Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-06-01
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE SHELL OF THE DINGY.

Never was my love of life or the GER
tainty of my saving it greater than when l
shot beneath the surface of the ocean. Like
a plummet 1 went down, the air bubbles l
carried with me roaring in my ears like a
cataract. As I lost the impetus of the dive
/ turned and looked up. Having gone over
at the starboard quarter, was almost under
the stern, and the clear green of the water
magnifed the great shadowy hull of the
schooner as she stretched forward into
seeming infnity. Like blot on the sill
very surface above me lay the overturned
dingy, still held to the vessel by is painter,
and in her lay my salvation.
With few vigorous strokes I SWAN I'M
der it, and, regulating my rise as best
could, came to the surface within the shell
of the wrecked boat. The move had been
successful. If the trick was unsupported,
was safe. Letting go my pent breath in a
blast, 1 thanked God for His sudden inter
vention, and prayed that His hand be not re-
moved from me.
Settled low as was the overturned dingy,
my head barely cleared her bottom, but that
was sufficient Sustaining my position by
light hold on the thwart, that my weight
should not prevent the regular and natural
roll of the wreck, with nerves now tuned to
their highest pitch, I hung and awaited de-
velopments. The hole in the boats bottom
furnished me with air, and, to my astonish-
ment, this vent in the hollow which
sheltered me gave to my retreat the char
acter of a trumpet, and every sound was
magnifed, though it's quality was changed
to the deep sonorous roar such as one hears
come from the heart of conch held to the
car. It was indistinct babble of cries and
oaths that first greeted me, and from the
few words could disentangle guessed that
the whole host had rushed to theschooner's
side in the hope that I would rise. Had
still courted death, might easily have met
it'll it by means of bullet through my
head, for through the confused humming
OF voices distinctly heard the sharp click
ing of gunlocks, and knew that had 1 APP
peared l would have been made targetfor
a score of muskets.
The sound of voices decreased as the mo-
ments flew, and when at last it seemed GER
tain that I had gone to the bottom, there
came a general awakening, and sharp or
Ger was given to search the hull, strike the
flag, and hoist the British ensign. The
clicking Of boot heels and the rafting of
arms were more distinct than words, but
the marines had barely scattered to obey the
| last commands when, above all else, I heard
| an unknown voice:
Overhaul that carrion, and then pitch it
| overboard!"
my poor friend, but before could realize
| the necessity of the order thus brutishly
| gwen, as clear as the order itself rose the
voice of Scammell:
Look, look, Belden! Damn me, but I
thought 1 had brought down buzzard in
missing the hawk, when, after all, have
struck but peg lower than Thorndyke him
| self! By the crime ef Judas, / wish it had
been the other way! If this young, old
| broad-brim be not Beverly Ames, I'll lose
| Fifty pounds TO any one of you! Quick, man!
| See, he is not dead! Fore God, but mayhap
| be can yet give us some news of his slater!
| Overheard he goes not! Dead or alive, he
must be taken to Clinton, else your COM
mission is in danger! Know you not that
| ne is connected with Mrs. Badely? Send off
| for help! Is not that long legged Irishman
| yet aboard your"
| Here number of voices joined in and
| turned to confused roar all words at once
| fellowing. In the space of few minutes
heard boat putting away from the side, the
| thud of oars in the water making jar on my
car drums almost painful. For a time there
| reigned comparative silence, and then came
| what was doubtless a marines report.
1.-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
| deRtly 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 routei Where's the
| third?"
There was no third" came the sharp
response. 1.-TWO it was that smothered US
below. I know of none other! no more does
I.ounsbury."
| .'Nay," said that worthy, speaking for
the first time, and with thick burr to his
| speech, there was never more than four
| 11% Ia
h.sself 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 hIln-
self to the one who was in authority on
/, board:
/ CHOW take it, leftenant. that by rights
| this craft is mine"
| yours, We toasted mug!"' demanded the
unknown voice. ''Whet mean YEP"
| "Ay, only be right o prize, / mean" was
| the answer. "'Twas who first laid hand
on her, an got split skull for my pains,
| an not damn sovereign to help heal il,
reither SO much glory as shines from the
buttons o. yer coat. Prize be cussed! Now,
| il yer capting wills to let me take her into
cort-as / came nigh doing awhile agone-
twill go far to put me right with the adj
\ miraHy an get me a job, mayhap, like that
lost through Thorndyke takin' my name,
damn his soul! Dye sees"
| 'sAy, / see, We sweep! And is that all?
/ No prize money!"
Gay. all. all. Only to sail her home; no
rlore." g
/ No more, Ell? Ye are cursed deep
villain, but I'll touch the captain on it. Go
get the CRIME from your face and look less
like toad. Had he seen you, twas no
wonder Thorndyke launched himself over
The rail. What now, Scammell? Does the