The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-07-10

phrasel' and with nearly all her can.
She was about four miles off tho roo,
a. 'ne entrance Of the bay. and was
bearing directly toward it. Her can.
vas gilmmered like snow in the moon.
SHINE, and we could see the red ugbts
OF her cabin windows fash at times
upon the sea astern, and the whltenesg
OF her long flush deck, as she careened
before the breeze.
Yet how was it, we all asked that
there was not breath Of wind with
us?
Perhaps she brings it with her"
suggested Hislop.
And how it came to pass that she
appeared right in the oning and out.
side the bay all at once?" asked Tom
Lambourne.
"She must have rounded the high
bluff while we were all paIayerlng"
said Probart.
Nothing more was said for time
but whether It was the effect OF lmag.
nation or Of an oyerstrained eyesight
know not, she seemed to melt as it
were in the brightness Of the moon
shine-to become so indistinet that we
could sec the line OF the horizon
through her topsails; and next it
seemed as if her hull, her spars and
rigging were edged with bright prls-
matte hues.
It s impossible for me to describe
the blank astonishment, or rather the
intense CONSERVATION, of our men on
the disappearance Of this vessel, which
was the object OF so many hopes and
wishes.
Some time elapsed before the poor
fellows rallied sufficiently to speak on
the subject; and meanwhile, there
flashed upon my memory some strange
and weird old Celtic tales. which a
Highland boy at Eton was wont to
tell us. Of ships which in the days Of
Ossian trayersed the steep hills and the
salt lochs of Morven with equal ia
cility.
1T is a ship-or rather the repre-
sentatlon OF a verltable ship-which
cannot be far off the island. and is
making for it at this moment" said
Hislop. emphatically.
How far do you think she is, sir?"
asked Hugh Shute. mockingly.
Perhaps twenty miles-perhaps a
hundred-it is impossible to say"
So thoroughly we're our companions
scared by the recent spectral appear
ance. which they connected in some
way with the dreadful character of
Antonio ell Cubano, that they at once
commenced with alacrity the prepare
lions for putting to sea.
1t may be that somewhat Of the pro-
fessional restlessness of sailors con-
irmed their resolution.
They were already tired of their so
journ on the island, and, inspired by
the desire Of reaching Tristan da Cum
ha. which is inhabited by about eighty
families OF Portuguese. English and
mulattoes. among whom Hislop as
sursd them they might linger long
enough before they were taken off by
a passing ship-quite as long as If they
remained on the Isle of Alphonso-and
where for subsistence they would be
forced to work as day laborers in the
savannas and on the highways.
AS for the Island Of Diego Alvarez
our Scotch mate, who seemed to know
everything. assured them that 1t pro-
duced only moss and sea grass, and
that if cast there they would die OF
starvation. Moreover, without chart
or compass, how could they hope to
steer with certainty in any direction!
They all might perish in detail by
the most dreadful deaths in their open
boat. gasping with unQuenched thirst
under the blaze of tropical sun lie
said much more; but they would listen
10 nothing save their own fears and
restless impulses.
too. was weary Of the island; and
though feeling all the dependency
that follows a severe disappointment
on the disappearance of the illusory
shin. I in no way shared the wild and
u-regulated wishes of the crew,
though assured that l would be com
pelled to follow their desperate for
tunes.
Hislop and I still fingered; so we
were told peremptorily that II we ala
not come on board at once they would
shove off without us. Thus compelled.
we stepped in most reluctantly ana
seated ourselves in the stern, and ne
assumed the tiller. The oars were run
through the rowlocks, and Lambourne
was about to shove off, when Prooart'
who had the bow oar, suddenly re-
membered that he had left his hatche'
near our wigwam. and asked me "
get it. ,o.d-
Jumped ashore, and was proceea-
ING along the beach for it. when suu-
denly was confronted by Antonio'
who from a thicket had been WA'0"
ing our operations and departure
His tawney skin-for he was naS ,',a
20 tba waist-his ferocious aspect MS
head Of matted hair, his colossal
strength and atrocious character w err
not without due effect upon 'A'
boats crew at this crisis .Ov.
"shoye off-shove OFF, l hearu ss.
eral voices cry in the boat n'''