The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-02

fradl with dense feathering of the black
stencil from the flares; the burning pic
ture vanished out astern, as though to
the fall Of a curtain of midnight hue. the
sounds of shouting sank, and in the hush
that fell upon the York's deck nothing
was to be heard but the dreary lamenta-
tions Of broken water under the bows.
and the weeping noise Of eddies under
the counter
"A close shave" said Capt. Layard,
fetching a deep breath. "She has not
hurt US, I think"
II saw man fall as If stabbed
said Hardy.
Back the topsail! I'll keep the ship
hove to till we can see," exclaimed the
captain, whose attention, concentrated by
the sudden blackness into which the ship
had foated, was wholly in the maneuver
he had commanded.
The order was sung out, the sailors
came cropping their way aft to the main
braces, the yards were swung, and the
Ship was brought to a stand, lightly
rolling her masts with a slap of hidden
pinion, which made you think Of some
gigantic navy signal man waving flags
My noble dog has saved my ship,'
exclaimed the captain. "I ann a remark
able mani" And, to use a Paddyism.
Hardy could hear in the skipper's speech
the expression of exaltation which his
face did undoubtedly wear The skin
per Wh1stled, and in a few moments felt
the snout of the fine black creature press
ing lovingly again his thigh.
Come along below said he passing
his hand caressingly along the invisible
feathers of the dogs back, It'll 1 dry
you and see how you look and we'll take
peep at Johnny" And he and the dog
vanished
Just at that moment eight bells were
struck. 1t was midnight, and the star
board watch must tend the ship till a.
Whilst the last chimes were trembling
into the damp, depressing, Tapping
sounds which clothed the obscure heights,
the chief mate was hailed by a man
whose voice proceeded from abreast of
the gangway. Hardy stepped to the com
panion where the sheen lay and exclaim-
ed: ''I am here" AT the same moment
Mr.. Candy came out of the companion
and joined him. Before one could ad-
dress the other three figures entered the
space of faint, saturated light.
Heres man. said one of them.
that's jumped aboard us off the baruue.
He come up to me and asked to see the
e1R5,Rjl'. HWRblob is III. MANI, said H.r,,,
straining his sight
One of them said, IT am, mister.
am French. And then in French he
asked if Hardy spoke that tongue
mo-" answered Hardy. Come below
into the cabin to the captain
And after few words with Mr.. Candy,
who heard now for the first time that
they had nearly been run into by a tall
French barQue, he went down the cabin
steps, followed by the Frenchman.
In this interior plenty of light was
shining, and it was as noontide after the
midnight OF the deck The captain was
near the table drying the dog with a
cloth and talking TO him, and praising
him as though he were a man, and the
creatures mild and benevolent eyes look
ed up into his face, and you read graft
tude and affection in the noble brute
"Who's that?" said the captain, throw
ing the cloth down and looking with
knitted brow at the Frenchman.
He will explain, SIR Hardy answered.
Softly" exclaimed the captain, IAN
angel lies asleep in that cabin" and with
a melodramatic flourish of his arm he
pointed to the door of his berth.
The Frenchman looked at Hardy. He
was a man of middle height In drill or
thin canvas blouse, over which was but
toned at the throat a rough, old jacket,
the sleeves hanging loose. He wore blue
trousers patched with black, stuffed into
half-boots bronZed by wear and brine
His black hair curled upon his shoulders
and he held cap fashioned out Of some
sort Of skin. His face was a ghostly
yellow; his lips vivid red; his nose long
lean and bumped, and the black pupils
of his eyes sparkled In the flashes OF the
swinging lamp amid their whites, which,
by the way, were crimson with drink or
gout. or both. 1t was a face to peer at
YOU. malevolently, from a tlme-darkened
canvas, very picturesque, very romantic,
but something that you would not like
to think was treading behind you on a
lonely road.
"Who are you9" said the captain, put