The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-01-13
CHAPTER III.

and in the midst of it ] saw the little
supercargo dart from some place aft
and raise the captains head. l leaped
TO the poop ladder and flung myself up,
and then [ turned To the poor captain,
with whom II had Jared, indeed, after
the worst. His lower face, save for the
chaps, TO which some beard hung, had
been shot away, and he was dead
man, even before l had stopped to speak
TO the sailor.
"This is sorrowful business" said the
supercargo, rising with a sigh, and COW
ering the shattered face with his poclk-
ct handkerchief. "He was a brave man
and true"
summoned three seamen, and with
great tenderness we brought down
Capt. Houthwick's body, which we laid
for the time on the quarterback, COW
ering it with a tarpaulin. When these
things were attended to the mate dis
patched us again forward, and for a
little we gave our sole attention to the
handling and better speeding of the
ship. The Dutchman's crippled fore
mast continued to fret him, but he
WOnlu HOb give ONtIs 81 III a. lOlk
time we both kept ourcourse, though the
Industry all the while made small but
steady gain. It must have been half
an hour after this that Master Sellinger
called me, and upon my responding said
that he must now retire to the cabin
for little. the further disposition of
the voyage standing to be settled, and
that meanwhile I was to command the
ship. With that, ana upon my ascend
ing to the quarterback. he made a
sign to Mr.. lynn and they both went
below.
After a little Mr.. lynn and the mate
returned to the deck, their counte-
nances, though sober, cleared, as I
thought, as it might be they had set
tied their business to their minds.
They first devoted their attention for
n brief space to the Dutchman, who
was still by Titles falling behind.
though he had at last set some manner
of fore topsail and continually dog
gedly to follow us. and when this scru-
tiny was ended they walked over to
where | was standing.
"Well, Master Ardick." began Mr..
lynn, doubtless you and the crew
would by this time relish some informa-
ton as to the future business of the
voyage. Master SeIlinger and ! have
taken counsel together, and think,
please God, to go presently on with it.
We shall stand forthwith into sid
mouth, where we hope to procure first
mate. which done. with Master Selin-
ger raised to be captain, we shall
straightway fetch our course again for
Havana"
OF course my opinion was not sought,
but merely my curiosity was vouch-
safed to be satisfied, so | only bowed,
and said that the decision would please
the forecastle, as it did me, and with
that ! withdrew and went forward.
After time the lndustry's course
was changed. and she was laid with
her nose almost due forth, and this she
held as the Devonshre coast gradu-
ally rose and cut Il clearer outline. BY
this time poor Hans Butterbox had be-
come discouraged and given up the
chase.
was beginning to be surprised that
nothing had been done touching the
disposal of the bodies of the captain
and Dingsby, which were still extend
ed on the quarter-deck, covered with
the tarpaulins. but ! was now to UNI
derstand the reason of the delay and
apparent neglect. Mnster-or | must
now say Captain--Scllinge presently
came to the confines of the quarter
deck, and. having called us before him.
told us that it was Capt. Houthwick's
oft-eXpressed desire to be buried in the
sea. which desire, he said. he had de-
termined to comply with. AS Dings-
by was an old sailor, and was not
known to have any family, it was the
opinion Of Mr.. lynn and himself that
il would be well and fitting TO let his
body accompany his old captains. No
one raised any opposition to this, or
indeed struck in with word, and so
the sea burial for both these brave
mariners was settled upon. We sewed
the two bodies up in their canvas
shrouds, heavy weights were placed at
their feet, and they were balanced on
planks across the bulwark. All un-
covered, and Mr.. Tym read prayer
As rough voice or two joined in the
amen, Capt. Sellinger gave the signal
and the bodies were shot into the
water. The splashing they made was
lost in the racing by of the next sea,
and we solemnly drew in the bare
planks and the doeful business was
over.
We ran into Sidmouth without
trouble or delay, and when the anchor
was cast Capt Sellinger ordered the
gig, and was pulled ashore. He did
not return till morning, and then
fetched with him stranger, whom
he presently declared to us as the
new mate. l Immediately fell into
some wonderment at the looks of this
man. He was tall-taller by an inch
than I-round-backed, gaunt, and mar
velously old looking in the face, though
ne could not have been above five-and
thirty. His hair was jet black and