Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-24
; DICK RODNEY;
Or, The Adventures of
An Elton Boy.
BY JAMES GRANT.
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.)
RY JAMES GRANT.

On perceiving that l was awake, a
hand bell was rung by the captain, and
hot coffee, accompanied by the last
slice of shore-b bread that remained, was
brought to me by Billy, the cabinbo
and then, after time was requested
to state what craft that was from
which | had been taken. my name, and
so forth, that Mr.. Hislop might enter
all the particulars among the re
marks" in his log-book
| 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
smile, as he threw the end of his che
root into the empty CRATE
"The open sea-still the open sea-"
reiterated with dismay, which | cared
not to conceal
Yes; We saw the last glimpse of the
rugged 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 it bear?''
About twelve miles off. on the
weather quarter"
How shall | return home?"
They both laughed as | despairingly
made this inquiry
by the way you left it. l suppose:
that is by water said Capt. Weston.
You spoke of the Start; what is
that"
a cape of the Channel, on the
southeast coast of DevOnshire. about
nine miles to the southwark Of Dart
mouth. he replied. while casting a cas-
nal glance a q Chart which lay on the
table
l had thus before being rescued so
prOvidentialiv. drifted more than a
hundred miles from Erlesmere. and it
was marvellous that the schooner had
fiOated so far unseen.
We'll, what is to be done now?"
asked the captain. We are bound for
the West Indies, but we may put YOU
aboard the first craft that passes us,
homeward bound; or you are free to
remain If We cannot do better for
YOU
| thought OF my mother. my father,
my two sisters; and my heart was so
full of gratitude 10 heaven for preserv-
ing me TO the end, that | might see
and embrace them all again. that had
TO words 10 reply. After time / ex
claimed:
Home, home.-let me go home to
Erlesmere. weeping as | spoke. for
the thought of them all made ME a very
child again.
The captain and mate exchanged
glances of inquiry.
Its no use piping your eye now. my
lad said the former. coming toward
my berth; but answer me quietly. You
said that your name was Rodney"
YES"
"And you spoke Of Erlesmere; are
you a son OF old DR.. Rodney, the rec
tOr?'
do you know my father, them" l
exclaimed
Cant say exactly that ] have the
honor of being known TO him: but 1
know of him. right well. Why. Master
Rodney. l have sailed your uncle's
ships many time, and know his
gloomy old office in the city, as we'll
as the buoy at the More; so YOU are as
safe and as welcome aboard the Eu-
genie as if in the old rectory house at
home"
This was pleasant Intelligence, at all
events; but my earnest desire was to
return-a design which was not fated
to be speedily gratified.
For several days We passed only out
ward-bound vessels, or others which
were at such distance that the task
of signaling and speaking with them
would have delayed the Eugene longer
than Capt. Weston could risk. Two
that passed near us, when We showed
our ensign, replied by displaying the
tricOlOr of France or the red and yell
low bars of Spain; so there was moth
ing for me now but to remain content
eddy on board the Eugene. which was
bound for MatanZas with a solid cargo
of steam machinery and coal.
The master had no doubt of getting
a return freight direct for London;
thus six or eight months might elapse
before l could return to Erlesmere
/ gradually became reconciled to the
novelty of my situation: | looked for
ward hopefully TO the time when the
sorrow of those had left behind would
be alleviated, and began to enjoy TO
the utmost the prospect of voyage in
a spanking brig to the shores of Cuba
CHAPTER V.
The Voyage to Cuba.