The Monticellonian., 1906-06-21


 and quietly. His words came deep and low like the smothered roar of the surf on the shore Man, it was like the great sea rolling over an outlying reei, bursting, gathering again and l then rushing with that mighty power to the end. When he stopped she was i choking. gasping for breath. Man. it seemed like her heart would break. couldn't help listening, hearing her pay for what shed done. But Jimmy never blamed her, no. not he. i Jimmy stood there waiting for his answer.
 'Go-go! Go and forget She was choking. but it came plain and dis tinet There was a long silence, and l looked hard into the gloom. She had gone mmy was standing there sway ing in the night like an unstayed mast and l led him forrads, his head hang ing down and sagging like he was asleep.
 The next day it came on heavy from the northwest. Jimmy was sent aloft to put an extra gasket around the bunt of the cro' jack where it had been blown out by the gale. Some thing went wrong with the foot-rope. Looked like a clear case of cutting, for it was all right when we furled the sail few hours before. Jimmy fell with the dull waIlop that generally means death, and he landed right across the cabin skylight. l. was long fall and he was still. Morre!l Was watching his ship and saw the fal. lie started for Jimmy. Just then he woman below rushed on deck and flung herself upon the poor fellow. reached his head and start ed To raise aim. The woman was sob ping and calling for him to speak just once more fo her. and, man, 1t was terrible to aear her what she said.
 &AoIfei- s.aod looking on, and then burst into laugh
 So that's him, is it? Ho! ho. ha! So that.s the fellow? And he went b the dying han.
 She was upon him before he knew l. striking him a blow thlt sent him feelins Then he went mad and had his pistol oat firing and eursing like a maniac. l. was al over in a minute"
 Here Chips stopped awhile and c,lt some fresh plug for his pipe
 Before the morning watch I had talked Heligoland over, and he talk | to Dutehman named Langter. An derson finally joined. but Jacques Was afraid to go without his watch behind him. There Were iust four of us start ed aft euf of that crew of 20 men.
 aHeligoland took the starboard side and l took he post. both getting into the mizzen channels when the watch Was called. The rest were to rush when they heard firing.
 The second mate bawled for his watch to elew Up the mizzen lower topsail. as il was now snoring away worse than ever and the short seas were coming aboard us. This was our signal
 We erawled along the deck strake outside the rail. holding on like death with our finger tips Morrell was near est to me. When We were near enough to get behind our men, Heigoland gave a cry and jumped over. fol- lowed. The next second I had broken my knife short off in the b acke st. hearted captain that ever cursed a ships deck. He jumped back and ran forward, after him, trying to close before he could get out his pistol He lodged about the mizzen and fired as he swung. The shot hit me there on the arm and split it to the elbow. Then something flung out of the darkness to leeward and there was a dull smash. That was all. Heligoland stood leaning upon his handspike while I picked up the pistol.
 The day dawned upon a storm-t9rn ocean, all grey-white, and hove-t9 ship staggering off to the southward with her lower topsails streaming in ribbons from her jaekstays. As the blow wore down toward evening w. could hear the piteous cries of dying woman calling Tor her husband"
 Chips waited for few minutes and puffed hard at his pipe Then he went on in low voice 1 could hardly hear:
 We buried Jimmy and his wife the next day. Old Jacots sewed them up together and weighted them All hands uncovered as they went to lee ward. didn't know any service, and there wasn't any such thing as a Bible aboard. 'Good-by, Jimmy I said-and let him go"
 There was a long silence. Gantline stood up and then sat down again. He seemed to want to ask question. bat would not. Chips watched him.
 Yes he went on, I've got five years apiece for that Five long yelrs behind the bars. where the memory of the blue water and the hope I would get out again kept me from go- ins-a mad. Is it likely I'd forget the Morning Light?"
 Lost One Day in 34 Years.