Year: 1874

increased 10 mucn gfeaCer ueBree Ol ln-
science when he addressed the Captain.
Meanwhile the rest of us contented our
selves with watching and awaiting the
issue Valmy certainly did not seem like
the man who could endure very much Of
this treatment.


For several days the Major went on
growing worse and worse, every day. He
would interrupt the Captain in his remarks
in the rudest manner--he would turn his
back upon him liz the most offensive way
possible, and when he spoke TO him he
would address him in loud and offensive,
and, at last, in peremptory manner.


The secret of the Majors hatred seemed
to be the interest which Ida Greville took
in the Captain. She seemed to take more
delight in talking with him than any other.
Early in the morning she would be out on
deck listening to the Captain, who with
never-tiring patience and eloquent Ian
guage, would explain to her the wonders of
the sea, and relate thousand wild stories
of events which had occurred among these
waters.


Late at evening, too he would show her
the stars by which, in critical times, the
navigators would guide their courses, and
still excite her never-flagging attention.
Indeed, the wonderful beauty of Captain
Valmy's stories and his great stores of
knowledge of every kind, was the admira-
tion of all the passengers. This was only
equaled by the subordination and respect
of all the crew, who treated him with re-
markable obedience. Yet all this only
increased the hatred of the Major. Through
the day he endeavored to fascinate and
charm the fair Ida, and then, while the
Captain was at his duties about the ship,
he was without rival Sometimes, how
ever, word would pass between Ida and
the Captain, and that would enrage the
MajoS beyond measure. 1t was evident
that matters were rapidly approaching
crisis.


AT the dinner table one day the Major
coolly took away the meat which the Cap
tain was accustomed to carve, sat down in
the Captains place, and calmly began to
serve the meat The Captain entered, and
without word turned away. But there
was burning spot upon his cheek, and
strange fire in his eye. We wondered at
him. Was he a coward The Major sneer-
ingly insinuated as much to Ida, who flush
ed crimson. Captain Valmy sat at the
the table with us no more. .


But the Major was not going to let him
off so easily as this. He had other things
in store for him. He talked more loudly
and contemptuously Of the Captain. lie
made sneering illusions to his stature,
and ironical remarks about his bravery.
Once he climbed up to the cradle where
the Captain was taking an observation be-
low, and threw some handfuis of oakum
down upon him. At another time he con-
trived to upset pail of water which
stood upon the quarterback, in such way
that it nearly all fell upon the Captain. He
turned frightfully pale; we saw the gigan-
tic struggle which took place within, and
some of us trembled to see the fearful con-
test. Yet he calmly whistled tune and
walked away.


He never came into the cabin now. He
was insulted so constantly by the Major
that he stayed away as muck as possible
For the rest of us we had long ago conclu-
ded that he was incapable of taking offense,
and, though sorry for him, we considered
him capable of taking his own part, and,
in fact, we considered it none Of our busi-
ness.


lda-the beautiful Ida-at length turned
from him. Surprised, shocked thousand
times at his want of manliness, slAe was at
first cool with him, and, at length no longer
sought his company. This seemed the fin
ishing blow to the Captain


We had been out fortnight. One
morning the sun seemed beautiful and
calm, yet storm seem brewing upon the
skirts of the horizon, and dark suspicious
clouds hung threateningly there.


Captain Valmy was calm, impenetrable
as ever, He appeared as unmoyed and as
pieasantas as If nothing had occurred to ruffie
the harmony Of the scene. Ida stood by
the stern, looking out upon the sea which
surrounded them, which was as smooth
as glass. The Captain approached her.


" The water is very smooth to-day, Miss
Greyille, said he. Are you not surprised
at it9"


Coldly and haughtily she turned upon
him. A thousand expressions showed
themselves in her face. She murmured a