Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-01-11
XXIV.
OF THE WELCOME THAT NET ME AT
BADMINTON

When | opened my eyes ! had some
ado to recall where | was, but on sitting
up il was brought home to me by my
head striking the low ceiling with
sharp rap. On the other side of the
cabin Silas Bolitho was stretched at fun
length, with red w0ollen nightcap upon
his head, fast asleep and snoring. In the
center of the cabin hung Il swing table,
much Worn, and stained all over with the
marks OF countless glasses and panni-
kins. A wooden bench, screwed to the
floor, completed the furniture. with the
exception Of 4 stand Of muskets along
one side. Above and below the berths
III which we lay We're rows of lockers, in
winch. doubtless, some of the more
choice iaces and silks were slowed The
vessel was rising and falling with a gen
tie motion, but from the tapping OF can
vas ! judged that there was little wind
Shipping quietly from my couch, so as
not Ia awake the mate, | stole upon deck
We were, | found, not only becaimed.
but hemmed in by Il dense fog-bank,
which rolled in thick. choking wrea,ns
all round US. and hid the very water In-
meath us. We might have been Il ship
of the air. riding upon Il white cloud
bank Now and anon n little puff Of
breeze caught the foresail and bellied it
out for moment. only to let ii flap
back against the mast, limp and slack,
once more. a sunbeam would at times
break through the dense cioud, and
would spangEe the dead-gray wall with a
streak of rainbow color, but the haze
would gather in again and shut off the
bright invader. Covenant was staring
right and left with great questioning
eyes. The crew We're gathered along the
bulwarks, and smoking their pipes. while
they peered out into the dense fog
God den. captain said Dicon. touch
ing his fur cap. we have mad a rare
run while the breeze lasted. and the
mate rcckoned before he turned in tina.
we were not many miles from Bristol
town.
In that case, my good fellow" I an
Sswercd, we can get me ashore, for
have not far TO GO"
We must cen wait til! the fog lifts"
said Long John. There's only one place
d.Ong here dye see where we can land
cargoes unquestoned. When it clears
We shall turn her head for it. but untii
We can take our bearings il is anxious
work wi tho sands under our lee
Keep lookout there, Tom Baidock."
cried DicOn to man in the bows. We
are in the track OF every Bristo, shin.
and though there's so little wind, high
squared craft might catch a breeze
which we miss"
"Sh.' said Long John. suddenly. hold
ing mp his hand in warning. ''Sh.'
We listened with all our ears. hut there
was no sound save the gentle wash or
the unseen waves against our sides.
Gail the mate" whispered the sea-
man. There's a craft clost by us.
heard the rattle Of a rope upon her
deck
SiaS Rolitho was up in IN instant,
and we all stood straiDing our ears, AMI
peering through the dense fog-lank. We
had well-nigh made mp our minds it was
false alarm. and the mate was turning
back in no very good humOr, when 2
clear loud bell sounded seven times quite
close 10 us. followed by a Shriil whistle
and n confused shouting and stamping.
It's a kings ship" growied the mate.
That's seven bells. and the bo'sun isl
turning out the watch below"
at was ON our quarter whispered
one.
"Nay. think it was on our port bow
sad another.
CONTINUED next Week