The Republican journal., 1909-07-29
THE CAPTAINS MISTAKE.

panied MN on voyage TO Java, olIen
begged him to control himself, declaring
that such temper would yet lead him to
the preparation Of some deed he would
bitterly repent of.
Not that he was ever otherwise than
kind and gentle to her 1t was against
his men that he sometimes became en-
ragged They all liked him, however, for
except when they made some blunder, he
treated them like brothers. They also
liked and respected his young wife-a
beautiful brunette of twenty. The health
of this young woman was perfect, and
she was as strong and active as deer.
Having been brought up near the water
she could handle an oar with surprising
skill, and her husband had been heard to
say that she was an expert swimmer.
He was sturdy, broad shouldered fell
low, with an arm like blacksmith's, a
rudy cheek and clear eye. His wife
loved him deeply, and whenever she saw
him angry with his men she would hover
about him, endeavoring to soothe him.
Her own brother, Jack Wilton, youth
of seventeen, was cabin-boy. His relation
to Mabel, however, did not prevent his
sometimes being the object of his wrath.
One evening, on an occasion when Jack
was slightly i'll, he stumbled against
bucket full of tar, spilling the latter all
over the deck.
''Confound you, youngster!" roared
the skipper, "1'll make you stand the
lookout four hours tonight for your awk-
WardnesS.
Mrs. Barton pleaded with him. She
had sat up most all of the previous night
nursing her brother and she was sure
that he had not slept ten minutes during
,;rrb{ r tboraforo ho 1ol
to make the poor boy, who was not quite
well, remain awake so long.
But, although susceptible to his wife's
influence, there We're times when she
could not move him. He row resisted all
her appeals, and at dark made little Jack
get into the long boat and there seat him
self, to keep a lookout.
And mind you keep good onep' said
he. Don't let me catch you dozing!'
Have you put Jack on the lookout
inquired his wife, when he joined her in
the cabin.
Yes.
She nestled in his arms, coaXed and
pleaded with him about ack, but in vain.
Then she became very still and thought
full. All at once a singular expression
flashed into her dark eyes. She half
started, rolled around in his arms like
ball, but said not word.
A few minutes later the captain retir-
ed to his apartment adjoining that of his
wife He soon fell asleep, but awoke
three hours later and went on deck.
1t was a dark night and the wind was
blowing a gale. The captain looked lee
ward, but through the gloom he could
see nothing of an island the ship had
been approaching when he went below.
On making inquiries OF the officer of the
deck, however, he learned that the island
one of the FIJI group-bore about
mile off the lee quarter.
He now walked toward the long boat,
in which he had stationed Jack Wilton to
keep lookout
If find him vigilant and awake, I
will let him have his watch below he
muttered gently to himself, the dark
pleading eyes of his wife haunting his
mind. ''Hulloa! he is asleepw added the
skipper, as he approached the form seat
ed in the boat.
In fact, the head of the lookout"
was bowed and the deep regular breath
ing that saluted the captain was indica-
tive OF profound slumber.
Barton's quick temper was at once
aroused. He sprang toward the dimly
revealed form in the boat, climbed into
the vessel, and rushed at the sleeper, in
tending to seize him by the shoulder and
give him a merciless shaking. But at
that moment the ship plunged heavily,
and, IN his haste the captain caught his
foot against the boat mast, rolling it
half out of the craft and falling almost
PROSTATE into the boat AS he fell his
outstretched hand struck violently against
the back of the slumberer who, thus
pushed over the gunwale. struck against
the mast, which at once dropped into the
sea. The young lookout went with it,
pitching head foremost into the dark
waters.
Man overboard' shrieked the captain
in disnay, as he staggered to his feet
Lively there, back the mainyard and
down with the boat" he added, leaping
to the deck
But Just then loud, buzzing noise was
heard. Struck by a sudden and terrific
gale, the ship went over on beam ends
and tore through the waters, with spray
was made to lower the boat, but it was
dashed to fragments against the ships
side.
The wind blew great guns. 1t Shrek
ed like hyena in the quivering shrouds,
and the roaring seas became white with
foam and spray. No boat could be lower
ed.
Lost! The boy is lost!'' groaned the
captain. "What will she say when she
hears of it-that l pushed her brother
overboard?"
He had not the courage to tell her.
Hours passed, and he walked the deck
like a mailman.
Il cannot tell Mabel cannot wake
her yet. She will learn the dreadful
truth soon enough" muttered the wretch
ed man
Not long after the dim light of the
coming dawn struggled through the
gloom. A solemn look rested on the
faces of the sailors Every eye was
turned toward the miserable captain.
All at once from the steerage, emerged
slender youth. The captain started,
aghast. Then he started back with a
terrible cry. 1t was Jack Wilton that
he saw-the cabin boy whom he had
pushed overheard on the previous night
He rushed up to the boy and caught
him by the arm, while the astonished
seamen came all thronging after.
What does this mean? Speak! Speak"
he gasped. Il pushed you out of the
long boat into the sea, and here
What! Oh, Mr. Barton! What! in
t3errqpted the youth turning pale as
Nn11S