Willmar tribune., 1899-09-27

following. In the space of few minutes l
heard boat putting away from the side, the
thud of oars in the water making jar on my
car drums almost painful. For time there
reigned comparative silence, and then came
what was doubtless a marines report.
''The hold is clear of all life, sir. Nawthin'
hut lead below, an cabin an forec'sle all
cleaned out barrin' some arms an the cap
tain's old clothes.''
FLOWS this, Scammell?" said Belden, evil
IDENTIFY turning to that officer. eve saw
three men aboard, and but two are ac-
counted for. Thorndyke has gone to hell
ever the side, and this lad of yours is like to
join him by another route! Where's the
third?"
"There was no third" came the sharp
response. 1.-TWO it was that smothered us
below. know of none other! no more does
I4ounsbury."
May" said that worthy, speaking for
the first time, and with thick burr to his
speech, there was never more than four
legs to the lot. Mayhap that giant split
hsself in two for the sake O looks-there
was enough O. him. Thank God for his loss
l would ne'er sleep easy again KNOWN him
alive'
Here words fell to murmur until Louns-
bury again spoke, evidently addressing him.
self to the one who was in authority on
board:
NOW take it, leftenant, that by rights
this craft is mine"
"Yours, ye toasted mug!" demanded the
unknown voice. "What mean ye?"
"Ay, only be right O prize, l mean," was
the answer. "'Twas who first laid hand
on her, an got a split skull for my pains,
an not damn sovereign to help heal it,
Eeither so much glory as shines from the
buttons O yer coat. Prize be cussed! Now,
If yer capting wills to let me take her into
rort-as 1 came nigh doing awhile agone-
twill go far to put Inc right with the ad
mira!ty an get me job, mayhap, like that
lost through Thorndyke uakin' my name,
damn his soul Dye see?"
"Ay, I see, ye sweep! And is that all
No prize money!
"Ay, all, ALL Only to sail her home; nc
rlore."
mo more, eh? Ye are a cursed deep
villain, but III touch the captain on it. &C
get the CRIME from your face and look less
like toad. Had he seen you, twas NO
wcnder Thorndyke launched himself over
tie rail. What now, Scammell? Does the
lad still live?"
"He lives, indeed" was the answer, "but
whether or no he will bide long I cannot
say. He was better on deck than he is be.
low. The cabin still stinks. hope twill
lot be forever before the doctor. gets here
Was he drunk at mess? It is possible he car
hold the lads life long enough to allow him
to speak; he does little now but moan"
At this the two walked forward, and
heard nothing but the coarse voices of the
| marines as they sang out to one another o,
laughed uncouthly.
The knowledge that Ames still lived gave
! ME a quick sense of relief-a relief which
:; fled on the instant as I thought of the prob
able future in store for him. My own posi-
ton was infinitely better than his, even were
he not suffering from wound, and, as fo,
his sister, after all was done, was she not
better off than either! But was she dead
II not, what could have become of her?
had heard that the vessel had been searched
without finding trace of the third party
to whom Belden had referred. On seeing all
was lost, was it possible that she had thrown
herself overheard that she might not wit
| ress her brothers tragic end? It was like
her. It would have been an act showing
ber strength of character, as well as the
weakness of her sex; a natural recoil from
physical and mental suffering without ,
purpose; heroic self-sacrifce. 1t were a:
we'll she had not suffered captivity and
long-drawn misery. With her brother Al
deaths door, or perhaps saved to die by
military law; her property confscated, with
cut q home or relatives and at the mercy ol
Clinton's heartless mistress, life would havl
held no more for her than the doubtful ben
eft Of mere existence in confinement for q
J indefinite period. :5#5