Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-28
drunk with delight"
CHAPTER Y.

new world Of sunshine and
calm. Her brain had been
cleared, restored to the normal by re-
f%reshing sleep. with n more active
perception Of the curious difficulties
which beset the Kansas came a feeling
akin to despair. The brightness Of ma
ture served rather to convert the ship
into a prison. Storm and stress, wheth-
er of the elements or Of the less candid
foes who lurked unseen on the neigh
boring shores, made the Kansas n veri-
table fortress, Il steel refuge seemingly
imprcgnable. But the knowledge Of
the vessels helplessness and of the
equally desperate hazard which beset
her inmates was rendered only more
poignant by the smiling aspect OF land
and sea.
But she was hungry, and that was a
saving sign. She guessed that many
Of the men after mounting watch until
broad daylight were asleep. Others
were ut work below, as was testified
by a Subdued sound of hammering.
with the sharp clink Of metal against
metal. Walker was tinkering at the
engines. With him in all likelihood
were the captain and Tollemache. She
and Suarez were the drones Of the
ship, and Suarez. poor fellow, had earn
ed an idle hour II only on account OF
the scrubbinE he had given himself to
wash away the tokens of FIVE years OF
slavery.
Before going in search Of the cook
she walked n few steps toward the
bridge. At the top of the companion
she saw Joey, sitting disconsolately on
his tail, a sure indication that Courte-
nay was occupied in depths approach
able only by steep iron ladders with
er the dog could o follow.
She whistled softly to her little
friend. knowing that ChriStobal and
perhaps Mr.. Boyle would be on the
was not inclined for talk ut the mo-
ment. Joey sprang down the stairs.
barking joyously, and lnaped into her
outstretched arms.
He honored no other person on board
except bis master with such extrava-
CANT friendship, and as the girl carried
him aft to the cooks galley she asked
herself why the dog had taken such a
liking 10 her.
She blushed n little as she thought:
ut may he that I resemble the lady
whom Captain Conrtcnay is going to
marry. wonder why he did not show
us her photograph that day when Iso-
bel and I visited his cabin and looked
at the pictures OF his mother and sis
ter. I should like to see her, but how
can | manage III simply dare not
tell him l read that scrap Of a letter,
even by chance"
The dog apparently found her an ex-
cellent substitute. He licked her ear
~contentedly. That tirkled her. and
she laughed.
~ fear you are a tickle lover. Joey"
she said aloud. But Won will simply
be compelled to remain constant to me
while we are in this horrid place, and
that may he for the remainder Of our
lives, dear"
Joey tried to lick her again to show
that he didn't care. What could any
reasonable dog want more. than fine
weather, enough to cat and the pros
pect of an occasional scrimmage?
When Elsie did ultimately climb to
the chart house the fit of dependency
had fed. Boyle was there, having
been carried up in a deck chair early
In the day. He vas alone.
Huh" he growlcd pleasantly.
you're lookin' MS bright as a new pin,
Miss Maxwell. Now, if. | had been
among the pirates I'd have taken you
with me-
DO you mean to say that you are
actually paying me complimentsF' said
she.
"Am l? Huh didn't mean 1t. I'm
an old married man But pirates, espe-
cially Spanish ones, are supposed to be
very handy with knives an other fel-
lows girls"
You see they did not consider me n
prize"
that boat. Christobai has been tellin'
me all about it. They've gone under"
"Do you really think so?"
Cant see any chance for them, Miss
Maxwell"
But we are almost as badly situated
here"
"Huh-not a bit of II. Lucky chap,
Courtenay He couldn't lose a ship II
he tried. She'd follow him cross coun-
try like that pup. Look at me: lost
three, all brand new from the build
ers. SO I'm first mate. an first mate
III remain till my ticket gives out"
Why do you consider Captain Cour
tenay so ~fortunateT' asked Elsie, flush
ing somewhat at the guile which lay
behind the question.
Huh" snorted Boyle, amazed that
even a slip of a girl should need in
forming on so obvious a fact. Don't
you call l. luck TO he given command
of a ship like the Kansas at his age
an to get $500 an n gold chronometer
because the skipper Of the Florida was
too full to hold on to the bridge? You
mark my words, he'll be made com
modore of the fleet after he pulls the
Kansas out of this mess"
What happened to the FloridaT'
Haven't You heard that yarn? Bless
my soul, she was our crack ship. She
broke her shaft In a gale, an the
skipper was washed overboard-you
always tell lies about deaders, you
knOw-sO A.. {. inst waded In an