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Show ona Clad of tin and ahelter. f Kara JoneaT1 you a place for me t, "Sartain, ledge. Wee al'aye a place fer ye an a plate an mug. Ye ahall bev a amokin' cupper ter eort o' straighten yo out, an yell take off yer thengs an her em dried. Hyare a mug flint ter brace ye. Ets a powBy W. CLARK RUSSELL. erful bad night U this," , Thank you, Green aald. "Youre Copyright, in?, by F. F. Colli at. host, Jonea. It la a Copyright. ISW. by Dodd. Mead I Co. pleasant to feel one la ao heartily welcome." CHAPTER IX. would have been honored by the presHe drew up the chair Jones placed You ence of so great a nobleman. for him, merely noticing the man in events Ths the Bellona. after doubtless are fatigued manner. the simplest The pleasure craft Pope had board- of the day; would your lordship like now, Jedge?" "How la Johnslng was by no means a rich one. Her to withdraw? uidle asked, slowly. He was privil- ed name was the Bellona; she waa from Where am I to Bleep?" nays the not one was be of those eged to ask; Terceira; the countess and two nieces Earl, with a start, revolving his great who rescued the man? "Unconscious. Green replied, grave- had been left to winter among the nose slowly In a survey of the plain The doctors dare not leave him oranges and sweet winds of an Is- Interior. ly. land. There," answered Pope, pointing, for a moment. He is in a critical state The Ear had several occasions to Is a comfortable little berth your movement least and the might prove go home; one was a parliamentary lordship la an old" soldier a bolster fatal." Have theys sot bis broke bones, need, and lo! behold his lordship's and a blanket Lord Fltzglbbon waved hla hand, stately figure In the thick of hla dasjedge? Sadler asked, respectfully. crew, being rowed away by pi- upon which Pope, strangely enough "Yes," Green replied, stretching his tardly rates to a little armed brig, while for the first time, took notice of a the two captains sacked his vesseL very handsome ring. But they found very little. The "My lord, says the captain with a hairy scoundrels grew wanton In dis- change of face, I must trouble you to appointment and roared out blasphe- give me that ring. mies as they smashed the mirrors and It seemed for a moment as though ripped through the cushions with their the Earl would expostulate, then with cutlasses. It was almost dark when such a countenance as one might conthey hod secured the available plunder, ceive on a Judge who by some scurvy among which was a considerable store transition of fortune la convicted by of provisions, fine wine, brandies, and the felon he should have sentenced, champagne, and a small quantity of he drew off the splendid ruby, and live stock, chiefly poultry. The booty Captain Pope with a bow put it In his was taken on board the brig by Crys- pocket. tal. See to his lordships wants, said that's Pope remained with a few men to Pope to the cabin servant; provide for the extermination of the hla berth, and he went on deck. "Where are the schooners people?" pleasure craft. In a small carpenter's chest in the forecastle they found an he asked. Some are below In the tween-deckauger. With this tool one of the sailors who understood carpentry, waa was the answer. dispatched by Pope into the hold, there Some, including the lords vale to drill to starboard and larboard, four were forward. The captain of the holes under water In the vessel's aide. schooner had been knocked about. While the wretch was thus employed, On an empty stomach, aa I reckon, the others lighted a lantern and hoist- the bloomed cuss had taken in half a ed it by the signal halyards to the pint of gin, forced to It by the good main topmast head. nature of our men. This set him abusAfter the holes had been bored, they in' of our callin' and I hope his left all stood a minute at the coamings eye aint been quenched. Did he make a good stand?" wet feet toward the fire and enjoying ofthe ha(ch to listen to the noise of As good aa a man can make agin its warmth and rest after the dreary the water running In. Then Pope five too many, himself mucked up with lngs out: day. "They have set his right leg men. In with us, liquor. hava will and his arm, but his left leg And dropping Into the boat, they He shall join us if he is a fighter. to be amputated near the hip." aboard the brig. rowed said Pope, and we'U send