Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-12-26


firm. make quick jerk and a lively
run, lads, for Gods sakev'
The men grasped the rope more
firmly and sprang into position for the
jump. The next couplet was struck on
the bell. The boat was nearer now.
Coventry saw that the woman waved
something that looked like a paper in
her hand. The last stroke of the bell
rang out on. the breathless, silent ship.
"Set taut!" cried the lieutenant
hoarsely. The men leaped forward in
stantly to the shrill piping Of the
boatswain and his mate. "Sway
awayw he cried.
The frightened rope caught the Irish
man by the throat. A lightning fash
seemed to cleave the skies. He saw, as
in vision, great hall hung with ar
ras, a picture frame, woman radiant,
beautiful, her eyes shining; an up
raised hand. Like silver bells a voice
mufmured, II love him, love him"
She moved-ah, gigantic hand caught
him by the throat He strove to cry
out. 1t clutched him tighter and tight
er. Blackness like pail fell before
him, shutting out the smiling face
death-agony-he saw no more. He
swung into the air and was nothing.
The quick eye of Major Coventry had
detected at last what the girl was wav-
! ing.
''That paperv' he cried frantically as
the last bell struck. "It must be re-
prieve. The admiral has relented."
Was it too late? Quick as thought he
snatched the sheath knife from the belt
Of the sailor near him. 1t was too late
to stop the men on the rope even had
he possessed the power, but as O'Neigl
rose in the air he caught him around
the waist and with one rapid blow sew
cred the straining rope above his head.
Assisted at once by the sailor alongside
Of him, they lowered the bound, un-
conscious man upon the deck beneath
them. 1t was all done in the twinkling
Of an eye. The men on the ship broke
out in ringing cheers.
The rope, beinSrelieved of the weight
Of the body, Of course ran rapidly
through the block, and the men hauling
it pitched pellmell over themselves upon
the deck. There was a moment Of In
tense excitement. The seamen on the
other side Of the deck, cheering wildly,
started eagerly forward. The officers,
sword in hand, sprang in front Of them,
driving them back The marine officer
aft brought his men at once to atten-
ton with sharp word or two, and
every piece was ready in case of dis
turbance. Pearson white with rage at
the interruption, leaped forward.
"What is the meaning of thisT he
shouted. "Who has dared to interfere
In this mannerY
II, SIR" replied Coventry fearlessly,
looking up from his place by the uncon-
scious man.
"And by what right, sir?" cried the
enraged captain. Though you be the
son Of the admiral, you shall dearly
authority. What excuse have you to
offer for interrupting the sentence of
court martial? What reason can you |
urge for your presumption?'
"Boat ahoy" cried a seaman sta
toned at the port gangway.
'Sir," said Coventry, quietly meeting |
the eye Of the thoroughly infatuated |
captain, eff mistake not, you will find |
my excuse in that boot"
swell for you, sir, If it be there! |
Never in my twenty years of service
have I been so braved, and on my own
ship too! See what boat it u.s." said the
captain, turning to one Of his midship-
men, land find out what is wanted"
The lad came running back presently
and saluted.
"'Tis lady, sir-the governors
ward-Lady Elizabeth Howard. She
wishes to come on board" he said.
"Lady Elizabeth Howard This is
no place for women. This man is still
to be hanged. What can she wish?"
exclaimed the captain, frowning.
Receive her at once, sir, beg" said
Coventry. "She has paper-my ex-
cuse, sir" he added, smiling.
"Show her on board" said the cap
tain shortly to the midshipman. Then
he looked down on the still unconscious
form of O'Neiil. 'Send surgeon here
at once, SIR" he continued, and as the
latter presented himself, us the man
dead? ?" he asked.
mo, SIR" said the surgeon, examin-
ing him hastily and making ready to
apply some necessary restoratives, for
which he dispatched an assistant to
the sick bay.
SECT him in shape, then, and quickly,
for another attempt, for hang he shall
IL ne has to be held up for itp' ordered
the captain sternly.
At this moment the midshipman, fol-
lowed by Lady Elizabeth, pale as
1eath, blue boat cloak which belong
I'd to her guardian, which she had
taught up in the castle, fiuttering in
he breeze, her hat gone, her hair di-
,heveled, her hand clutching a paper.
broke through the little group.
Captain Pearson-where is hep she
:ried nervously. Then, as her eyes
ell on the PROSTATE form of O'Neil