Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-07-07

Perhaps she brings it with her."
suggested Hislop.
And how it came to pass that she
appeared right in the ofing and out.
side the bay all at Once?" asked Tom
Lambourne
She must have rounded the high
bluff while we were all palavering,"
said Probart.
Nothing more was said for a time
but whether it was the effect of imag-
nation or of an Oyerstrained eyesight
I know not, she seemed to melt as it
were in the brightness of the moon
shine-to become so indistinct that we
could see the line of the horizon
through her topsails; and next it
seemed as if her hull, her sparS and
rigging were edged with bright pris-
matte hues
1t is impossible for me to describe
the blank establishment. or rather the
intense CONSERVATION, of our men on
the disappearance of this vessel. which
was the object Of so many hopes and
wishes.
Some time elapsed before the poor
fellows rallied sufficiently to speak on
the subject: and meanwhile, there
flashed upon my memory some strange
and weird old Celtic tales, which
Highland boy at Elton was wont to
tell us, of ships which in the days of
Ossian traversed the steep hills and the
salt lochs of Morven with equal IA
cility.
1t is a ship-Or rather the repre-
sentation of a veritable ship-which
cannot be far off the island. and is
making for it at this moment" said
Hislop emphatically
How far do you think she is, si-?'
asked Hugh Shute, mockingly.
perhaps twenty miles perhaps a
huudred-it is impossible to say"
So thoroughly were our companions
scared by the recent spectral appear
ance. which they connected in some
way with the dreadful character of
Antonio ell CubanO. that they at once
commenced with alacrity the prepara-
tons for putting to sea.
II may be that somewhat of the pro-
firmed their resolution.
They were already tired of their So
journ on the island, and inspired by
the desire of reaching Tristan da Gun
ha. which is inhabited by about eighty
families of Portuguese, English and
mulattoes, among whom Hislop as
sured them they might linger long
enough before they were taken off by
a passing ship-quite as long as if they
remained on the Isle OF AlphonsO-and
where for subsistence they would be
forced to work as day laborers in the
savaEnas and on the highways.
As for the Island of Diego Alvarez.
our Scotch mate, who seemed to know
everything assured them that it pro-
duced only moss and sea grass, and
that if cast there they would die of
starvation. Moreover, without chart
or compass, how could they hope to
steer with certainty in any direction?
They all might perish in detail by
the most dreadful deaths in their open
boat. gasping with unquenched thirst
under the blaze of tropical sun He
said much more; but they would listen
to nothing save their own fears and
restless impulses.
|. too. was weary of the island: and
though feeling all the dependency
that follows a severe disappointment
on the disappearance of the illusory
ship, in no way shared the wild and
ill-regulated wishes Of the crew.
though assured that | would be COM
PEELED to follow their desperate for
tunes
Hislop and I still fingered; so we
were told peTemptorily that if we did
not come on board at once they would
shove off without us. Thus compelled
we stepped in most reluctantly and
seated ourselves in the stern. and he
assumed the tiller. The oars were run
through the rowlocks. and I.ambourne
was about to shove off. when Probart,
who Lad the bow oar, suddenly re-
membered that he bad left his hatchet
near our wigwam, and asked me to
/ get it.
/ | jumped ashore. and was proceed
| ing along the beach for it. when sud-
| denly was confronted by Antonio,
] who from a thicket had been watch
! ing our operations and departure.
/ His tawney skin-for he was naked
/ TO he waist-his ferocious aspect. his
/ head Of matted hair. his colossal
/ strength and atrocious character were
/ not without due effect upon the
/ boats crew at this crisis.
shove off-shOve on" ! heard sew
eral voices cry in the boat; here
comes that dog Of Cubano"
struggled with Antonio: but he
laughed loudly. and drew his pistol
with The air OF one who would enforce
obedience; besides. his eyes. which
| the tangled masses of his hair over
hung, were flashing with malignant
fire. as all the slumberng devil was
| reused within him.
The whole crew saw this, and | per-
ceived that Mare Hislop made an at
tempt to rise up and spring overheard
to my succOr: but as all their hopes OF
reaching Tristan da Cunha depended
entirely upon his skill and knowledge
of navigation. he was seized by War
rem. Chute and others, roughly thrust
down in the stern sheets and fOrcibly
held there.
| saw now that the fear and selfish
ness OF the rest prevailed over all that
Hislop, LambOrune and Carlton could
urge; for. amid a storm of contending
\ ho N