The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-05-22
DICK RODNEY;
Or. The Adventures of
An Eton Boy.
{ BY JAMES GRANT.
&C
CHAPTER XX.-lContlnnedl
BY JAMES GRANT.

He took us so suddenly by surprise,
that, although we had been waiting
and watching for him since dawn, his
resolute aspect and tho arms he WELD
ed controlled us all, and we stared at
each other with irresolution in our
purpose and in our faces No man,
apparently, cared to act as our leader.
"Presto!" reared the Cubano; "obey
and keep quiet, or demonioi as there
are so many, l have a great mind to
shoot one-half, that may control the
rest. Cast loose those top-sails, and
up with the royals again-set the fly
ing-gib and main trysail-quick, per-
fos, or I'll make sharks meat of some
more Of you'll"
The crew seemed to lack either res
olution or the power of combination,
and no man appeared anxious to in
eur the sure penalty of instant death
by acting in opposition to his peremp-
tory orders in setting an example to
the rest. So, sullenly and silently the
sail trimmers stood by the tacks and
braces; the wheel revolyed in the un-
willing hands Of Ned Carlton, who was
compelled to obey, for the cold muzzle
Of slx-baEreled revolver, capped and
cooked, was held close to his left tenn
pie.
The head of the Eugene payed off
in obedience to her helm, the yards
cta 70 ~,
up; and with the starboard tacks on
board, in three minutes we were steer
ing as due westward as her head would
lie for the coast Of South America.
The alteration of our course fur
nished the crew with new source of
speculation. 1t was evidently the In
tention of Antonio, if he could reach
the coast of Seguro or that of Bahia,
to escape with all his valuables and
his vengeance; and to this end, If
ships passed without succoring OF
overhauling US, and if we did not de-
stroy him, he might certainly destroy
us, by scuttling the brig, or setting her
on fire.
The noon passed over without an
observation" for there was no one to
work it, to estimate the latitude or
longitude, to keep reckoning, or take
note of our variation and leeway; and
lest we should signal any passing ship,
/ Antonio, who was a most thoughful
scoundrel, threw every color over
board. He did not come on deck again
for some time, as he had plenty oil
/ spirits and provisions below, and the
tell-tale compass in the skylight af-
forded him constant information as to
whether the brig was steered In the
direction he wished.
He was constantly drinking, bal
never became so intoxicated as to be
unwary.
And so the fated brig glided over the
hot sea. under the blazing sun. The
slbatrosses came round US again, will
tripping feet, tapping wings and oper
bills; but NO one molested them now
we had other things to think Of;
and as sat on the anchor stock in the
weather bow, watching them floating
in the water, or sk1mmlng over Il
with their vast wings outspread,
thought of the Ancient Mariner" anc
all that he had suffered for killing the
bird of good omen"
I felt a strange dread creeping ovel
me while these verses seemed on my
tongue-they were so descriptive o.
the atmosphere and of the situation:
"AH in a hot and copper sky,
The bloody sun at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the moon.
81 closed my lids. and kept them close
And the balls like pulses beat.
For the sea and sky, and the sea ant
sky,
Lay like a load on my weary eye,
And the dead were at my feet"