The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-11-18

on the Mayhower, possessed aquatic
talent. Did he not jump overheard off
Plymouth Rock and swim ashore, thus
being the first man to land? Little
did he think that in so doing he was
setting an example to a great-great-
t-great-great. grandson! In
writing of the coming of the Pilgrims
took pains to make it clear that
they had left their homes because Of
British tyranny, and in dealing with
General Peters of Revolutionary fame
| saw to it that he had all the best of
it in numerous engagements with the
British, who surrendered to him by
platoons, companies, battalions, regi-
ments and brigades. The more ]
wrote the more | saw the possibilities
not only of my tale, but of myself as
a romantic novelist At the summons
of the supper-bell / left my work re
,luctantly
Resuming my efforts next day, l got
down to Peters himself, describing
infinitely his birth, parentage and
early education, dwelling with pyscho
logical emphasis upon his heredity
Irecklessness and prowess in the wa
ter, and closing with a fine burst Of
pathos in which l pictured Peters
battling with the tide as the smell oil
the Bostonia was fading, fading down
the night ! was proud of my com
position and of the way l had sus
tanned it through pages meant fol
many days of nautical observations
and hours meant for hauling bales Of
hay. i""
Days of work and nights of watch
| ing followed The captain did not
speak to me again throughout the voy
age, though he occasionally acknowl
edged my presence near him with 9
dismal sigh; the mate lowered, the
Ipurser positively grimaced, and the
cattlemen regarded me with a distant
curiosity. The sole exception to the
rule was Jerry My crime, it seemed
had made no difference to him.
In the middle of the watch on the
night before we sighted land he came
and sat beside me on a coil of rope.
Can We swim?" ne asked in his
odd, quayering little voice.
said I could.
"Far?" said he.
Fairly"
Three or four miles?'
81 think So"
Through the silence that followed
wondered what was in his mind.
q been afther finding out some
thing" he said presently. About hall
past two this marnin' we'd ought tC
be three miles off the coast of oult
Ireland. Therell be light on shore
with two white flashes"
Then we should get to Liverpool
tomorrow night" | said.
"Not nisissarily," said he. "Ye coult
slip over the side and swim ashore
I'd mate We in jamestown and give
We a lift"
That's darned good in you" said
but you see Peters is going to NEE
me in Liverpool"
OH" said Jerry blankly
Presently he rose. to his feet ant
laid hand on my shoulder.
81 been afther wantin' to tell ye
something" said he. 81 killed a mar
out in British Columbia Niver minC
why. They be wantin me out there
Dye see?"
got up and took him by the hand
IT'S mighty friendly of you to men
tion it," l said, "and if had anythins
to tell I'd tell you right now. But yol
see l haven't, so i"
"Oh, all right" he broke in hurried
ly. Il wasn't afther pryin', y onder
stand"
Then he went away. He was a sen
sitive and kindly little murderer
Somehow l felt that had not thank
ed him half enough
A cold, dismal rain was beating OF
the decks when late on the followinl
afternoon we ran up the Mersey. Al
scanned the distant shore through
portfolio two sailors came and stooc
beside me. When we drew near
braved the rain out on the open decl
to get better view The sailors fol