Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-01-02
CHAPTER XVI.
IN THE LINE OF HIS DUTY.

stern sheets Of the boat, where Eliz
abeth sat motionless, holding the tiller
He knelt down before her
'Elizaheth. dearest, we have actually
escaped" he said softly, STOPPING
toward her. 81 did not think it pos
sible! She released the tiller, took his
head in her hands and kissed him in
wild eXultation.
"Free! Freew she murmured, "and
together-my own, my own Her
words, her look. her caress, set his
blood bounding again.
Eyes. yes; is it not heavenly, and
with you? Oh. my soul, how can l
repay you?" he whispered, giving back
kiss for kiss. and stretching out his
hands toward her. There was little
pause, broken by rough voice, which
its owner evidently tried to render
more gentle. In a hoarse whisper
the man at the oars asked:
"Where ars We a-headin' of the boat.
yer leddyship?"
81 know not" she answered wildly,
Selling The tiller again. only away
from that awful ship!'
"Who is this man at the oars?'
down by her when he took the tiller
from her nervous hands.
"Well. yer honor" said low, deep
voice. with a smothering laugh in it,
''my name ashore, were l was left
by Captain Zones t'other night to look
arter you. mought be Smith, or Brown,
Or any old name; but yere in this boat
its Price-William P. Price-w'ich is
wot my mother told me, at any rate,
though | amt got no evidence but
her word fur it. an she's dead an
God be thanked see yer honor alive"
"Price. Your! exclaimed O.Neill in
great surprise. How did you find
Mm. dearrS;;:"
II found her. please yer honor" re-
oiled the man Il SEQ her leddyShip
A-comin' down to the beach, an l
Mps an captures a small boat from
the English. witch the man II be awful
disappointed like Wen he don't find
her tomorrow. an then l ups an Of
fers to take her off, an tells her,
knows yer, an we fixes it up, an
here ye are."
rs They were not yet so far from the
Scraps, even. by this time, but that
the quick ear of the girl detected the
confusion on her decks-the shrill pip
Eng Of the boatswain and his mates,
the sharp commands of the officers,
the tramplng Of many feet, were east
" heard She clutched her lover nerv-
ously, all alert at the thought Of a
possible further danger to him.
a"Qh," she whispered, ''they are doing
something on the ship. Our escape is
discovered. They will come after usT'
mot with the whole Ship he an
swered, SIN ling, though listening with
-straining apprehension as well. .
81 think they're agettin' under way,
sir" said the old seaman. Listen to
the clankin O. the pawls, yer honor"
"You are right. 1t cannot be after
US. though. A cutter or two would
suffice for that"
at ii be fur the Richard an the rest
Of 'em. Cap'n Jones, he said he'd cap
ture them ships afore the mornin'
watch, an if you wasn't hung afore
that time he'd trice up the whole
crowd to the yardarms unless they'd
let you go free. Our vessels ought to
be a-comin up from Flamburry putty
soon now But if L mought make so
bold, were are We headin' fur now.
MrY'
1--WE head for the Richard. of
course" said the young man promptly.
That's were we b'long," said the
sailor joyfnlly. 81 don't want no
nghtin' goi:l on an amt there"
''Nor l." replied O'Neill. 81 would
put you ashore. Elizabeth. before we
70. but
Whittier thou goest will go: thy
people shall be my people," she quot
ed softly. Whom have I now but
you? To whom can go but to your"
she murmured. laying her hand upon
his own. 1t was dark on the boat. but
IL it had been broad daylight he could
NOT have helped it-he kissed her.
''Oh. to be worthy of it all. to be
Worthy" he answered.
William grinned sympathetically.
wiped his mouth wistfully with the
back Of his hand. and tried to look
away. Presently. unshipping the oars.
The two men stepped the mast and
Aoisted the small sail. The little boat.
1Hnder the freshening breeze, began
% draw through the water rapidly. In
order to win out Of the mouth Of the
harbor. they would have to pass in a
direction which would bring them
once more near the moving Scraps.
They could hardly hope to escape dis
eovery They had. Of course. gained
a good start on the frigate. But as she
was soon covered with sails. and her
great height enabled her to catch the
Rreshening breeze blowing over the
hills. which was lost to the smaller
craft. she literally rushed down upon
them !,
A noble picture she made to those on !
the boat. Ghostlike and eerie in the
pale moonlight, shining ftfully through |
the overcast heavens, the great white |