Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1923-01-03
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WySIAg{ By R5ael Sabafnt
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By Rafael Sabafirrt
@PAyAEL SABkIINl
Appch NEA EpNcE.ysa

I design, Peter Blood came striding
down the wharf full half-hour
earlier than usual. and so met Miss
Bishop Just Issuing from the shed.
He doffed his hat and stood aside to
give her passage. She took II, chin
in the air, and eyes which disdained
to look anywhere where the sight OF
him was possible.
As he was leaving an hour or so
later, Whacker. the younger OF the
other two physicians, Joined him--an
unprecedented condescension this
for hitherto neither of them had ad-
dressed him beyond an occasional
and sturdy ''good-dAyl"
IF you are for Colonel Bishops
I'll walk with you little way, Doc
tor Blood" said he.
DR.. Whacker drew closer 20 him
as they stepped along the wharf. He
lowered his voice 70 a confidential
tone.
How often have not seen you
starting out over the sea, your soul
in your eyesi Don't I know what
YOU are thinking? II you could
escape from this hell OF slavery, you
could exercise the profession OF
which you are an ornament as a
free man with pleasure and profit
to yourself. Lower still came the
voice until II was no more than a
whisper. 1T is none so far now 20
the Dutch settlement OF Curacao.
At this time Of the year the voyags
may safely be undertaken in a light
craft. And Curacao need be no
more than a stepping-stone to the
great world, which would lie open 70
you once you were delivered from
this bondage"
II have no money. And for that |
a handsome sum would be neces- |
sary."
Whilst DR.. Whacker was profess
sing that his heart bled for brother
doctor ianguishing in slavery, Peter
Blood bounced like a hawk upon tina
obvious truth. Whacker and his
colleague desired to be rid OF one
who threatened to ruin them.
Blood laughed. IT 1 should be
'aught and brought back, they'd clip
ny wings and brand me for life"
Surely the thing is worth a little
riskT More tumulous than ever
vas the tgmpter's voice.
Surely" Blood agreed. but Il
lsks more than courage. Il asks
money. A sloop might be bought for
wenty pounds, perhaps"
1T shall be forthcoming. II shall
Ie a loan, which you shall repay us
repay me, when you can"
That betraying "us" 80 hastily re-
rieved completed Blood's under
landing. The other doctor was also
n the business.
They were approaching the peo-
lied part of the mole. Quickly, but
loquently Blood expressed his
hanks. where he knew that no
hanks were due.
I'VE will talk OF this again. sir
omorrow," he concluded. You
nave opened for me the gates OF
rope"
He was in haste now 10 be alone.
Also he must consult another. AL
'eady he had hit upon that other.
For such a voyage navigator would
,e necessary. and a navigator was
eady TO his hand in Jeremy Pitt. As
! result Blood was betimes that
.vening in the spacious stockade
hat enclosed the huts of the slaves
ogether with the big white house OF
ha ,s-akeaar ana he Sauna - ~ !
'ortunity Of a few words with Pitt,
Inobserved by the others
Tonight when all are asleep,
ONE 10 my cabin. have some
hing 10 say 10 you"
The six months of plantation life
d Barbados had made an almost
ragic mark upon the young seaman.
lis erstwhile bright alertness was
Il departed. His face was growing
acuous, his eyes we're dull and
and he moved IN a
ringing. furtive manner. like an
ver-beaten dog. But the man was
I'll there. not yet dormant. but
lerely torpid from a surfeit OF des-
air; and the man in him promptly
hook of that torpidity and awoke
. the first words Blood spoke to him
tat night-awoke and wept.
"Escspe2" he painted. 20 Cod"
-e took MS head in his hands. and
81 20 Eobbing Ike a child.
Among The privileges enjoyed by
Iood was that Of hut 70 himself,
I'd thsy we're alone In this.
CONFINED in Our Next Issue)