The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-12-22

eyes had discerned upon the deck OF
the unknown vessel 1t fell far ahead
or us. reckless. unmeaning threat.
and yet one which fate ironically might
nave turned to our destruction. A SEQ
ond and third followed. We stood
as though spellbound, the spindrift half
binding US, the monster seas surging
upon our decks In cataracts OF clear
water. Would they hit us. or should
we De lost in the curtain OF the Storm
claim no better courage in that mo-
lment or the ordeal than the good fei
lows who closed about me were so
ready to display. We raced from death
together. and numbered. the minutes
which stood between us and our sal
walton. No thought or deed of our
own could help U.s. The good yacht
alone would answer for our lives.
now this strange pursuit lasted.
suppose, full 10 minutes. That it
came to premature end must be set
down to the immense speed Of which
the white Wings was capable and the
force OF the gale which still ragged
about u.s. We had, indeed now caught
the tail end OF the hurricane, the outer
euge 81. the storm cycle; and immed-
lately it enveloped us, a darkness as
or intenser night came down upon the
waters WeAheld a course with diff
nculty, and must instantly have been
lost to the view of those upon tho
pursuing ship.
Our'course had been northward dur
ing these exciting hours, but as the day
wore on, we set ii full north north,
west. Captain Larry alone upon the
ship knew my determination to sail
from the African coas. to Santa Maria
In the Azores. l gave him no reason,
nor did he ask one. He understood
that my purpose was worthy OF him
and the yacht, and obeyed me unques-
tioningly. AS for the men, they had
been engaged for a service which they
knew 70 have some measure OF risk
In it. n scale of pay, beyond anything
expected from the master of q yacht,
tempered their criticism and rewarded
their fidelity.
Timothy McShanus came into dinner
that night. He had found his sea legs
and his appetite and soup. fish and
bird disappeared like / o'clock. To
watch him drink S9 Bollinger from a
Venetian tumbler might have inspired
even the gods Of thirst. Groomed to
the last hair upon timeworn scalp.
Timothy would have served well for
the model of an Engllshman OF the go
as Paris used to see him.
"Phwat the blaZes does II all mean,
Fan, me bhoy A ship In such hurry
that she fires shot at we for looking
at her. Larry has told me the story
and, by my soul, tits astonishing! When
/ return to London next month"
You are contemplating a return.
then, timothy"
Faith! would We have so much
ganius buried I'M the dolldrums?"
I'VE shall have to pick up liner anu
put aboard" said ].
He set his cup down With bang and
looked at me as though had done him
an injury.
Its to the British Isles 70 are
bound. Would we deny it?"
Il do deny it, Timothy We are
bound to the Island of Santa Maria, in
the Azores"
For phwat the divil---"
But this mastery sentence he meyer
finished. 1 could see that he was
thinking deeply. Presently no settled
himself In his chair and began to talk
almost as one communing with himself
He takes me from London. me that
Is an orphan and has buried three
wives. He puts me on the sea and
shows me a wild mans country Ach,
tits wonderful man. me friend Fabos,
and none like onto him. AS lamb to
the shearing do / thread in his foot
steps"
Rather an old sheep, Timothy, is IL
not?"
He brushed the objection aside and,
lose style he had learned from ancient
melodrama, he exclaimed:
+ Women eternal--the crimes that are
committed in your name!"
DO you mean to say"
Il mean to say that we are going to
the Azores to see her."
Joan Fordibras?"
mo other. Joan Fordibras. The lit
tie devil OF q shepherdess in the red
dress. Ye are going to see her. Deny
II not. We are risking muah to see her
the knowledge We have learned out OF
Africa, the story We would tell to the
British government. Ye are losing
these because of the shepherdess. I'll
deny Ii. Fan Fabos, when We tell me It
Is not true"
"Then deny it now. Timothy. I am
going to tle Azores because I believe
that house there can finish a story
which the sea has begun. That is the
whole truth Of it. There are men
afioat In a ship, Timothy. who hide
and their plumber from the police Of
all cities. That is what had supposed,
and this voyage has gratified my sup
position. I am going to the Azores to
meet some OF these men face to face"
And Joan Fordibras?"
Il hope from my heart that I shall
never see her again."
"Ye hope nothing Of the kind, man.
IT'S lurking in yer heart, the thought
we for It, ! would not turn We from
your purpose for fortune upon the
table, poor divil Of a man that I am.
Go where we will, Fan Fabos, there's
one that will go with veto the worlds
end and back again and say that