Evening star., 1924-11-27

and acknowledgements from the Old
World, and all the other types of the
human family that converted the
quays of Cayona into a disreputable
image of Babel.
Winning clear at last, and after diff
f1culties, Capt. Blood took his way
alone to the fine house of NJ. d'Ogeron,
there to pay his respects to his
friends. the governor and the gov
ernor's family.
At first the buccaneers jumped to
the conclusion that Wolverstone was
following with some rare prize of
war, but gradually from the reduced
crew of the Arabella a very different
tale leaked out to stem their salts
faction and convert IT into perplexity
Partly out of loyalty to their cap
tain, partly because they perceived
that il he was guilty of detection
they were guilty with him, and
partly because being simple, sturdy
men of their hands, they were them
selves in the main a little confused
as to what really had happened, the
crew of the Arabella practiced reti-
cence with their brethren in TORI
tuga during those two days before
Wolverstone's arrival. But they were
not reticent enough to prevent the
circulation of certain uneasy rumors
and extravagant stories OF discredit-
able adventures-discred that
is, from the buccaneering point of
view-of which Capt Blood had been
guilty.
But that Wolverstone came when
he did, it Is possible that there would
have been an explosion. When, how
ever, the Old Wolf cast anchor in the
bay two days later 1t was to him all
ho nj
about to demand of Blood
Now Wolverstone had only one eye:
but he saw a deal more with that
one eye than do most men with two;
and despite his grizzled head-so pic
turesquely swathed in a green and
scarlet turban-he had the sound
heart Of a boy, and in that heart
much love for Peter Blood.
The sight Of the ArabelIa at anchor
in the bay had at first amazed him as
he sailed around the rocky headland
that bore the fort. He rubbed his
single eye clear of any deceiving Aim
and looked again. Still he could not
believe what it saw. And then a. voice
at his elbow-the voice Of Dyke, who
had elected to sail with him-assured
him that he was not singular in his
bewilderment
In the name Of Heaven, is that
the Arabella or is 1t the ghost of
her?"
The Old Wolf rolled his single eye
over Dyke and opened his mouth
to speak. Then he closed it again
without having spoken: closed it
tightly. He had a great gift of eau
tion, especially in matters that he
did not understand. That this was
the Arabella he could no longer doubt.
That being so, he must think before
he spoke. What the devil should the
Arabella be doing here, when he had
left her in Jamaica? And was Capt.
Blood aboard and in command, or had
the remainder Of her hands made off
with her. leaving the captain in Port
Royal?
Dyke repeated his question. This
time Wolverstone answered him.
"Ye've two eyes to see with, and
ye ask me, who's only got one, what
it Is ye see!'
But I see the Arabella"
"Of course, since there she rides.
What else was you expecting7"
"Expecttng" Dyke stared at him,
open-mouthed. WAS you expecting
to find the Arabella herer
Wolverstone looked him over in
contempt, then laughed and spoke
loud enough to be heard by all around
him.
"Of course. What else" And he
laughed again. a laugh that seemed
to Dyke to be calling him a fool.
On that Wolverstone turned to give
his attention to the operation of
anchoring.
Anon when ashore he was be-
set by questioning buccaneers, it
was from their very questions that
he gathered exactly how matters
thnf
from lack of courage or other mo-
tive Blood himself had refused
to render any account of his doings
since the Arabella had separated
from her sister ships. Wolverstone
congratulated himself upon the dis
cretion he had used with Dyke
L. NJ