Year: 1873

owners were old friends of my father


through whose influence obtained tht


situation.


had been married but a short time


when the order arrived, which forced


me to leave the arms of my faintine


bride and hurry to the city, where the
ship was in readiness to proceed to sea-
The captain came on board when we
were well down the bay, and as he
stepped over the rail the pilot bade us
farewell, and the last link that bound
us to our native land was severed.


/ felt a strange thrill, a feeling OF
disappointment, when l recognized in
the captain an old schoolmate and for.
mer lover of my wife's. had disliked
him from boy; in the village, and at
school he had the name, character and
characteristics of bully He had tried
in vain to win the hand of Helen May,
who repulsed him with loathing that
could scarcely be concealed. 1t was
said that he uttered threats of venge-
ance against us both, when 1 had sue
ceeded in capturing the prize but l
paid no attention to the gossip, as /
never supposed that our paths in life
would bring us in contact.


A deep, dark scowl rested on his
handsome, reckless features, as advanc-
ing toward me, he said:


'1n what capacity are you aboard of
this ship?"


"Supercargo, Captain Watson"


Every we'll, Jack Richmond, / am
captain, remember that fact :; perhaps 1
shall have occasion to remind you of it
before this voyage is over. 1 feel that
am in debt to you"


knew what he was driving at, but I
would not allow him to think for an in
slant that l felt uncomfortable, so as
suming a careless air, replied


Fate, Captain Watson, has thrown
us together; it was none of my seeking,
1 assure you; but know my duty, and
shall discharge all the requirements of
my Office, looking to the owners of this
vessel, and not to you, for appreciation.
As for matters that are past and gone,
if you choose to treasure up hard feel
ings, of course l am not to blame. l am
competent to take care of myself, and /
neither care for your friendship nor
hatred"


BOLD words, Jack Richmond, bold
words. Take care, or we'll have trouble
before our jackets are wet with salt
water"


''No, sir; shall not quarrel"


"a wise conclusion"


/ could see the devil lurking in the
depths of his large dark eyes. but his
attention was called away by the mate.
For time he was busy with the Sultan,
being anxious to gain an offing before
night.


The manner in which he cursed the
men, raving and stamping around the
quarterback, convinced me that my life
on board the Sultan would be anything
but pleasant Had it been possible, I
would have cancelled my engagement
and left the ship; but it was too late,
and the hills of my country were rapidly
receding from view.


The voyage proceeded without any
incident occurring worthy of note, un-
less it was the rounding of the cape,
and favored with good winds, together
with fair weather, the Sultan bid fair to
make a passage that would reflect
credit on all concerned. Captain Wat
son seldom addressed me except when
absolutely compelled, seeming to avoid
and shun me, with which behavior /
was secretly pleased, thinking that so
long as We remained apart there was
but little possibility of our having any
/ trouble. / was watchful and guarded
in all my actions, being convinced that
Watson only lacked the opportunity to
wreak his vengeance and hate upon me.
The weather was warm and sultry, so
much so that l was forced to move my
desk from the state room | occupied to
the cabin. l was busy with my accounts
papers, etc, never once dreaming of
giving offense, when quick heavy step
slant my desk was sent spinning in one
direction, while / was whirled in
another.


"Confound your impudence :" were
the first words / heard as L gathered !
myself up, and collected my shattered !
senses. "Who gave you permission to
clutter up my cabin, turning it into an
office? ana strongly tempted to kick
you on deck, you sneaking, quill driv-
ing. good for nothing land crab"


found myself confronted by Watson,
who was fuming and frothing in impo- !
tent fury His breath was almost ex- /
hausted after delivering this beautiful |
harangue to which listened, my blood |
boiling with rage.


Completely losing my temper, forget
full of all rules of caution, L planted a
blow full in the bully's face that caused
him to reel and stagger while the blood
spurted forth as sufficient evidence of
the force of my attack. With cry like |
an enraged bull, he recovered himself
and snatched up a chair, bringing it |
down on my head with crushing vio-
lence.


1t must have rendered me insensible,
for when next L was able to think, act
and see for myself, was lying in my
stateroom, with dull, aching sensation
in my head, l attempted to lift my
hands, but to my intense indignation,
they were handcuffed. The rascal had
put me in irons while lay insensible.


A week passed by, during which he
had the effrontery to place me on bread
and water, all of which indignlties /
inwardly resolved should be resented
when had the opportunity.


One night l was awakened by the
tramping of men as they hurried to and
fro, while the oaths of Watson, the
thumps of heavy sea under the coun-
ter, and an occasional pitch and roll of
the Sultan were sufficient indications
that gale of wind was blowing. With
caution and considerable man9uvering,
L finally succeeded in gaining the cabin
door, and standing in the narrow COM
panionway glanced cautiously forth.


The heavens were entirely obscured;
not star or ray of light was visible,
except the vivid flashes of lightning
which lit up the dark background with
an intense glare followed by the low
mutter and growing of the distant
thunder, and darkness ten times more
profound than before the fash. The
sea was rising rapidly, and occasionally
the white crests of an angry billow could
be seen looming up in the darkness as
it hissed and frothed alongside. With
an anxious ear 1 listened to the howl
and rush of the gale, as it whistled