Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-05-12


intoleraEle glare upon the water. ana
little past eight bells we had dinner,
ard to this the senorita anne, driven
out also, think. by the heat, and look
ing detected as well as weary. She ate
scarce anything, and when l would
have given her a word OF cheer she
made a motion to stay me, and her eyes
filled with tears.
I perceived that l had best let her
alone, trusting to time to mend her
state, and so nodded kindly and turned
away.
At last the long afternoon declined.
The plain reds of the quick tropic sun
set showed in the west. and the breeze
dropped to light stir. We made the
ordinary preparations for the night,
and at eight OF the clock Mr.. Tym
sat down to the tiller. Upon little
thought we had decided to have no
more than two watches, the first con-
'tinuing to four bells and the other,
or morning watch, to eight bells. By
| this plan the two who stood the
watches would have each six hours
below and the others the full night.
On this occasion it was arranged that
the captain was to succeed Mr.. lynn.
Toward noon the next day the
wind showed signs of failing,
but as yet we managed to creep
along. AS the sun got higher !
contrived little tilt for the senorita,
making it of cloaks, and this she thank
fully slipped under. giving me a sweet
me for my pains.
We had dinner, and about two of the
clock l relieved Mac Ivrach Mt the
helm. I did not think to fetch any
scrutiny about, as I sat down. but the
Scotchman, as lie was stepping away.
flung a glance to windward. At once
I saw him stop and take a steadfast
look
rs aught in sight?" l asked, curl
ously and a bit apprehensively.
Aye" he said, with little hesita-
ton, Il wad be thinking, a sail"
l sprang up at that. getting the full
range of his observation. Truly
| CnouS5I, INV w" IL III lAiS iioi ~ " 40 -
dim white speck.
| fetched long, careful look, and
was Immediately of his mind. The
shape, though small, was clear cut and
steadfast. and could be nothing else
than the canvas of u ship.
Mr. lynn and the captain were for
ward in the shade of the sail, but now,
either perceiving or hearing us, rose
and took look for themselves, and i'm
mediately came aft.
You think it suspicious to raise a
sail in that quarter"' ! said to the
captain. l spoke guardedly, fearing
to alarm the senorita.
aye" he answered in the same key;
sit is all odds that she comes from
Panama"
SIS it as far wrong as that?" I eX-
claimed, starting. Il was suspicious OF
her direction, but no more. But. pray
are you quite persuaded of this? For
instance, may she not hail from sol.e
port farther north?"
II cannot figure it So" said Sellin-
ger, shaking his head. "We have but
just cleared the bay, and this sail fetch
es fair out of it. There is no port in
that quarter save Panama"
"And she is clearly too large for one
of the little native fishermen" put in
Mr.. lynn.
He seemed to speak with his usual
GOODNESS, but with face grave for
I him.
at will no be lang before we shall be
sure of her." said Mac Ivrach, who was
looking hard at the speck. "We are
raising her fast"
This was indeed evident, as l saw
by another glance.
'Wcll, we can watch her for bit
them" said Seilinger, but with no
abatement Of his soberness. "At least
we can be sure whether she is full ON
our course"
We let fall the talk accordingly, and
all stood up, with our eyes on the com
| ing sail.
''She is at least bound straight tor
u.s." said Sellinger at last. "Doubtlnss
her fellows have a glass with which
they have made US out. My suspicious
are more and more confirmed.'
81 think you are right" l said, re
luctantly, "and since But what is
ths?" I broke off abruptly. Sly
! heavensn'
I cried out in this fashion because
the mainsheet which / had all the
time held with Il turn round my hand,
of sudden grew slack, and on looking
| back I found the sail waving and fall
! ing into folds. In our close watch of
the ship we had neglected the wind.
which had first slowly declined and
now was evidently on the point of
failing altogether.
My companion instantly caught my
meaning.
| 'Aye. that changes matters" said
Sellinger, with IA Hndling eye. "See,
the ship begins to lag already"
"There is hope" said Mr.. lynn, calm
! ly. "She viii have to send boat. and
| that, if we cannot run away from, we
can fight"
81 think we should do BOTH" said
! Sellinger, with one more look. "Ihe
! ship we want to leave as far behind as
we can, and the other will come when
| we are overtaker. Let us lower the
sail and get out the sweeps"
He helped carry out his own sugges-
ton. and the gafF was quickly down on
! the boom and he and Mac Ivrach seat
| ed a the oars.
'.Starbcard: We will lay for the
coast" he called to me.
"Starboard it is. sir" I cried, heart
liz, and almost cheerfuIlv.