The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-08

Il wonder if that black stuffs poison
that the thing squirted on Pete" he
asked, with sickening apprehension.
mo, l think not" answered Tom Rad
bone. 'At least l never heard that it
was, and l think l would, If it had BEEN"
ALI Russell examined Pete's erm crit
ically for a sign Of bite, and they were
all relieved when he could find none.
Il think he got hold of what I've read
somewhere is a cuttle-ash," ALT said. 81
never read that the ink was poisonous,
but it's likely to set, unless we can get
it off soon, and make Pete black for the
rest of his life. We ought to get to that
ship at once, to get something from the
Surgeon to take it off,"
Now, Pete" said 81, you understand
the situation. IL you don't want to be
you'll stop hunting suckers and watch for
that ship with all the eyes you've got"
Il wasn't trying to catch suckers"
whimpered Pete. Il saw something down
there that looked brighten a diamond,
and but I'll look for the ship now; you
bet. There she is, now. See that big
light coming up out Of the water?"
"A lightr' queried 81. turning around
to look. She hain't been showing light
to the rebels. Amt that light starr"
mo; it amt a STAR" Pete confidently
asserted. ITS lots too bright. There,
you can see the stars away beyond it.
And it's coming too fast. When l first
noticed it, 1t was just at the edge of the
water. Now you see it's way above the
water"
That's So" said 81, after a brief study.
ITS certainly much brighter'n a star, and
you can see the stars behind it. 1t seems
to be coming right this way. Now, boys,
bend your backs; send her along. We
won't have to go more than a mile or two
before We strike her. Lett Lett Left
Sandy, hold her square on that light"
With renewed hope in their hearts they
rushed the boat along at a rapid rate.
Shes coming right along. The lights
Pete. Its now about 10 feet above the
water"
That's good" 81 called out encourag-
ingly. Push her along, boys. Well soon
be there"
They went probably for another mile,
when the rapid pace compelled halt for
rest.
How is she now, Pete?" 81 asked, over
his shoulder.
1.-THE lights away up above the water,
and don't seem to be coming nearer" an
swered Pete, slowly and uneaSiiy.
throb Of sickening doubt shook 81 as
he whirled around and took a long look
at the light. 1t was brighter than ever,
but away up in the sky, and 1t seemed to
have sunk back into line with the other
stars.
Great Jehosephat, I believe it Is
star that we've bin chasing" murmured
Shorty. "Some bumptious star that's got
too far front on parade and had to dress
back"
at may be a light at the top of her
mast" said 81, trying hard to make him.
self believe. "She may carry it there for
a signal"
ITS my opinion" said Shorty, with
clammy disappointment settling down on
his heart, that If we reach that light
it'll have to be in a balloon, with God
Almighty's lightnings to whip us along
That's a star, as sure's you're a foot
high"
Pete began to cry, for they seemed lost
in boundless eIpanse of water, and
Uncle Ephraim doled out that they were
in "de midst OBJ de wilderness OBJ sin Az
death" The anguish of death was upon
him. He was suffering all the mortal
fear his nature was capable of.
81 himself looked stunned, and even
bewildered. He glanced back and could
not see the shore, which was hidden in
the night mists. He had not realized how
far they had come, and was uncertain as
to the direction. The ocean was as new
and strangely bewildering to him as to
the rest He had been kept up by his
vehement purpose and his confidence that
he could row right out to the ship, just
as he could have rowed across the Wa
bash to some point he had III mind. But
now he suddenly realized that he was in