The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-05-29
DICK RODNEY;
Or. The Adventures of
An Eton Boy.
BY JAMES GRANT.

BY JAMES GRANT.

crisis was now az hand with our Gu
bano.
The evening Of the fourth day after
we had saved Hyalop found the brig
sun lying On a westerly course; but
whether in the latitude Of Cape San
Rogue or Of the Rio Grande, we knew
not; and. suppose, it was all the same
to Antonio.
/ was at the wheel The sunset was
gorgeously beautiful The Eugene was
running with both tacks aft; and IN
der the arched leech Of her Courses 1
could see the blood-red disk Of the
sun right ahead settling In the waves,
which shone il ali the colors Of the
dying dolphin; while against the fam
ing orb the black outline Of the masts,
the fgure-head and the taper end Of the
jibboom, with its cap. guys and gear,
were clearly and distinctly defined.
The waves ahead rose and fell be-
tween ne and the sun, as slowly and
imperceptibly he sank at the flaming
horizon, from a quarter circle to a
segment; then the last vestige Of that
also disappeared, but the lingering
rays Of his glory played upward on
the light clouds that foated above.
Even they paled away and died out,
and twilight stole over the sea, which
changed from gold TO a transparent
blue.
With the increasing twilight came a
change Of wind, and before it a great
bank OF cloud rolled from the horizon
on our starboard bow. Under its shad-
ON the sea was darkened and its brok-
en- water fecked with white. The new
breeze came first upon our quarter,
then rapidly it was abeam and three
great aIbatrosses were seen to whip
the sea with their wings, while whole
shoal Of brown porpoises surged past
our bows, plunging ioyously from wave
to wave.
Tucks and braces were Instant!
manned and the sails we're trimmed
anew for our desultory course.
"Sail ho-to windwaTd." said one o
the crew, in low but excited voice
! lest the sound might reach the cabin
/ and as the dense bank Of purple clouds
4 opened a large bark came out OF il
and her form became more and NOR
defined as she left the vapor astern
She was going free-that is, with he
head further of the wind than close
hauled-and had a press Of snow-whit
canvas, which shone in the last ligh
Of the west.
"she is four miles or" said Carlton
1--WE must signal her" added Lam
bourne.
with what?" asked Carlton. in tn
same sharp but low voice; every col
or is overheard"
Anything will do-a blue shirt 9
the foremost head; quick,-the SIX
will be quite dark in ten minutes. Ru
it up in a ball with slipping lool
man-o'-war fashion," said Lambourn
IN a loud whisper; get ready a ship
lantern some of you, for the nigl
darkens so fast that We shall scarcel
be visible when she is abeam Of u
Ned. get into the fore-channel an
wave the light as q signal that v
want a boat"
These orders were rapidly obeyC
and preparations made to throw Il
brig in the wind. While one man Ia
tilv got the lantern from a little rour
house, in which certain stores az
tools we're kept on deck; Ned Garlic
uuIled off his shirt, and was in 4
act of binding it to the signal ha
wards. when the Spaniard. whose GUT
ears detected some commotion, spral
/, on deck. armed as usual.
On seeing Carlton busy with the hs
wards he looked round, caught sig
of the ship, which was running wi
the white foam boiling under her fol
? foot, and thus in moment divin
what we were about.
Muttering a terrible impreeation
: Spanish he fired at Carlton, but miss
? him as before, and shot dead a 20
{ apprentice who was close by.
'Tarnal thunder. flesh and bio
l. can't hear thisl" shouted Tom La
:, bourne, whose fury was boundless. a
who snatehed up capstan-bar. BE
s down on him all hands; there is nett
/ or sea law no land law can help
; herel"
:, Snatching whatever came nearest
e hand. we all rushed upon the Cubal
e who stood boldly at bay. and keep
the pinnacle between us and him, III
d over it five or six shots from his
y yolver with terrible rapidity: but
unsteady had his hand become in c.
sequence of his free potations belC
that every bullet missed, though
cut the kauckles of Tom Lambourn
/ right hand, and another tore away
) rim Of my straw hat
5 He drew a second revolver from
g sash, but Lambourne. by one luC
/ blow with the capstan-bar. knocked
3. out of his hand. 1t went twenty
/ into the air and fell overheard.
} Quick as lightning Antonio pla
le the other in his breast, drew his KIN
ID stopped his head, and darting throl
us like an eel. gave Carlton cash
E. the thigh as he passed.
s. He then made for the main riggi
IN and sprang on the bulwark, no do
IN with the intention of running up a
E. to some secure perch, where he mi