The diamond drill., 1899-08-12
CHAPTER xvI.-coxrrNurp.

A lighted lantern hung from a carline, the
remains OF a meal were spread on the table,
and there, half reclining in bunk and with
his head in bandage, was Capt. Scammel,
haggard from fever and somewhat the
worse from liquor, while on the transom
end by his side sat my whilom mate, John
Lounsbury, OF Rye, late risen from the dead.
Here, then, were my two arch-enemies;
probably the only living souls whose animos-
ity toward me was both OF a personal and
political nature, saving perhaps that Of
Clinton himself Possibly my gorge would
have risen sooner against Scammcll than at
the man by his side, though the latter was
none the less villain, and II seemed as
though fate, having given me friends when
in need, had guided me thither TO test my
mettle to extremity.
Giving no thoughts TO those in the boat,
settled myself 10 hear the opening dialogue
OF the two, for it Immediately transpired
that Lounsbury had but just arrived
.My God! | thought you would never
comel" were the first words 10y Scammell
What news do you bring2'
None to warrant grim was the an
swcr. II can give ye no end o advice,
though. an It's to get from this an have II
out wi Clinton while there's yet chance =
Damn your odvce What your newsT'
well, Belden goes scot free, an is back
in favor an on the Sprite. lie lays the
fault o palming off that devil Thorndyke TO
ye. lie says We called Thorndyke by my
name in the tavern yard, and that he is in
nocent Of all fraud.
Curse the stunted coward And is not
Thorndyke caught or or the sirl or her
brother?"
"Nay, but a peg worse Thorndyke has
drained Lowney, whom We must know, and
then escaped, God knows how, being mixed
up with Quaker at Strykor's tavern on the
road Stryker was arrested, but aiterward
let 70, for he was not thought TO have had a
finger in the pie. AS for the boy an girl,
nauQht has been seen o them--not smell
and there ye have all know They say
the girl is in the woods 10 the north, but
she may ha' gone to Heaven By ths!"
'Whatg what?" said Scammell, starting
iip. but sinking back with curse as be
blaced his hand on his bandaged head. In
the woods! Known 10 be there and not
taken! Are We all cursed babies on the
trail? Fore God, you are right! ] was a
TOOL TO ily az a shadow I'll back TO Clin-
ton and plead fever TO explain my absence.
III back with YOU this night The first tale
told Is the best Is it not known whose
name she mentioned to Clintong''
"Nay, man, she gave no name that can
find. Clinton but suspicioned ye. Go to
him, an yer not u fool, while / bide here
the while. What made ye pick this spot to
hide in?" he continued, carelessly passing
his hand over the smooth woodwork Of the
bulkhead.
Because twas right beneath their noses,
and the guard was in my pay. In faith,
Lounsbury." he went on, with something
like relief in the easing away OF his body and
the long breath he took while he laid his
hand on the brace of pistols sticking in his
belt, "thcre was another reason. one with
money
All whatY interrupted the other, sud
denly withdrawing his wandering hand ana
bending eagerly forward.
"Ay, the reward, you know; I'm nigh
done up for cash. That and revenge for,
mind YOU. / thought that Thorndykc might
take IL into his head to come aboard his own
ship, thinking, like me, II was the least
likely place TO be searched. His paper gave
me the idea. / hoped TO lie by here until
She trouble blew over, or roll IN the glory
q taking the hound if he came. lie Is equal
60 attempting a surprise, but was ready
for him. The guard is none too bright; had
YOU not better step up and take look
aboutg" And with this he patted the
cleaning pistol stocks and looked toward
the companion way.
''There will be no guard 10 meet him this
night" answered Lounsbury with laugh
which also betokened relief. IL let him go
till sunrise, and his musket lies fog-soaked
on the deck. the assl Ye have the vapors.
We be safe enough. The fog lies like fleece,
but-but-"
"But what, you fools' was the irritable
rejoinder.
II meant twas new thought, that o
the chance O. his coming. Ne'er mind. Go
sc ashore with the guard when he gets back,