Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-28
BY coUvERNEUR MORRIS
Copyright Charles scribner,s sons1
ICopyright, Chal
You gentlemen of England
That dive at home at ease,
How little do you think upon
Tho annonr az H. nonni

The danger of the seas!
When the stretch of waves between
the white coast of Britain and the
oaken sides of the Hynd Horn had
widened to an impossibility for the
most enduring swimmer, the two
mariners with pistols in their sashes
quilted the presence of Mr.. England,
70 which they had chung with per-
tinacity ever since the elegantly
bucked shoe of that gentleman had
frst touched the deck. Mr.. England
smiled with sweetness after the last
disappearing hall-marks of his vari-
GUS misdemeanors, and seated him
self on the rail, where he balanced
so alluringly, that the ships cat
ieaped to his knee, purring.
20, cat said Mr. England, I'm
the course of your nine lives, have
you ever been hanged?"
The cat yawned and elevated his
ample tail.
And was it PAINFUL" said Mr..
England.
Mr.. England sighed and looked back
on that fast sinking shore where he
and his crimes and the law had all
met in the same ale-house.
Feline" said Mr. England, II am
to be judged where l was born
hanged where l was bred, and buried
where four roads cross, with a stake
through my susceptible heart, and a
devil to make me dream"
Mr.. England unused with half4shut
eyes.
"Ah, Mr. England" said the cap
tain, coming up, you are comfort
able trust, in body and mind?"
THE sea does not make me sick
in body said Mr.. England, r"nether
do my thoughts make me sick in
mind; but / am sick at heart, for I
have not yet been presented to Lady
Pelham, and on that straight, short
road which is between me and the
gallows there is no other petticoat in
view
II deplore," said the captain, that
duty which causes me to dis-oblige
a gentleman whom 7 frankly like and
to deprive a lady, whose loneliness
myself can do little to alleviate, of
his charming society"
But surely" said Mr.. England,
"there would be no harm done Has
crime peck marked me? Am l
loathsome? And can yau not, sir,
consider me at all? A few weeks
a short trial-a speedy hangman-a
dead England How gayly could
those weeks be passed in the near
ness Of beautiful LADY, Would you
send me onward, my captain, with no
gentle memories"
'Mr England" said the captain,
moved, my duty is as plain as the
north star on a clear night; but in
utmost sincerity your sentiments are
tearing my mind"
LET me appeal to her great
graciousness," said Mr.. England.
"Let me tell her who and what am,
and then, if she stand for me-"
"You will tell her who and what
you are?" said the captain, weaken
Ing.
my word" said Mr. England. "At
the worst, she can but spurn and
tiespise me and I shall have played
the story telling Moor"
you shall have your chance" said
the captain. And now, see, she
comes hither." 80
"Her eyes are like the morning."
said Mr.. England. And he added:
~ will lay my best gilt buckles
against half-dozen of your Bur-
gundy that the lady takes the part
of the pirate.
Mr. England" said Lady Pelham.
jestingly, "the time Is come when
you did promise to confess your
manifold sins and wickedness before
all men"
The time was night The full
moons sweet light radiated across
the dancing sea, and the white sails
of the Hynd Horn were lighted by
II.
Mr.. England held up his head
proudly, and Lady Pelham clasped
her pretty little hands attentively.
Lady Pelham" said Mr.. England,
ait is a poor thing that boasts of It's
own gallantry. but / have been no
stranger to blows, nor wild beasts,
of which some were lions and SER
pents. and some men. l ask you to
believe that l have never run away.
But now l would fain run from you,
for what I have to tell will lower
me unspeakably in your gracious
sight"
II will pardon my courtier in ad-
vance," said Lady Pelham, for i
need his service"
She looked up at him with Won
derful girlish sweetness
Down to the southwark" con-
tinued Mr.. England, there was an
island of the sea. Seen from above,
1t was like an outstretched hand
upon the waters; long, safe harbors
were between its fingers, and the
Ave lsnuckles were redoubtable noun
tains, susceptible to rare defenses.
In the harbors of that island was
great safety and hiding-p place for
certain ship, and on the shores were
deep-thatched homes for men. There
were store houses full of silks and
satins and brocades. and spices. and
all good things. Many chest of
gold and silver was in the keeping
of the strong sands.
Lady Pelham settled deeper to the
mystery of listening.
There was a ship" said Mr.. Eng
land, $50 shapely and served with
such cunning sails that not one other
ship in all the world was so swift
upon the seas. The ship was manned
by a crew of hundred men, and
captained by a devil"
Lady Pelham shifted uneasily
Nov, what manner of kingdom
was that. Lady Pelham2" said Mr..
England. whence came those satins
and brocades, those chests of gold?
What manner of men lived in those
matched homes and sailed that
ship? What manner of man was
their captain? I will tell you, Lady
Pelham. We were bloody pirates, and