Williston graphic., 1899-02-10
CHAPTER v.


Ardicks hand by one OF the sailors.
CHAPTER V.
OF A VERY STIRRING PIECE OF BUs1-
NESS.
was eager and might say anxious
to know what the slip of paper con-
tained, and determined to examine it
without delay. I would not take it to
the bittacle, for there the helmsman
might see me, and yet was for max
ing use of the bittacle lanthorn. !
ascended the poop ladder, turning over
a little plot in my mind, and when l
was nearly up with the bittacle box
I stopped and uttered a sharp excla-
nation.
"A shilling!" I growled. "Curses
light on the villainous tailor that must
leave pocket as open as chimney!
I must have fling of your lanthorn."
l took it out of the box without wait
ing for his consent and whisked it
around to the hither side. The fellow
dare not leave his tiller, even had he
sufficient interest or curiosity to do
so, and for the instant I was safe. l
held the paper low that none forward
could make me out, and on spreading
it open discovered that it bore few
lines of most villainous, ugly writing.
They had the seeming, indeed, of hav-
ing been traced with bit of charcoal
or the point of charred stick. I
brought all my clerkly powers to bear,
and, in quicker time than could have
thought possible, finally deciphered
the words. Luckily they were few in
number. men be going to mutinize'
$50 the missive ran). Flower days.
The mate, hee is the leeder. l am
watched"
1t seemed to me at that moment.that
the fellow at the wheel must have
heard the throb my heart gave. !
looked at him as 1 Strengthened up
at mis- black outlines, as he bowed over
the tiller tackle-and hung for the mo-
ment all in the wind.
Ileft him and walked leisurely to the
head of the ladder, whence, with a
careless air, surveyed the deck. By
the faint light of the stars I could
make out the dim shapes of two of the
men, and red spark by the foot of the
mainmast, where third was at the
moment starting his pipe. None were
very near, which was the thing I would
know. The foot of the poop must lie
we'll in shadow, so that one slipping
up to the companion and slyly open
ing it would run but small risk of be-
ing seen. I was heavy and heartsore
under the sudden shifting of this busi-
ness, and could not yet persuade my
self that it was all true, or bring my
self into the heart of it to appreci-
ate it
threw one swift glance around and
saw no one apparently looking. The
two nearest men had swung about and
were facing aft, and the smoker had
hitched partially around, giving me
the square of his shoulder. Now was
my opportunity. I darted in, closing
the door after me. A glance showed
that lighted lanthorn hung against
the mast, but the berth was empty. /
stopped for nothing further, but
strobe long and softly toward the cap
tain's ca bin. This was the frst-count-
ing from the starboard side-of the
three after rooms, the next being oc-
cupied by the mate and the. third by
the supercargo. I skirted the table
and reached the door and put out my
hand to rap gently upon it. While yet
my knuckles were presented the door
~ an r-io ho IN
the supercargo's - abruptly opened
and Mr.. lynn himself put out his head.
I fell back step, not being pre-
pared. for this interruption, and ere
l could speak or utter caution he
strode out and hailed me sharply:
Stand! What do you seek?"
"Hst, hist!" 1 said, in a sharp whis-
per. "a word with you, if you will,
but no noise"
BY this time he recognized me, which
now l saw that he had not at first, and
he fell back without word, and mo-
toned for me to enter. I whipped in
with all speed, and Immediately that
I was past him he gently closed the
door.
I Immediately advanced my lips to
his ear, and acquainted him, in the
fewest words possible, with what was
doing. Speak cautiously, SIR con-
cluded, ''for you know the mates
berth adjoins this"
He took away his head, and looked at
me as one thunderstruck. Instead of
answering, he plucked off his bar
nacles and put. them in the case, and
walked to the window. I conceived
that he might be collecting his wits,
which must be little shaken, and that
without any impairment of his cour-
age. Clapping up his hand to guide the
sound, he said in my ear:
1--WE will confound the arch villain.
Stay but a moment, till can prepare,
and we will be about it,
My own spirits and courage rose at
this, and I stood up very sturdily, as l
nodded assent.
He thereupon softly advanced to the
wall, whence he took down his sword
and buckled it on, and from beneath
his bunk produced box, which proved
to contain brace of pistols, with pow
der and ball.
He handed these weapons to me with
a sign to load them, and while 1 was
l.. i