The Mena weekly star., 1919-10-09

muzzle Of pistol looked straight into
my eyes. The hand holding 1t was
firm, the face fronting me savagely
| sardonic.
I'D like to KIN you. Carlyle" he
Kissed hatefully. by God, / don't
know why shouldn't. Every time
look at you see her face. If you take
a step nearer pull the trigger--go 7"
1t was hard pull back TO the Santa
Marie. Dorothy greeted me first, and
we stood close together at the rail as
the men hoisted the chest on deck.
She said nothing. asked nothing, but
her hands chung to my arm, and when
ever | turned toward her our eyes met.
There was sudden cry forward
and voice shouted:
"There she goes, buckiesl That's
the last o. the Namur |"
| turned swiftly. my hand grasping
her fingers as they chung to the rail-
The battered hulk slid downward, the
deck breaking amidships as the stern
splashed into the depths; then that
also toppled over, leaving nothing
above water except the blunt END Of a
broken bowsprit. and tangle OF
wreckage tossed about on the crest
OF the waves l watched breathlessly,
unable to inter sound; | could only
think of that stricken man In the cabin,
those wild eyes which hau threatened
me. He was gone now--gonel
yet held Dorothy hand tightly
ciasped in my own, and the depths Of
her uplifted eyes questioned me.
I'VE will 20 aft. dear, and will tell
you the whole story" | said gently,
"for now we are homeward bound"
write these few closing lines year
later In the cabin of the Ocean Spray,
three master, full TO the matches
with a cargo OF tobacco, bound for
London, and market. Dorothy is on
necK, eagerly vaTching TOR rne first
glimpse OF the chalk cliffs of old
England. | must Join her presently
yet finger below TO add these final sen.
fences.
There is, after all. little which needs
70 be said The voyage Of the Santa
Marie north proved uneventful, and,
after that first night OF storm.- the
weather held peasant ana the sea
fairly smooth. had some trouble with
the men. but nothing serious, as Wat.
kins and Haines held as / did and the
pledge of Dorothy's Influence brought
courage. 1 refused to open the chest,
believing our safety. and chance of
pardon. would depend largely on ouI
handing this over in good faith TO the
authorities. Watkins and / guarded
1t night and day until the schooner
rounded the cape and came into the
Chesapeake. No attempt was made
to find quarters below. the entire crew
sleeping on deck. Dorothy comfortable
on the flag locker.
II was scarcely sunrise, CT the ssss
day, whsn we dropped anchor against
the current OF the James, our sails
furled and the red English coiors fly.
ing from the peak. Two hours later
the entire company were In the pres.
ence of the governor, where | told my
story. gravely listened TO. supplement
ed by the earnest plea of the young
woman | shall never forget that
scene. or how breathlessly we awaited
the decision Of the great man, who 50
closely watched our faces. They were
surely strange. rough group as they
stood thus, hats in hand, waiting to
learn their fate, shaggy-naired, un.
shaven. largely scum OF the sea, never
before in such presence. shufiiing un
easily before his glance. feeling to the
full the peril of their position. Their
eyes turned to me questioningIy.
Opposite us, behind long table, sat
the governor. dignified, austere. his
hair powdered and face smoothly
snaven. while on either side of him
were those Of his council, many OF the
faces stern and unforgiving. But fol
their gracious reception of Dorothy
and their careful attention to her
words | should have lost heart. They
questioned me shrewdly, although the
governor spoke but seldom, and then
in kindly tone of sympathy and I'M
Outstanding. One by one the men
were called forward, each in turn com
PEELED to tell briefly the story of his
life; and when all Was done the eyes
of the governor sought those of the
council
You have all alike heard the tale
gentlemen he said. Nothing like ii
hath ever before been brought before
this colony. Would you leave decision
to met"
There was a murmur of assent, as
though they were thus gladly relieved
of responsibility in so serious mat,
ter. The governor smiled, his kindly
eyes surveying us once more; then.
with extended hand he babe Dorothy
be seated.
THE story is seemingly an honest
one" he said slowly. s'and these sea
men have done a great service to the
colony. They deserve reward rather
than punishment. The fair lady who
pleads for them is known to us all
and to even question her word is inn.
possible. Unfortunatel, have NOT
the power of pardon in cases of piracy
nor authority to free bond slaves, with.
out the approval of the home govern.