John A silence fell over them. A sort of The crew of the Bellona were adrift. I want more men. awed silence It was, at thought of all It meant And it was the same man who stood In their mldBt but three days before, powerful of muscle, with cords like an oak, vowing vengeance upon thin young man who had saved his life. "The leg should have been amputated at once, for It was in a terrible condition, but the doctors dared not do It; in his weak state it might prove fatal. they hope to do it His daughter knows nothing at his critical condition, and they wish her not to know. The waiting amf suspense have told much on her already, and she must have no more excitement at present" An ho's goln' ter lose his leg?" Lodle asked, slowly. Et's goln' ter be reyther hyard on ther gal as well as Jolinsing, 'pears ter me. Who'll take care of em, I'd like ter know? "They'll be taken care of," young Green replied, quietly, a touch of color in his face to hear these rough men speaking of these things in regard to such a woman as Dolores Johnson. But It Is doubtful about Johnson A "You ahall be aent home, said Pope. having to be taken care of many days. Crystal had been In charge from Mrs. Jonos came to the door and massed In the forepart. It went swiftbeen had schooner till four. He was now about the that ly midnight to His him. supper was ready spoke scuttled; and the pirates overhung turned In again, bravely snoring to if he cared to have it then. As ho arose to obey the summons the bulwarks waiting for her to go the melody of the tiller ropes, and Tom Smith asked, gruffly, It might down. At last she sank. She had the ugly devil Grlndal walked the out of deck. When the dawn broke he turned be out of bravado to hide his real filled rapidly, and the melting and the downward his gaze astern, and the first sight he her shape, shadowy feelings: to Ef Johnslng dies what Txmt ther flight of her lantern and its sudden beheld was a large ship extinction In the smoky gloom which the very height of her main-royatrial ower yander, jedge?" ocean vision Good thunder! A Yankee," says Green faced him with a look the overlay the sea, made an the boatswain; he had the most inmen never forgot, as hs replied, that had enough of awe, mystery and terror In It to subdue Into brief si- terpreting eye for a ship that ever sharply: blackvillain winked. She was coming up "What is a mare's life to that of a lence even the swarm of rough who watched. hand over fist, a noblo sight as her man, Smith? You had best let that guards The brig was rounded away for the 8tirless sails, sweetly shadowed, soft matter drop till this is settled." course which John Spaniard was to as penciling at their leeches, by the (To be continued.) traverse, and Captain Pope, stopping growing light In the east, swelled IS HIS OWN GRANDFATHER. up to the Earl, made him a polite like yearning breasts one above anbow, and begged the honor of his com- other. bowing stately to each white leap of water which blew in mist from Mixpany at supper In the cabin. Neapolitan With Most Strangely ed Lineage. The nobleman followed the captain the thrust of the stein, blackening the Beppo Bruzonl, a Neapolitan sailor, and they sat down to a meal of cold canvas forward. Many besides the lier Is a living proof of the fact that a food which had been plundered from boatswain were now watchiug man can be his own grandfather. the snow. Champagne and wine were meteoric passage; among them was I married. he said, a widow, and put upon the table liy the cabin man; the Earl, who looked as if he had not she had by first husband a handsome the Earl knew to whom those bottles slept, and Captain Pope. "Captain Pope!" exclaimed the Earl, girl named Silvletta, with whom my had belonged. father fell In love and who became "I would thank you. Captain Pope, with majestic fervor, "would it not be for you to transfer me and his second wife. Thus my father be- as I gather your name Is. he said, possible came my and my step- "to toll me how you propose I am to my people to yonder vessel? She would receive me for the consideradaughter became my mother, since return home, and when?" tion I would offer." she had married my father. Soon af"We must wait upon the chances of terwards my wife gave birth to a son, "We will keep you for that considin his the sea. my lord." replied Pope who became my father's eration. answered Pope. "We are