Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-07-28

tined, in spite of all, to triumph
these mingled impressions confused
me and held the words back on my
lips.
But all was the business of an in
slant, and by that time Mr.. lynn was at
nv elbow. He had made out the vii
lain. though it seemed he had not
caught the exact purport of the in
quiry. He drew himself up sternly and
looked the fellow in the face.
What may be your question, sir {?
trust it may be such that the answer
can be brief
NAY" he answered, leisurely, "your
manner is bit stiff and unfriendly.
Best take some further consideration,
and then we will discourse. Meanwhile
you have wants that shall be attended
to. We can fit you and Master Ardick,
here, as well as this good fellow, with
drier clothes than you have. Lieut..
Phibbert!"
A big fellow in steel headpiece and
body armor. but otherwise in ordinary
sea habit pushed out of the crowd.
Have these people below. Bestow
this one in the vacant berth off the
cabin, and find the others hunks in
the steerage. Ask Lieut.. Niles for a
shift for this gentleman opine they
are near the same bigness-and have
the slop chest overhauled for Master
Ardick and the other. In TRUTH he
concluded, with cold grin, 1--WE do our
calling no discredit in bestowing this
hospitality, for l can aver that these
two. at least, are rare fighting men!"
Mr.. lynn pulled out his lips and
sucked them back. as his habit was
when perpiexed or in thought, and
after a glance at me, answered.:
''Speaking for myself. would choose
to have as little as possible between us;
yet I acknowledge that we are not
wholly in case to refuse your offers.
Let our absolute needs be met, then,
since it must be SO, but ask us not
/ am sure 1 speak for Master Ardick
as well as for myself-aSk US not to
exchange more than the strictest need
of words with you. Further, ] refuse
your offer of the cabin, and would be
sent forward with my friends"
BE it so; 1 care not how you have
it. Go where you wish, and be as mum
as you like. l make but the one condi
tion-you and the others shall blab
nothing of old matters. At later
time I will send for YOU"
''Well," said Mr.. lynn, eve ere con-
formable to that, are we not, friends?"
Both Mac Ivrach and I assented.
Get refreshments. then" said
Pradey, turning away, land at a proper
season you shall be summoned"
We followed on dripping in the wake
of the lieutenant, and were had down
hn nil 70 Ioi " fur iSho n
cabin.
"Stand by and I will see what
can be found to thaw the cookies" said
the lieutenant.
He fetched us to the table and took
from a locker hard by a hospitable-
looking black bottle. Glasses were in
the rack overhead, and he filled four
and babe us toss off. 1t proved to be
very good sack. and was most accept
able, chilled and weary as we were.
The lieutenant kept us company. and.
when we had all emptied a second of
the small glasses, he opened the low
door leading into the 'tween-decks. and
piloted US alongto the steerage. AS the
ship carried no cargo, all this space
was given up to sleeping accommoda-
tions, but in truth there was no room
to spare, as the company was so great.
The lieutenant, who, like most big,
fleshy men, seemed rather good-na-
.tured, and who might have been made
more so by the wine. babe us find
places and make ourselves at home. and
withdrew to hunt up the clothes. These
came in due time, not ill-ftting sea rigs,
but better than we expected. Mr.. Tym's,
in particular, very trim and decent.
While we were shifting, we re-
lieved Mac Ivrach's curiosity by telling
him into whose hands we had fallen.
After concluding, we all agreed that we
could do no more now than to conduct
ourselves quietly, treating the bucca-
neers in a civil manner, and beyond
that must wait for Pradey's disclosure.
What that might be we haZarded some
guesses about, but, of course, could re-
solve nothing certain.
We did not specially avoid Pradey,
and, indeed, secretly hoped that he
would be out with his communication.
so that we could tell what to depend
upon, but somewhat to our disappoint-
ment he made no sign. We talked
little. but guardedly, with the crew,
explaining briefly, in answer to their
questions. how our adventure oc-
Cured. but going into nothing of mo-
ment.
The rest of the afternoon passed,
| and at supper time there was no i'm
portant change in the situation. The
Black Eagle, as our ship was named,
very nearly held her own, but carry
ing fully as much canvas forward as
the present wind and her weak,
patched-up mast warranted. Supper
was served both below and on deck,
and we chose ours in the latter place,
our mess tub being shared in common
| with an Englishman, two Swedes and a
| negro.