Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-08-23


fly.
And do you know the business you
will be required to do?''
"Obey orders. l suppose"
Exactly. Upon my word. like that
answer. But what do you suppose those
orders will amount toy
Cold gold! Perhaps blood! But gold
ahead of all else.'
Mari Laroon started as these words
fell upon his ear, for they were most
strangely spoken. And then the IAN
looked at him so with that one dark eve
when be spoke. The old buccaneer lad
never shrank so before beneath a human
gaze.
You speak rather more harshly :nan
there is any need Of" be said. in a tone
which would .,occ.a to indicate that he did
not wholly like the speech he had heard.
"Oh. | can speak AS kindly as you
WISH" quickly returned the strange man.
with a smile-and there was something
kind in the smile. too. And" he added.
Il can be as gentle as a lamb"
What is your name:"
"Buffo Burlington
"A curious name" said Laroon eying
him sharply.
"Ay." he calmly replied. "some people
think l am a curious man"
Laroon regarded the new man for
some moments in silence, but his gaze
was not steady, for there was something
in that lone eye, ay, and in that whole
face, that troubled him.
Perhaps you have seen me before?"
remarked the captain, with seeming care
lcssness, but yet with a look and tone
which proved him to be anxious on the
very subject thus preached.
Il think l have, sir, in New York"
do you remember the circum-
stancesT"
Yes" returned burlington, looking
Laroon steadily in the face, lit was at
time when your meals were served in
your own ROOM"
"Eh?
by the jail
Stop shouted the pirate. starting to
his feet. THAT is enough. If you will
join my crew and sign my articles you
shall 90 with US, and fare and share
with the rest"
As Buffo burlington left the room
Laroon touched the bel. The same boy
answered it.
Jack" said the captain, ego and
watch that man. Follow him carefully
and don't lose sight of him. II he at
tempts to leave the village hurry back
with all speed"
The boy merely bowed and then set
out on his mission. After he was gone
Laroon rested his elbow on the table
and buried his brow in his hands. Thus
he remained for some minutes, totally
regardless of the presence of another
do you want those five men to 20 on
board to-night?" asked the surgeon at
length.
Laroon seemed to have heard some
one speak, for he raised his head and
then started up from his chair, but with
out answering he commenced to pace the
room.
''McLura," he said at length, stopping
IN front of the surgeon, how long has
that man been here?"
About 8 week. Why, captain. do you
think you have seen him before?
Il don't know. But he's a strange
looking man, isn't hep
He is surely, and one, l should think.
not easily to be forgotten when once
seen"
just as he spoke the door opened aid
BuffO burlington entered and reported
himself ready to go on board. Again
Larcon gazed into that quaint, ugly
looking face, but he gained nothing by
his search, and shortly afterwards he
babe the newcomer be seated, and then
signified his desire to see the men who
We've well enough to rejoin the brig. Nc
Lura arose and led the way out from
tho room, 0nd when they were both g, ne
he 1Nr ,oI1 A.l,. IL
burlington started to his feet end
stumped across the room. His hands
were clasped and his eye emitted sparks
OF fire. He did not walk much, for
his lameneBs caused his steps TO make
an unusual noise, and he remained for
some time standing still in the center of
the room. He muttered to himself while
his hands worked nervously together,
as though he were rending in twain
some firm fabric.
You think you have seen me before.
Mari Laroon, l have the advantage of
YOU. Misfortune has laid her relentless
hand upon my body, and she has left me
so much the worse for her visit that
even you cannot peer beneath the veil
she has drawn over me. Wen have
merry cruise together"
After this the man sat down, and
though his eye still sparkled, yet tn G
was an earnest, eager look upon his
features He sat with his broad hands
folded in his lap. and his gaze bent upon
the floor, and thus he remained until
Laroon returned.
Now, my hero, wen move our stumps
toward the Shore" said the captain.
Where is your luggage?"
AT the door," returned Burlington,
rising to his feet.
Laroon led the way out, and upon the
piazza he found quite a respectable sized
bag. This the new man threw lightly
over his shoulder, and then the two start
ed down towards the pier. Laroon keep
ing his companion a few PAGES in adj
vance. Whether he did this through
fear. or only from the within of habit, it
were hard To tell
The boat was found in readiness. and
ere long the lame sailor was upon the
deck of The craft be had promised to
make his home. a hammock was served
out to him by the sailmaker. and the
second lieutenant gave him number
upon the berth deck. But few OF the
men were up TO see him. and he escaped
without being bothered. u
Buffo Pennington was thus quartcTct
for such a cruise as his commander
might see fit to project, and he certainly
looked like one who would hesitate at
nothing between the sail-top and the
lannon's mouth,
CHAPTER ".
On the following morning there was
much excitement and curiosity on board
the brig. The new man had come on
deck. aud no one of the crew had ever
seen him before.
He's queer 'un, isn't hep remarked