The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-01-11
CHAPTER III.
a voLuNrARY pRIsoNER.


Darkness was well settled on the sea.
though there still hung faint, bot glow
ia the west whcn had iinis4ed my business
on the Sprite.
D1uins the haleiul eye Of Scammcll, there
lad been nothing to mar the proceedings In
making a report in harmony with my story.
The dragons silence and steady gaze were
a triiC disconeerting, and the knowledge Of
the captured black ,who had been conveyed
70 the Spritel, coupled with the feeling that
LouBshsry might return 10 his senses and
spring a mine beneath me, served to keep
my nerves at a tension which became wel.
nigh unbeatable.
There had been a number in the elegant
cabin. but Of them wot uot. save that iaast
Of them got hot with liquor. For a sight of
had been taken, even the captain having his
judgment crossed and his jolli,y increased
by constant recourse to the bottle
And here let me say that. tn MY poor
opinion, both the length aud cruelty Of the
war were helped more than a little by this
neter-cndine taking aboard Of Dutch couf.
age Had It made men battle in proportion
to their Boosting. 'twould have served some
proper end, bat J never found that could
fighi better with eyes and wits tangled with
liquor, and, in fact, though ! preach not.
never touched Il when in trouble save as on
this occasion TO keep up appearance
And even on this occasion / had stili the
upper hand Of what | drank, and noticed
that SCammell WIS nursing himself as well
hut. aside from we two. 'twas a noisy crowd
that tumbled 10 the deck TO rec me back to
the Phantom.
had made myself mighty popular duung
my sh1r. stay aboard. a change Of bcrths
Tad been offered me, but hHl small notion
Of leaving my own craft with 10 hidden
cargo. though ! put 1t on the ground of for,
letting prize money II | deserted her. A
crew Of Eve men were given me iv'hich
would make q Fmall claim for salvage in "a.
NOR oi the SpritCl and now. with the doe
tor, who was TO give a hand g. Bounshury
stood by the side while laying small
wager on the race TO New York
] had little hcart 10 the laugh aud last
kandshakc to The rest, aud was about put
ting foot on the SIDE steps 70 pas 90 the
boat that was swinging high and low on the
running seas, when riy attention was caught
by the face Of a grl who rose through the
companion and stood startliLgly clear
ngsinst the black background Of the night
rnd brought out every detail OF her features
Il was hut the face and bust saw. the open
door cutting of the lower part Of her figure,
hut twas the face Of an angel, and for an in
slant forgot TO move. looking at he's as
would at beautiful picture.
And picture she made as she stood there
turned toward us. High breeding showed in
the delicate contour Of chin and check, dark
eyes and clearly cut straight nose. but twas
the small mouth with It's tine red lips iall
open az though IN inquiry that bald ne by
It's sweetness, while the mass Of apiIrn hair
dressed high. as was the fashion Of the times,
gave touch Of perfection to Der counte
uanec.
The yision-ior twas more akin to
vision than rcali,y-lasted bus a breath, TOT
Scammell thrust his form bctwixt u.s. ard
made rapid steps toward the companion
way, while |, with hand wave 10 the Others,
joined the doctor in the boat.
The surgeon, tall, Faw.boned freshman.
afflicted with a strong Aftef-dinncr hic
cough and desire 10 talk, settled back 10
the stern sheets, and voluntarily fell into an
explanation OF a lady being on board the
Spritr.
AN ye know not Mrs. Badely, Sir Henry,
l,ght-o'lo It's shame that king of
GERS be made TO dance attendance to that
Tx. Her ward seems TO be o. different clay,
though A bonny lass she il. an n lonely
one, having no great love for her giiardian,
rs tbs plain to see, an few 10 turn word
with, saving Scanned Did Sc mark the
way he sid TO her when shc lifted o'et tho
hatch! It's in ms mind he's iealc..= :, . iiire
deck her foot iighta on, an he hangs about
her Ike hrooding hen. Twas a sorry move
Sir Henry made when he lit on him for
guard o honor to Mrs. BadeIy and Gertrude
King. Dad for him, mean. since It's PLAIN
he's struek between wind and water by The
lass, though, in my mind she'll havs litsr
tt do with the Ikea o him after setting ssos
sshorc"
From thia and other rambling talk aath
cred thai the Sprite was taking two ladies
from Philadelphia 10 New York ladies lrirh
ir favor with Gen. Clinton,-aud that one d
them, Ass. Aadely. was the famous besnl,
e whon the doughty knight Had given BIZ
heart without the honorable acronnanisnent
Of his hand and uame. iIrr notosie,y lad
even spread beyond the British lines, and
much Of the opportune inactivity Of ,h- enc.
my was explained a. dis 80 the fascination
n his mistress and The inability az the csa..
Hander to withdraw from Der influence Eas
take the field
Iro nr CONTINUED.