The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-28
CHAPTER VIII.

For some minutes after the engineer
left him, the captain restlessly paced
to and fro on the bridge, anxiously
scanning the surface of the ocean. es-
pecially in the direction Of Sydney
Heads. There was, however, nothing
in sight except a schnapper fishing boat
coming from the fishing grounds off
Barrenjoey Reef. and bound for sgd
ney. She was then about a mile dis
tant, and a light northeast breeze
which had now sprung up was bringing
her towards the steamer, which lay
directly in her course.
'For'ard there" cried the captain
suddenly to the lookout, "eome up here
on the bridge"
The man Obeyed, and the skipper
pointed to the boat
Rocket, you see that boat there.
Keep your eye on her whilst I write a
letter 1t won't take me ten minutes,
but don't let her pass. Hail her if /
am not here, and tell them I will give
them five sovereigns to take a letter
to Sydney for me. But don't let any
of them come aboard. Savee?'
Right you are" replied the man
with an easy familiarity that the COM
mander of the Warrigal did not seem
to resent in the slightest. In another
minute he was again in his cabin, and.
lighting the lamp. busily engaged in
hUrriedly writing a short note, the
contents of which would have filed
Tom with the most unbounded aston
ishment had he read the lines:
Madam-Your nephew was last
night blown out to sea in the souther-
ly and had very narrow escape from
death He is now sound asleep in my
berth and his boat is on board my YES
sell regret that certain circum-
stances Onto which I cannot now en-
teri absolutely prevent me from let
ting him return to Sydney. and I shall
have TO keep him with me for perhaps
several weeks or even months. But 7
assure you most sOlemnIy that he shall
be treated wen, and viii not be any
the worse for having fallen in with
me. Only the sternest necessity COM
pels me to act as / do, and I entreat
YOU to believe me that the lad shall
come to no harm. can assure you
U2t l thoroughly realize the distress
] am causing you and the lads sister,
but necessity knows no law. am,
madam, your obedient servant
JAMES CHRISTIE.
''P. S.-If you will read the papers of
today you viii gain an idea of the
cause of my conduct"
Closing the letter he addressed il to
Miss Denison, Crows Nest, Sirius
Cove" and marked it Urgent" and
then, putting out the light again. re-
turned to the bridge. The boat was
now within hailing distance, and in re-
Spouse to his call came alongside
Got a good catch, bOys?" he asked.
IN 10
men, who added some very lurid OBJ
servations about the "southerly burst
er" having split his mainsau and near
~ driven the boat on Barrenjoey Reef.
What is your catch wOrth?"
You can have it for a quid (eD,
seven schnapper and half a dozen
Dream"
Very well. pass 'em up. Now. see
here. If you'll take a letter ashore for
me straightaway I'll give you five SOW
erelgns- But it is important, very i'm
portant- Do you know Miss Denison's
place at Sirius Cover"
yes
We'll, take this letter to her as quick
as you can. With this breeze, light as
it is, you'll get there by daylight"
Right you are, skipper. We won't
fail you," said the man, as the letter
and six sovereigns were passed down
INTO the DOdI.
Whats the matter with the.
steamer"
"Oh, nothing much-burst a steam
pipe. Now sheer off, lads, as we are
ready TO start again"
The boat, with its now exceedingly
cOntented crew of three men, veered
aStern, and a few minutes later word
was sent up from the engine room that
the repairs had been effected.
The big man again heaved a sigh of
satisfaction, as he seized the handle
Of the engine room telegraph and rang
down. Full speed ahead
And as Tom, under the effects of the
red wine" which had so kindly been
given him. was sleeping heavily, the
steamers paddles once more pIoughed
up the water, and she headed to the
east, away from the land
When the red sun shot up and IL