The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-12-27
CHAPTER XVII.

I
banks
Il am frightened about my father
Amory," said Adele as they stood 10
eciier by the shronds and looked bacl
at the dim cloud upon the horizon
which marked the position OF thai
France which they Were never 10 SCI
again
What do you mean, Adelef Ny
uncle is hale and hearty, and he viii
accustom himself 10 this new life"
III il only could be so! But fear,
fear that be Is over old for such q
change lie says not word OF com
plant, but read upon his face that
he Is stricken 10 the heart"
DE Catlnat was about 10 suggest that
the voyage might restore the mer'
chants health when Adele gave cry
OF surprise and pointed out over the
port quarter,
Look she cried There is some.
thing floating upon the sea. saw II
upon the crest of wave"
He looked IN the direction In which
she pointed, but II was so far from
him that he could make nothing OF II,
but sharper eyes than his had caught a
glance Of It, Amos Green had seen the
girl point
Captain Ephralm," said he. there's
boat on the starboard quarter"
The New England seaman whipped
up his glass.
AYE, it's a boat" said he "but an
empty one. Maybe It's been washed
OF from some ship or gone adrift from
shore. Put her hard down, Mr.. Tom
Iinson. for 1t just so happens that ]
am In need Of a boat at present"
Half minute later the Golden Rod
had swung round and was running
swiftly down toward the black spot
which still bobbed and danced upon
the waves. AS they neared her they
could see that something was project
ing over her side.
ITS a mans beadw cried Amos
Green.
But Ephraim's grim face grew grim
mer IT'S mans foot" said he. IL
think that you had best take the gal
below 10 the cabin"
Amid solemn hush they ran along
side this lonely craft which hung out
so sinister signal.
She was little thirteen foot cookie
she'll, very broad for her length and
so fiat in the bottom that she had been
meant evidently for river or lake work.
IIuddled together beneath the seats
were three folk, a man In the dress Of
a respectable artisan, a woman Of the
same class and little child about
year old. The boat was half full Of
water, and the woman and child were
stretched with their faces downward
the fair curls of the infant and the
dark locks OF the mother washing to
and fro like water weeds upon the
surface. The man lay with slate
colored face, his chin cooking up to-
ward the sky. his eyes turned upward
TO the whites and his mouth wide open,
showing leathern crinkled tongue
like n rottng leaf In the bows, all
huddled In heap. and with single
paddle still grasped In his hand, there
crouchcd very small man clad IN
black, an open book lying across his
face and one stiff leg jutting upward.
with the heel OF the foot resting be-
tween the rowlocks.
A boat had been lowered by the Gold
en- Rod, and the unfortunates were
soon conveyed upon deck. No particle
Of either food or drink was TO be found
or anything save the single paddle and
the open Bible, which lay across the
small mans face. Man, woman and
child had all been dead day at the
least, and SO, with the short prayers
used upon the seas, they were buried
from the vessels side The small man
had Mt first seemed also to be lIfeless, |
but Amos had detected some slight |
iiutter OF his heart, and the falntest |
haze was left upon the watch glass
which was held before his mouth. |
Wrapped IN dry blanket he was laid 1
beside the mast, and the mate forced a
lew drops OF rum every few minutes |
between his lips until the little speck |
n life which still fingered In him
might be famed TO flame. Mean.
while Ephraim Savage had ordered up
he two prisoners whom he had en-
raped at Honfeur
VERY sorry. captain said the sea.
nan, "but either you had 10 come
With US, dye see, or we had 10 stay
With you. They're waiting for me over
Il Boston, and NO In truth | couldn't
AIRY. Which would you prefer TO 20
N with Us TO America or 20 go back
o FranceT'
Back TO France, II / can ind my
way, II only 10 have word with that
DOL OF gunner"
well, we emptled a bucketful OF
water over his lInstock and printing.
Eye see, so maybe he did all he could.
3ut there's France, where that thick
'nins is, over yondcr."
Il see IL: see IL. All, II my feet
we're only upon il once morcl"
There Is a boat beside us, and you
nay take H."
My God. what happlness Corporal
.einoine. the boat, Let us push OF az
NEE"
'IiHi you need few things firxt.
iood Lord. who ever heard of man
'ushln on like lhatf Mr. TomIinson.
ust f.ug a tei u water aud "A barrel
4 meat and Of biscuit Into this boat
ilram leIersoa. bring two oars aft.
is a l5ag pull with the wind in your
cc;h bni you'li Ice there Ny tomorrow
light. an1 the weaiher 10 set fair"
The two fTenrhmea were soon pro
lfcl with an tiiat they were likely TO
cqalrr aud pushed % with waying
{ hats aud shouting o. Bon roy.
Eeg' The yard was swung round
atatn wFN Ffas. fsai,iaft Ha.g furue~8 her