Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-29
CHAPTER TIT.

Darkness was well settled on the sea,
though there still hung faint, hot glow
i'll the west when 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 dragons silence and steady gaze were
trl1c dlsconcerting, 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 a 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 jollty 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-endings 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 | preach not,
never touched it when in trouble save an on
this occasion-to keep up appearances.
And even on this occasion | had still the
upper hand of what drank, and noticed
that Scammell was nursing himself as we'll;
but, aside from we two, twas a noisy crowd
that tumbled to the deck to see me back to
the Phantom.
l 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 its hidden
cargo, though l put it on the ground of fer.
teiting prize money if l deserted her. A
crew of five men were given me (Which
would make a email claim for salvage in ia
vor of the Sprite), and now, with the doc.
tor, who was to give a hand to Lounsbury,
d! stood by the side while laying a small
wager on the race to New York
| had little heart in the laugh and last
kandshake 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 girl who rose through the
companion and stood startlingly clear
against the black background of the night.
The bright lamplght from the cabin flooded
'lilt DAoubHI OuI CNCIy OcLdu VI uCl lcdtulcS.
1t was but the face and bust saw, the open
but twas the face of an angel, and for an in.
slant l 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
ha Il ,to l,n1f
open as though in inquiry that held me by
its sweetness, while the mass of auburn hair,
dressed high, as was the fashion of the times,
gave a touch of perfection to her counte-
nance.
The vision-for twas more akin to
vision than reality-lasted but breath, for
made rapid steps toward the companion
joined the doctor in the boat.
The surgeon, tall, raw-boned Irishman,
afflicted with strong after-dinner hic-
the stern sheets, and voluntarily fell into an
explanation of lady being on board the
Sprite.
"An' We know not Mrs Badely, Sir Henry'a
light-o love? 'Tis a shame that kings Off
SCIo DC AlduS W udlCC dILCIluduCc " lIdL
Tx. 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 word
with, saving Scammell. Did we mark the
way he slid to her when she lifted DER the
hatch? IT'S in my mind he's jealous O. the
deck her foot lights on, an he hangs about
her like brooding hen. Twas sorry move
Sir Henry made when he lit on him for
guard O honor to Mrs. Badely 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 Sprite was taking two ladies
from Philadelphia to New York-ladies high |
in favor with Gen. Clinton-and that one Of |
them, Mrs. Badely, was the famous beauty |
to whom the doughty knight had given his
heart without the honorable accompaniment |
of his hand and name. Her notoriety had |
even spread beyond the British lines, and |
much OF the opportune inactivity of the enc
my was explained as due to the fascination
of his mistress and the inability of the com
mander 10 withdraw from her influence and |
take -!.a field.
[To M coS11NUED.j