Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-12-15
Nv MARCUS CLARKE

| -. nc passage before, suspected
ou' saiu mourning save among them
serves. II is likely that the weak and
SlcAiy would go first, and that there
"ouiu ue more room for those remain
ing. Inc odd hands" were satisfied.
| Inree OF these old hands were con-
verslng together just behind the parti-
ton OF Dawes bunk. The berths were
nVe Feet square, and each contained six
men. NO. 10, the berth occupied nv
| DaWes, was situated in the corner made
by the joining of the starboard and CEN
ter lines, and behind it was a slight re-
cess, IN which the scuttle was fixed
Ills mates were at present but three
IN unmber, for John Rex and cockney
TAILOR mad been removed to the hospital.
Inc three that remained were now in
ueep conversation in the shelter of the
recess. Of these, a giant seemed to be
the chief. His name was Gabbett.
He was returned convict. The other
/ two were man named Sanders. known
as the Moocher," and Jenny Vetch.
the Grow" They were talking in whis-
pere, but Rufus Dawes, lying with his
head close to the partition, was enabled
to catch much of what they said.
AT first the conversation turned on the
catastrophe of the burning ship. From
this it grew to anecdote of wreck and
adventure, and at last Gabbett said
something which made the listener start
from his Indifferent efforts to slumber
into sudden, broad wakefulness.
1t was the mention of his own name,
coupled with that of the woman he had
met on the quarterback.
81 saw her speakin' to Dawes yester-
| day." said the giant, 1--WE don't want
no more than we've got. 1 amt goin' to
risk my neck for Rex's fancies, and
so I'll tell her."
ct was something about the kid"
says the Crow, in his elegant slang. 81
don't believe she ever saw him before"
eff [ thort she was agoin' to throw
us over, Ed cut her throat as soon as
look at her." snorts Gabbett, savagely.
Jack I'D have a word in that" snuff
| fes the Moocher; "and he's curious
cove to quarrel with
WELL" grumbled Mr.. Gabbett, "and
let's have no more chaff. If we're for
bizness, let's come to bizness.'
''What are we to do now?" asked the
Moocher. Jacks on the sick list, and
the gal won't stir a'thout him."
''My dear friends" said the Grow,
my keyind and keristian friends, it is
| to be regretted that when natur' gave
you such tremendously thick skulls, she
| didn't put something inside of 'em. |
say that now's the time. Jacks in the
'orspital; what of that? That don't
make it no better for him, does it? Not
bit of it; and, if he drops his knife
: and fork, why, then it's my opinion
| that the gal won't stir a peg. It's on
| his account, not ours. that she's been
manoovering, amt it,"
"Welv' says Mr. Gabbett, with the
air of one who was but partly con
vinced, 81 s'pose it is.
'All the more reason of getting it off
quick. Another thing, when the boys
know there's fever aboard you'll see
| the rumpus there's be. They'll be
ready enough to join us then. Once get
the snapper-chest, and we're right as
nine-penn' orth o'hapence."
This converse ton had an intense in
terest for Rufus Dawes. Plunged into
prison, hurriedly tried, and by reason
of his surroundings ignorant of the death
of his father and his own fortune, he
had hitherto held aloof from the scoun-
drels who surrounded him. He now
saw his error. He knew that the name
he had once possessed was blotted out,
that any shred of his old life which had
| chung to him hitherto was shriveled III
the fire that consumed the Hydaspes.
Richard Devine was dead-lost at sea
with the crew of the Inflated vessel in
which-deluded by a skillfully sent let
fer from the prisor-his mother beliey-
ed him to have sailed Rufus Dawes,
ID f1Ic INa yvn
convicted felon, the suspected murderer.
should live to claim his freedom. With
his head swimming, and his brain on tire,
he eagerly listened for more.
"But we can't stir without the girl"
Gabbett said. "She's got to stall OF the
sentry" :
The Crow produced a dirty scrap OF
| paper, over which his companions eas
crly bent their heads.
s.Where did yer get that?' asked CAB
bett.
yesterday afternoon Sarah was
| standing on the deck throwing bits
Toxic to the gulls, and | saw her a-look-
mo at me very hard At last she came
down as near the barricade as she dared.
and throwed crumbs and such-like up Ill
the mir over the side. By and by pref
tv big lump, doughed up round, TELL close
to nv foot. and, watching favorable
opportunity, !, pouched it. Inside was
this bit O. rag-bag.
The writing. though feminine in char,
acter, was bold and distinct. Saran l!au
evidently been mindful of the educatlon
of her friends, and had desired TO slfe
them as little trouble as possible.
"All is right Watch me when L come
mn Tomorrow evening at three bells. II
l drop my handkerchief, get to worn
at the time agreed ON. The sentry VIII
be safe"
Rufus Dawes. though his eyellds
would scarcely keep open, ana te.liple
lassitude almost paralyzed ms nnio
eagerly drank in the whispered sen'e -,
There was a conspiracy to seize tne slllp