Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-04-21

foretopmast, and With three mem he could
face of our being short-handed, the idea is
not bad if the villain can be trusted"
Hell scarce run off with the schooner"
answered Belden, "and lead is no tempta-
ton, though I'd be shy Of trusting him with
anything more valuable. I know him of
CID He was ecavenger to Clinton, and to
Howe before him. Here, Lad, cut away that
painter"
The last words were an order probably
given to sailor, for presently heard the
splash of the severed line. At the same
moment boat swept by, and from the few
words could gather guessed the Irish sur
geon had arrived and gone aboard.
After that more boats passed and re-
passed as time dragged on, and finally the
bulk of the vessels captors returned to their
own schooner, for, saving now and then
the sound of single man tramping the
deck, the stiffness was unbroken.
1t was with mighty satisfaction that had
heard the final order to cut the tie binding
my refuge to the schooner. / gave no
thought to what might come Of my being
adrift on the broad ocean. Beyond each
moment as it came and went l seemed to
have no interest. The future was blank,
nor need consider it so long as the wind
| held off, for in the calm the dingy and
schooner would not part company, and un-
| til darkness fell would be compelled to
remain in my present pinched quarters.
Hooded as I was, up to the present my
hearing had been my only sense brought.into
play, but with the departure of the last boat
load of men used my eyes for the first time.
The interior of the shelter under which
hung was lighted almost entirely from be-
low, and delicate greenish-blue tint played
over the planks and ribs of the wreck
Shielded from direct light overhead, the
shell gave all the effects of water telescope,
for, on turning my eyes downward, my
sight pierced the ocean for fathom after
fathom, the color of the depths growing
from the most tender blue to q clear and
then dark green, showing me that the bot
tom lay beyond vision and far below. 1t was
only by turning to the hole in the keel that
l could guess the hour, nor was it long be-
| fore the sun had. set and darkness came on
apace. By the natural attraction of float
ing bodies, the boat had drawn near the
schooner, and, as they struck and crunched
together, heard the voice of the surgeon as
he left the cabin and came on deck
"Well, by the powers, | suppose must
obey orders. If the boy is moved, he dies
that's fat-an' by me soul, he may go, spite
O. me skill! I must bide here the night
aust 1? Ay, we'll; send aboard couple'o
bottles, Belden, or, by the piper, I'll mutiny
Why should dirty rebel be worth more
than our men? Is Scammell to bide with
mel"
mo-" answered Belden; "he's sent for by
the captain. I'll fix the liquor, McCary
Now, Mr.. Lounsbury, you have heard YOU
instructions. Follow us as soon as the vino
rises; you will have it ere long-the glass
Las fallen. We will stand near you. Are
YOU ready, Scammell?"
There was suppressed conversation after
this, and then another boat put away. In
perhaps an hour it returned and was hoist
cd to the davits, and then again there was
silence-a deep, brooding silence, such as j.
only known in a night calm on the sea.
To be continued