Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-31

low was no sort or match for Brandon, who, with his old trick, quickly twist ed his adversary's sword out of his grasp and with a flash of his own blade flung it into the sea. The other men were now talking together at a little distance in whispers, and in a moment one drunken brute shouted: Ut is no man. It is a woman. Let us see more of her!'
 Before Brandon could interfere the fellow had unbuckled Mary's doublet at the throat and with a jerk had torn it off, carrying away the sleeve and exposing Mary's shoulder, almost throwing her to the deck.
 He waved his trophy on high, but his triumph was short lived, for almost instantly it fell to the deck, and with it the offending hand severed at the wrist by Brandon's sword. Three or four friends of the wounded man rushed upon Brandon, whereupon Mary screamed and began to weep, which of course told the whole story.
 A great laugh went up, and instantly a general fight began. Several of the gentlemen, seeing Brandon attacked by such odds, took up his defense, and within twenty seconds all were on one side or the other, every mothers son of them fighting away like mad.
 You see how quickly and completely one woman without the slightest act on her part, except a modest effort to be let alone, had set the whole company by the ears, cutting and slashing away at each other like very devils. The sex must generate mischief in some un- known manner and throw it off, as the sun throws off its heat. However, Jane is an exception to that rule-if it is a rule.
 The officers soon put stop to this lively little fight and took Brandon and Mary, who was weeping as any right minded woman would, down into the cabin for consultation.
 With great oath Bradhurst ex- claimed: 9'It is plain enough that you have brought girl on board under false colors, and you may as well make ready to put her ashore. You see what she has already done-a hand lost to one man and wounds for twenty others and she was on deck less than five minutes. Heart of God! At that rate she would have the ship at the bottom of Davy Jones' locker before we could sail half down the channel"
 Tt was not my fault" sobbed Mary, her eyes flashing fire. 1T did nothing; all wanted was to be left alone, but those brutes of men-you shall pay for this; remember what say. Did you expect Captain Brandon to stand back and not defend me when that wretch was tearing my garments offT'
 Captain Brandon, did you say?" asked Bradhurst, with his hat off in- stantly.
 'Yes," answered that individual. 'T shipped under an assumed name for various reasons, and desire not to be known. You will do well to keep my secret"
 "Do understand that you are Mas ter Charles Brandon, the kings friendY' asked Bradhurst.-
 'I am," was the answer.
 '@rhen, sir, I must ask your pardon for the way you have been treated. We of course could not know it, but a man must expect trouble when he at. taches himself to woman" It is a wonder the flashes from Mary's eyes did not strike the old seadog dead He, however, did not see them and went on: We are more than anxious that so valiant | knight as Sir Charles Bran don should go with us, and hope your reception will not drive you back. But as to the lady, you see already the re. suit of her presence, and, much as we xxy7v vr% vyN fSafy ACfI Ia from the general trouble which wo- man takes with her everywhere"-Ma ry would not even look at the creature Ion shipboard there is another and greater objection. It is said, you know, among sailors that a woman on board draws bad luck to certain sorts of ships, and every sailor would desert before we could weigh anchor if it were known this lady was to go with us. Should they find it out in midocean a mutiny would be sure to follow, and God only knows what would happen. For her sake if for no other reason take her ashore at once.''
 Brandon saw only too plainly the truth that he had really seen all the time, but to which he had shut his eyes, and, throwing Mary's cloak over her shoulders, prepared to go ashore. As they went over the side and pulled off great shout went up from the ship far more derisive than cheering, and the men at the oars looked at each oth- CT askance and smiled. What predic- ament for a princess! Brandon cursed himself for having been such knave and fool as to allow this to happen. He had known the danger all the time, and his act could not be chargeable to ignorance or failure to see the proba- ble consequences. Temptation and self ish desire had given him temerity ill place of judgment.
 When the princess stepped ashore, it seemed to her as if the heart in her breast was different and separate organ from the one she had carried aboard.
 As the boat put off again for the ship its crew gave a cheer coupled with some vile advice, for which Brandon would gladly have run them through, each and every one. He had to swallow his chaCrin and anger and really