The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-05-16

b man NODDED 20 ner, disappeared
inboard, and presently came back fol
lowed by an older sailor.
"Who be ye?" cried the older man,
apparently the captain Of the ship.
MY names Darlington" answered
Ellen.
Are ye fugitives from i~ustice?"
asked the captain.
NO, no, l swear we're not"
BE ye a runaway coupler"
yes, yes" answered Ellen, grasping
at the suggestion presented by the
captains misconception Of the situa.
ton.
And indeed they were a runaway
couple, though not exactly Of the kind
the captain meant.
"And them boats yonder, are they
'chasin' you?"
They are" cried Ellen. Wont
you take us aboard?'
We'll, I don't know" said the cap
tain, slowly. Il guess so. 1 don't
want to heave to, them boats to port
is chasin' hard"
IF you'll make a half board, I'll run
the boat alongside of you and Wen
manage to get aboard"
CAN right" said the captain.
He spoke to the helmsman and a
moment after the sails Slated in the
wind, the big ship swung up toward
the breeze and ranged ahead, her way
clearly checked.
Ellen acted promptly. Before the
big ship swung up into the wind she
had run her little boat alongside. She
dropped sail, ran forward and took
a turn with a painter across the fore
chains. She let the boat drift aft until
1t came abreast the battens on the
side, leading up the gangway, Up this
she drove Debbie, reluctant, protest
ing, frightened out of her wits. In
deed it was a hard climb for a girl
unused to such performances and en-
numbered by her skirts. Showed by
Ellen, however, the girl clambered up
until hands reached through the gang
way dragged her to safety. Ellen fol-
lowed quickly after her.
aHI y0ul boat, wnat OF nerY'
asked the captain.
she's no use to us any longer" an
swered Ellen, enduring the keen scru-
tiny of the old sailor as best she
might. you may have her, captain"
@Here Bud, said the captain to an
old sailor, 'jes' drop down the fore
chains and make that boat fast. Well
swing her up on deck after awhile, If
she's worth It. Now, sir" he looked
harder than ever at Ellen, what did
you say your name WASP"
Darlington" answered the count
ess thoughtlessly, Ellen"
"Ellen!" exclaimed the captain,
Gee Whilikinsl l thought so, And
this young LADY," he turned to
Deborah.
my names Slocum, Deborah Slo.
cum of Massachusetts,, Of Boston.
should like to get ashore"
Young ladies'" said the captain
and at that word Ellen knew that all
her hopes Of concealment we're blast
ed-"what's the cause of this, l dont
know. Why you're masQueradin' in
boys clothes, ma'am, l can't tell.
take it that the other is a female II
spite of her woman's riggin'."
yes, you may be sure of that,
. whimpered Deborah with difficulty re
4. pressing a strong inclination to cry
. Captain" began Ellen, r~esolutely
: you've guessed the truth. I am {
woman"
Lord love you; you didn't expect t.
disguise it, did your" said the captain
laughing grimly.
81 never thought anything about it,
said Ellen. IT was SO anxious to ge
away"
ITO get away from whom? l though
, you was a lover and his lass"
We're not" cried Debbie, indig
! nantly; she's trying to escape from
y, her husband, and +"
|, AN you, miss?"
: I'm not trying to escape from any
), body. l want to go ashore! Won
you put me ashore, captain?"
Hardly" said the captain, dryly
you've come aboard and l CUES
:. you'll have to stay unless l heave t
; and wait for one of them other boats.
What is your name?' asked Eller
"Tuggles." said the captain, Cap
Jeremiah Tuggles, at your service"
Capt. TuggIes," said Ellen, "dl
you ever hear of Capt. William Pen.
Slocum Of Philadelphia"
"That l have, miss"
. "He was my father"
"Oho!" said the captain. Are 20
the Pennsylvania girl that married tn
English lord?"
u Il am"
And is the English lord in n q
them boats out yonder?"
HE is"
"An' you're tryin' to git away fror
himg
Indeed, I am. He has used m
cruelty"
"Well." said the captain, noddin
thouqhtfulIv as II he understood n nj