The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-08

| ened her with dram. 1 As it was summer and not far from the line, I had not brought the boat i cloak with us. I had not even worn my sailor jacket, but my waistcoat was heavy and warm, and I was thankful that I had it. I took it off and, despite her protestations, slipped it on her. In g1rth it was big enough to encircIe her twice, which was all the better for her comfort. drew it around to cover her breast with a dou- bIe fold, and with a length of line had in my pocket made it fast. We sat close together and talked in low whispers, and I thrilled at the contact of her sweet presence in spite of our peril
 How long we talked or how long we waited have no means of telling. It grew dark in the cave very early, and when I ventured into the outside room after what seemed an intermin- able wait, I found night had fallen. I felt pretty sure that we need appre- bend no attack that night, and yet it was necessary to keep watch, so I proposed that one of us should sleep while the other listened. Naturally she was the first to take rest It was too damp and cold to lie down on the
 
 of the least routed of the chests, whose shape had been kept intact by the pile of gold and silver bars, and some what hesitatfngly offered her the shel- ter of my arms.
 Madam I said, with all the for mality could muster, +'you must have sleep. You cannot lie upon this damp sand, and it is bad enough to sit upon it, but upon my shoulder and within the support of my arms you shall have rest. I swear to you''-
 Swear not,'' she replied, coming closer to me. 'I trust you, and if am to sleep know that will be safe within your arns.''
 'As my sister, had I one, or as my mother, were she here, will I support you,'' said I.
 Before she closed her eyes she made her evening prayer for herself and for me, and then she made me promise that I would awaken her when judged it to be midnight, and, upon my promise, without more to do she nestled down and went to sleep, her head upon my shoulder
 Surely, never had man greater com pliment paid him than I by that maid that night
 I sat there motionless, my barred sword at my side, listening. I could hear nothing, no sound except her soft breathing and once in awhile the sough of the night wind through the trees outside, which penetrated faintly into the cave, and at infrequent inter- vaIs the cry of some night bird came to me, but there was no sound of hu- manity.
 How long we sat there know not. It was my purpose to keep awake the night through, and think must have kept awake the greater part thereof, but toward morning my head dropped back on the pile of ingots, and fell asleep. Yet I did not relax my clasp upon the sleeping figure lying upon my breast. It was she who awakened when the dim light began to stft through the narrow opening into the little cave where we sat.
 Master Hampdon," she said, bend ing over me, having arisen without disturbing me, '+it is morning.
 I sprang to my feet instantly, as she shook me gently and grasped my sword as I did so, whereat she laughed.
 ''Why did you not awaken mel" she asked reprovingly-
 q don't know. I must have''- began in great confusion.
 You must have gone to sleep your self,'' she laughed.
 "I am ashamed,'' I replied, ''that should have failed in my duty to keep good watch. I didn't awake you when I might because you needed sleep your self, and then, like a big animal, went to sleep myself.'
 q am glad,'' she said, smiling at me, and I could just see her lovely face faintly in the dark twilight of the cave, that you did and nothing happened"
 ''It is just as well then,' I said, snil- ing in turn, i've have both slept feel greatly refreshed"
 And I.''
 ''Thank Godp' I said ferventIy.
 'What is to be done now?" she esked.
 First breakfast"
 I broke open a cocoanut with my ax. I had become expert at it, and we had food and drink in plenty and for va riety some of the hard bread which still remained which I had brought with us and other fruit. I lighted the lantern for a moment and went toward the sound of the falling water. The cocoanut shell made an excellent cup, and I brought her enough clear, cool, sweet water to lave her face and