Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-20

nor ropes enus couia coax MN FARTHER
aloft than the ridgepole. On the other
hand, he proved himself a model paint
and brasswork cleaner. 1t was discov-
cred, moreover, that the man could
steer. For these reasons no sooner did
the Dunbarton run into warm weather
than "'Awkins" was relieved of his
watch and watch" and turned into an
"idler."
From that time he worked all day
and slept all night. He trimmed the
lamps, cleaned the brasswork, helped
the steward. took innumerable
Wheels" tended the passengers and
was looked upon as the general poop
factotum.
The Dunbarton, like many Australian
clippers. carried limited number of
cabin passengers. On this trip she had
seven-a young married couple named
Swelling, n Frenchman of the name of
De Montparnasse, Mr.. Angus. South
Australian horse breeder, and the own
er's party. The latter consisted of Mr.
Armstrong, his sister-in-law, Mrs
Pearce and his daughter Beatrice.
In the natural order of things on ship.
board it was not long before this little
company got shaken together, and
then, in the natural order of humanity,
paired off. The young married couple
chung to each other with praiseworthy
tenacity; the captain and MIR. Arm.
strong were constantly to be found
talking ship together; Mr.. Angus and
Mrs. Penrce. who was widow, be-
came boon companions, and De Mont
parnasse danced daily attendance upon
Miss Beatrice.
Such was the state of affairs when
the Dunbarton was three weeks out at
which time she careened to the full
strength of the northeast trades and
with every rag set was bowling swift
ly down to the southwark. Then, day
by day, the sun shone hotter, sea and
sky took on warmer tone, the air
grew balmy, and shoals Of glittering
flying fish skipped lightly past the bow.
The poop awning was brought out and
stretched, cane chairs and lounges, rel
les Of former East Indian voyage,
made their appearance. and the pas.
sengers, driven from below by the
heat, spent most of their time on deck
At four bells one evening Hawkins,
| the stowaway, came aft to the wheel.
BY taking the second dog watch trick
for men who wanted to play "blun''
the stowaway earned his tobacco.
Sou by east" he repeated after the
man whom he relieved, and he grasped
the spokes with the air of one who en-
joyed his occupation.
Below in the saloon the cabin folks
were at tea. Through the open sky
| light came the Sound of their voices
and laughter. At the break of the poop
the second mate leaned thoughtfully
over the weather rail. An ordinary
seaman was shipping the side lights.
The slush lamps in the house and fore.
castle began to show. Slowly the sun
departed, night overlapped the day,
and darkness fell like garment upon
the waters.
Hawkins leaned comfortably against
the wheelbox, his face Illuminated by
the blnnaole light, occasionally giving
the ship few spokes up or down. He
had developed into an excellent helms
man. Suddenly the mans frame stiff
fened, and he stood bolt upright, lis
tening. A woman's laugh had sounded
at the foot of the companionway. II
was followed by patter of feet on the
loaded stair, and a moment later Miss
Armstrong, attended by De Montpar
nasse, stepped on deck.
AS the pair seated themselves on the
weather side of the skylight Miss Arm
strong was struck with the expression
on Hawkins face. His forehead wore
a scowl, and his dark eyes shone will
an angry light in Ill accord with hi.
usual good natured appearance. L
looked SO unlike the smiling fellow wht
puttered about the poop all day and il
his capacity waited upon her will
such uncommon care and thoughtful
ness that she found herself specializing
about the man for the first time
Though in her natural kind way sht
had often bestowed word of encour
agement or praise upon the poor stow
away" as she called him, she had new
er given him thought in any othel
way, and, indeed, why should she
The average woman never sees maj
who is poorly dressed. Yet now, fol
some unaccountable reason, she sud
denly found herself wondering wha
the fellows past had been. Under
cover of the darkness she looked a
him closely. "What a strong facet
she thought. But for the black stub
BILE on his upper lip and chin he might
be handsome man" AS Hawkins
raised his eyes from the compass caro-
and looked toward the skylight witt
half blinded eyes she gave little
start.
"What is the matter. Miss Arm
strong" asked her companion in his
own tongue. Are you afraid?"
Don't YOU think it's rather chilly
sitting here? Shall we walk llttle?'
she replied evasively.
AT one bell her escort went below
and Miss Armstrong strolled idly aft
to lean over the taffrail and gaze al
the sparkling wake. AS she watched
the murmuring eddies slip from the
rudder and go swirling away to the
black water astern she kept repeating
to herself, Where have l seen those
eyes before"
\ She was disturbed presently by the
appearance Of shark under the coun.
ter Of the vessel. a faint, ghostly light
far down beneath the keel was the
first intimation of its coming, gradual
ly growing larger and more bright as II
nearcd the surface until the outlines of
the great fish could be plainly seen,
and the phosphorescent halo round II
illumtned the Dunbarton's stern. I'm.
PEELED by curiosity, not unmlXed with
fear, the girl stretched farther across
the top rail to watch the movements of
this phantom scavenger Of the sea.
On n sudden her foot slipped on the
dewy deck. She pitched forward lost
her balance and had gone hcadlong
overheard but for the man at the
wheel. Before she wholly realized her
danger Hawkins caught her about the