Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-05


pulled to the derelict. Meanwhile she
had swung round 50 that as lie APP
preached he could see her name.
The Kangaroo he exclaimed. open
ing his eyes very wide. Give way
hearty. men.
In few minutes the boat was along
| side the kangaroo, Il rope was caught
on the gunwale. and Captain Penly
climbed aboard. followed by several of
his men. They searched the ship from
stem to stern, but found no living
thing. She was loaded with lumber.
which kept her afioat. Her foremost
had fallen and had been cut away. 1t
was plain that she had been deserted in
or after a storm.
There's prize money here, my lads"
said the captain, "a snug sum for every
one of you
Leaving a few men, he returned to
his ship. and in due time the Kangaroo
was taken in tow. the Esperance pro-
ceeding on her way TO Newport, not a
hundred miles distant
The next morning at dawn the cap
tain was called on deck. Land was in
sight. and some miles ahead Il boat load
of men were pulling slowly toward il.
AS soon as they discovered the ESpe-
rance they stopped rowing. and within
half an hour Captain Penly hailed
them.
"Who are yOuE" he asked.
An oldiSh man stood up in the stern
and replied: The crew of the kanga-
roo We encountered foul weather the
day before yesterday which increased
to Il hurricane. leaving our ship III Il
sinking condition
While the man was speaking his eye
was on the tow. and his words came
slow and reluctant.
Good morning, Captain Lane" said
Penny.
WHO are you. sirE' said the other.
getting out pair of glasses.
I'm Frank Penly. at your service"
There was chopfallen look about
Captain Lane that cOntraSted sharply
with the confident air of Penly. Penly
was one of the youngest captains in
the merchant service. being but twenty
six the day lie took command of the
Esperance. He had lived i'll his moth
er'S cottage OH NarraganSett bay, near
the town of Bristol within stones
throw of the home of Captain Lanes
family. and had grown up with Lanes
children.
you are in good luck. captain" con
tinued Penly. I've got your ship in
tow"
SO see" replied the other. endcav
oring to look pleased, but it is very
hard for man TO look pleased who has
deserted his ship and found that ship
following him into port. 1t puts him in
an unpleasant position.
well. you'd better pull in. and we'll
take you aboard said Pcnly.
As soon as the wrecked mariners
were aboard the Esperance, Captain
Penly took Captain Lane 10 his cabin.
When they were last together Lane had
ordered the man who had picked up his
ship and himself to leave his house.
Now Lane waited for the younger man
to speak. Penly began in a tone and
with an air of one who remembered
nothing unpleasant.
Captain. we must hit upon some
plan.' he said. Ito enable you to sail
your ship into port without the knOwl-
edge of your having left her coming to
the owners
II don't see how it can be DONE" said
the other moodily.
1T can only he done by satisfying
our men as 10 prize money. Fortunate
~ | have something to my credit in
bank
Il have enough to attend to that
III figure mp what my men would
be entitled to-"
But your own share?"
Never mind that"
Within two hours Captain Lane and
his crew were aboard the Kangaroo,
moving under what sails were left OH
her into Newport harbor. Every man
on her was pledged TO secrecy and
handsome present promised. Those on
the kangaroo had made a like pledge
without compensation to the young
captain. whom they adored. though they
were tn get their prize money. The
Esperance entered the harbor and re-
ported that she had spoken the Kanga-
roo within sight Of land coming in dis
abled. The Esperance went on to Prov
idence. The kangaroo when she came
put in at Fall River.
The night of their arrival PenIy went
10 Bristol To greet his mother. and Lane
went there 10 see his family. In the
evening Il message came TO Penly invit-
ing him 10 the Lane residence. Cap
tain Lane received him in room in
which no one else was present He
gave his reasons for abandoning his
vessel. which were not bad. but i'm view
of the vessel having been found all
right they would not be acceptable.
And now" continued Lane. Il have
only Ia thank YOU for your kindness in
helping me ont of an unpleasant posi-
tion and 10 tender you check for your
share of the prize money"
No prize money Will be accepted.
captain replied the young man. You
know very well what prize / cOvet."
Meanwhile Captain Lane had taken
out his check book and drawn "A check.
Here" he said. is 4 lump sum OF
$4,000" Then. raising his voice. he