The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-19
FOLLY AND FATE

huts of the village stood short distance in
land, and, set up endWSe against the wall,
was something dark, OF an oval FORM like
an immense shield target. With the aid
or the spy glass this easily recognized as
the bottom of our tub. What appeared like
pile of wood near it might well have been
composed of the slaves, and at once
OWNED that it had been shocked for the
sake of the iron hoops, the only part likely
! to be valued by these barbarians.
The attention of the king was attracted to
his carelessness in having left the head ex-
posed to view, as he noticed the little excite
ment among in the boats. At a signal
from him several ran to remove it and
carry it inside the building. But as they
opened the door for that purpose, a figure
pushed by them and darted out into the open
space with loud cry and frantic gestures.
Boy Bill" said a half dozen voices
He was recognized at a glance. We had no
doubt that Sullivan also inside though
he probably remained there al his own desiie e,
the boy plainly showed his eagerness to es-
cape and join his shpmates.
| Our baffled captain now at his wits
end 1t would never do to sacrifice life in
making an attack upon these people at close
quarters, and reluctantly the order was given
to weigh the grapnels and pull away for our
ship in the offing.
We had hardly made half dozen dips of
the oars, when the crack of a musket was
heard, and a ball struck in the water near
us. Yells Of derision rose the air from the
whole population; and the desperate, Sulli-
van, swinging musket aloft, Joined in the
insulting cry of defiance. Perched on the roof
of the council house he had fired the shot at
US as soon as he saw we had abandoned our
undertaking. The boy Bill was not to be seen.
Lets stand in with the ship and give them
shot from the big gun" said the mate. I'VE
can do it safe enough, sir, l think
Il will do it, returned Captain WILCOX;
"even if 1 lose the ship. Pull ahead and let's
get aboard before the breeze dies away! The
Iscoundrel!"
no of
was merely an old FOUNDER, which could
only be effective at pretty short range. 1t
was necessary to approach very near the land,
but, favored with a fine working breeze, we
ventured to run the risk. The natives took
the alarm as they the ship steadily hold
ing her way almost to the outer limit of the
reef; and when her broadside swung to bear
upon the beach, and the word given to
fire not human being was to be SEEN
The gun was trained as accurately as we
knew how upon the large building, and the
mate applied the match, grinding his teeth
as he did SO. AS its sharp report died away
a discordant chorus of yells succeeded, and
number of men poured out of the building
clustering around one who seemed to have
been wounded. Others were also seen rush.
ing from various quarters, and several ran
toward the shore with gestures of fear and
supplication.
Load up again, quick!' said Mr. Manches-
ter, now thoroughly excited I'VE ratified the
bamboo and thatch about their ears tina t
side of the house." -
! But there was no need to fire again. "A
group now appeared with the boy Bill in the
tcenter, hurrying him down to the water side
and the most frantic signals were made in
Wiling communication. Another group bore
the body of the wounded man. and the wom-
en- and children formed in the background of
the picture, among the cocoa palms. with up
raised hands and piercing cries.
| Heading off shore under short sail, but with
the gun still loaded and bearing upon the
landing place, we approached with the boat
as near as was prudent, and our boy plung-
ing in, swan out to US, and was heartily
greeted by his shipmates. On the coral slope,
at the feet of the frightened natives lay the
body OF Jack Sullivan, his face upturned to
the blazing tropical sun.
| rs he badly hurt?" demanded the mate
Dead, SIR" answered the boy THE ball
struck him full in the head
Pull ahead then" was the order. as he
laid the boats head round off shore We've
no time to lose, with the ship so close into the
rocks and they are welcome to his body. if
they want it,
The captain took Bills hand, with a tear
in his eye, when he stood once more on the
ships deck He said nothing of punishment
for desertion; he did not even reproach him
but left him to his own thoughts.
| The lesson had not been lost upon him
boy Bill is now shipmaster himself and
this rash adventure of his boyhood seems al
most like dream to him.-Lafayette Call.