Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-03-23
CHAPTER Iv.-(continued.)

CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.)
On perceiving that / was awake.
hand bell was rung by the captain, and
hot coffee, accompanied by the last
slice of shore-bread that remained, was
brought to me by Billy. the cabin-boy.
and then. after time, was requested
TO state what craft that was from
which i had been taken, my name, and
so forth. that Mr.. Hislop might enter
all the particulars among the re
marks" in his log-book.
l soon satisfied them as to all this
And where am | now?" inquired.
Pretty far out upon the open sea.
my lad" replied the captain with a
smile, as he threw the end Of his che
root into the empty crate.
THE open sea-still the open seal"
reiterated with dismay, which l cared
bot to conceal.
Yes; we saw the last glimpse of the
plugged Start on the day before yes
terday. and this morning. just an hour
before picking you up. we bade good
bye to old England. for the Lizard
Light was bearing-you had the dead
watch. Hislop: how did 1t bear?"
About twelve miles off. on the
weather quarter"
How shall return home?'
They both laughed as l despairingly
made this inquiry.
by the way you left 1t. ! suppose;
That is by water" said Capt. Weston.
You spoke OF the Start; what is
ahat?"
"A cape OF the Channel. on the
outheast coast OF Devonshire. about
bine miles to the southwark OF Dart
nouth." he replied. while casting cas-
bal glance at chart which lay on the
able
l had thus. before being rescued so
providentially, drifted more than a
hundred miles from Erlesmere, and 1t
vas marvellous that the schooner had
noated SO far unseen.
well, what Is to be done now?"
sked the captain. I'VE are bound for
(he West Indies. but we may put you
board the first craft that passes us.
bomeward- bound: or you are free to
eemain. II we cannot do better for
kou."
thought OF my mother. my father.
ny two sisters: and my heart was so
"
ing me to the end, that l might see
IND embrace them all again. that had
DO words to reply. After time I ex-
laimed:
Home, homc!-let me go home to
lesmere!"-weeping as l spoke. for
The thought OF them all made me very
child again.
The captain and mate exchanged
1glances OF inquiry.
Its no use piping your eye now. my
ad," said the former. coming toward
ny berth: but answer me quietly. You
baid that your name was Rodney?"
"Yes."
"And You spoke OF Erlcsmere: are
tou n son OF old DR.. Rodney. the rec
orr"
DO you know my father. them" I
Exclaimed.
Cant say exactly that have the
Aonor Of being known to him: bu, |
know OF him. right we'll. Why. Master
Rodney. have sailed your uncle's
hips many a time. and know his
loomy old office in the city. as wei!
is the buoy at the More: so you are as
bafe and rs welcome aboard the Eu-
genie as II In the old rectory house at
home"
This was pleasant intelligence. at all
vents; but my earnest desire was to
|eturn-a design which was not fated
10 be speedily gratified.
For several days We passed only out
gard-bound vessels. or others which
we're at such a distance that the task
BIZ signaling and speaking with them
would have delayed the Eugenie longer
Than Capt. Weston could risk. Two
That passed near us. when we showed
bur ensign. replied by displaying the
kricolor OF France or the red and yell
ow bars Of Spain; SO there was moth
Ing for me now but to remain content
bdly on board the Eugenie. which was
bound for Matanzas with solid cargo
pf steam machinery and coal.
The master had no doubt of getting
return freight direct for London;
thus six or eight months might elapsc
before could return to Erlesmere.
| gradually became reconciled to the
novelty of my situation; looked for
ward hopefully to the time when the
borrow of those had left behind would
be alleviated, and began to enjoy TO
the utmost the prospect of voyage In
b spanking brig to the shores of Cuba.
CHAPTER v.
The Voyage to Cuba.
I resolved not to be an idler or lob