of words with you. Further, refuse
your offer of the cabin. and would be
sent forward with my friends"
Il BE it so; I care not how you have
it. Go where you wish. and be as mum
as you like. make but the one condi
tion-you and the others shall blaf
nothing of old matters. At a later
! time l will send for YOU"
We'll" said Mr.. Tym. 1--WE ere con
formable TO that, are we not. friends q
Both Mac Tvrach and asseuted
Get refreshments, then" sale
Pradey. turning away. sand at a prope
season you shall be summoned"
We followed on dripping in the wax,
OF the lieutenant. and were had dowr
the companion to a plainly Furnished
cabin