Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-03-15
CHAPTER -III=(Continued.
BY II. s. MERREMAN

deaths Of the whole crew excepting him
self were faithfully recorded. The pro
ceedinss were ship-shape and business
like, but as the story progressed the old
commander became more and more inter
ested, to the detriment Of his official pune
tilio. When at last Tyars finished his
narrative with the words:
And this afternoon Lieut.. Grace found
me asleep on the wheel" the old sailor
leaned forward across the little cabin ia
bic and extended an unsteady, curved
hand.
Your hand, sir; l should like to take
by the hand a man with such a record
as yours. You have done a wonderful
thing in navigating the ship almost sin
gle-handed as far as this. In nursing the
poor fellows you have acted with the ten
derness Of a woman: in the management
of your ship you have proved yourself a
good sailor. and in your marvellous pluck
you have shown yourself gentleman
for such | think you must be, though you
shipped as second mate Of a merchant
man"
Tyars took the proffered hand. smiling
his slow, unconsciously mournful smile.
But" he said, calmly ignoring the in
terrogat.Jn of the old mans glance, you
must not give me the whole credit. There
are other records as good as mine, but
they are finished, and so the interest suf-
Tiers. Some of the men behaved splen-
didly. One poor fellow actually dropped
dead at the wheel, refusing to go below
until it was too late. He knew it was
hopeless, but he took a peculiar sort of
pride in dying with his fingers around the
spokes."
Then the young surgeon of the Foam
appeared and took charge of his second
patient-for the terrier Muggins had, by
Tyars request. been attended to first
In the quiet days that followed the
rescued man and his dog recovered from
the effects of their hardship with wonder
full rapidity. Muggins had a decided dis
advantage of his master. He was older
as a dog than Tyars as a man moreover,
his hardShips had been greater, for thirst
is terrible enemy and leaves his mark
deep sunken. Tyars had passed through
most trying period, but Providence had
chosen to place within his broad chest a
heart semi-indifferent, semi-stubborn-the
hard heart of n fearless man. In his
place nine out of ten would have lost
their reason Grace found him as nearly
hysterical as a strong will could we'll be.
Claud Tyars soon regained his energy,
and with the return Of it came that rest
lessness which characterized his daily way
of life. lie wished to be up and doing,
holding idleness as an abomnation. A
few men had been put on board the mer-
chairman with instructions to keep near
their own ship under all circumstances,
and in consort the vessels were creeping
slowly through the placid waters toward
che north
1t happened that Lieut. Grace was soon
80 leave the SLAYER on long leave of
absence and le was therefore selected
to go on board the Martial, with Tyars
as joint conn, nder, and a few men
with view to Sliling for Madeira, where
the crew would De strengthened.
At last the Il ctor announced that the
rescued man WAS perfectly strong again
and that the fcrer-stricken ship was puri
Ged and disinfected.
But" he added gravey, looking al
Tyars, 'the dog is in a critical condition
/ do not consider myself justified in al
lowing him to go out of my hands. He
requires constant medical attendance"
''Bosh - replied Tyars. with much sol
emnity.
Il will give you five pounds for him,
said the doctor, innocently.
Il have not come on board this vesse
to sell my dog"
The offer was increased, but to no pur
pose. l'yars was as faithful to his do,
as Muggins to his master. And so tn,
two returned to their vessel early on
morning, when a fair breeze was blow
ing For the third time since her de
parture from South America the Mar
tails sails were all shaken out, and be
Meath cloud of snowy canvas she movet
away on her stately progress northward
while the little slave-catcher returned t.
the cursed coast which required so clos
a watch.
Tyars held a masters certificate, an
by right of seniority succeeded to the com
mand of the Martial, vice captain an
first mate, dead and buried In Lieut.
Grace he found a coadjutor of sympathet
ic mettle Energetic, alert and bold. h
ruled the deck with CHEEKY despotisn
and went below for rest with the comfort
in conviction that Grace would neve
shorten sail from nervousness.
The question before this little band c
men was the safe conduct of a valuabl
ship and precious cargo home to En-.
land. and this they one and all came I
look upon in time with that breadth {
view which the circumstances required
Man-of-war trimness was out of the que:
tion-carpenter there was none, so paint
could not be mixed nor decks caulke,
nor woodwork repaired. There was L
sailmaker so things must perforce be a
lowed to go a little ragged
After a long consultation with Grac
Tyars had called together his little ere
round the wheel. and there delivered
them short harangue in his be-
Union" style. The result of this and
few words from the Lieutenant was tn.
the island of Madeira was enthusiastica
ly shelved. There were to be no ha
measures on board the Martial. The
would take the ship home if there was
watch below for any of them
This program was ultimately carrie
out to the letter. With the aid of goo
fortune, safe and rapid passage was pc
formed. though. indeed, there was not Il
much sleep for any on board. No mes
energy was displayed by Muggns amor
others He gravely superintendent evel
alteration of sail, every bit of work +
quiring all hands, and was never misSiI
from his post by night or day. When
last the Channel pilot came on boar
gazing curiously up aloft, where thin
We're anything but taut, Muggins w
among the first to greet him with tn
sef-posSesSed gentlemanliness which
welded so unconSciouSly.
And during the voyage home Lier
Grace had studied his companion with
slow, comprehensive scrutiny. The ty
commanders had not been thrown mu
together by reason of their duties bell
separate. but it was not to this fact alo
that the naval officer attributed his ia
ure to make anything of Claud Tyal
He had found this ex-wrausfer calm,
stalled in the humble post of seco',l ma
to a merchant sailing ship. Moreovt
there was no attempt to conceal an ide
tity which was, to say the least of
strange. Tyars appeared in no way co
sciouS of an unanswered question existi
in his intercourse with the naval ofict