Your is manner. person and at the same time my unele, since pleasantest now your friends, and you know we safe." he was my brother. are gentlemen In need of what yonder The Earl made a stiff motion with fellow has doubtless But that was not all, for in due plenty of. Dotime my fathers wife also gave birth his head. llars, my lord, dollars! It shall not be We're gentlemen." says to a boy. who was my brother and long before you are sent home, and also my step-son- , slnre he wu the Crystal, breaking In with a hiccough. you are a man of groat honor. von of my daughter. My wife was also "Would have us starve ashore when Lord Fltzglbbon stored at him like my grandmother, and thus I was my there are plenty of rich pearly oys- an eagle. He read some further Intent wife's husband and at the same time ters washing along at sea waiting for in the toll and handsome pirates faro her grandson. Finally, as the husband our cutlasses to open them?" and hla brows gathered into a bush "'i pu do not spare your of a person's grandmother Is naturally over his groat nose. says the Earl. that person's grandfather, I am my They could not walk that staggeranswered none." have Pope, We own grandfather." Household Words. "Poverty has no country. ing. bounding deck, and a little before grimly. This Is excellent champagne; let me breakfast Captain Iope, grasping the The True American 8plrlt Earl by the arm to steady him, conIt la a genuine refreshment to the fill your lordship's glass. ducted him into the cabin. Here Where are you bound to, gentlesoul nowadays to meet a man who were Joined by Crystal. Earl. they said the men?" I wart work and It does not says: "You took a ring from me yesteranswered "To the devil, I fear! matter what it Is, so long as It u honest and fairly paid for! Thera are Pope. "Clear that stuff up, continued day, said the Earl, at which saying It is an heirloom, men whose courage and nobility were he, addressing the rabin man, and Crystal glared. and I treasure It. Will you suffer me .ever inspected when they wars pros- put fiddles upon the table. The supiK-- r was ended. Crystal, to purchase It from you? I will write perous, who, when adversity cams upon them, threw off their costs and with a bottle of champagne in his an order upon my bankers for a hundred guineas." pride and are working at Jobs tbay head, withdrew to his narrow couch. For two hundred It shall be yours, said: used to give as favors to othar mem Pope "I little thought this bumble cable said Caotoln Pope. Atlanta Constitution. Ths Earl bowed. Piracy was on stilte this windy morning. What ring are ye talking of? lays The Two Captains good-hearte- CHAPTER XII Continued. Dolurea eat up with a dignity of bearing that silenced further worda on the woman's liim. "Do you think, ahe aald "doea any one think that 1 would leave my father r The nurae laughed softly, with a touch of acorn in her voice. "Do you think It would break hla heart, Mias Johnson? Dolores waa too deeply In earnest to be moved by the acornful worda; afterward the worda and tone came back to her distinctly. "I would not leave my father," ahe aald, aolemnly, her large, steadfast eyes fixed disconcertingly on the quiet face opposite, I would not leave my father never while he lives not for any one." "You may change your mind," the nurse said, lightly, rising to prepare for the night. She touched the girl a hair aoftly as Dora could have done, caressing the Btray curls on the smooth, broad brow pityingly. "Go to bod, child, hc said. "We'll not talk any more alxmt that now; it Is time you were getting your beauty sleep ere the clock strikes twelve. "I would not leave my father, Dolores aald, solemnly, hor eyes raised to the kindly face above her, "I would not leave my father ever while be Uvea not for any one." a "Whod a thought, said Jones, meditatively, tipping lila chair back and stretching bis feet pretty well toward the smoky mantel. "Who'd thet big Johnslng wl' slnowa like oak 'd ever kem ter the?" It waa more the statement of a fact than a question; he aald it to free his mind and atari the ball of conversation That every one thought ' aa herolling. did on this subject waa a matter of course. lie looked around on them approvingly as though to Impress them with the fact that he was with them there. "Eta better so," said Lodle, gravely, changing his left leg over the right; "et's better so than for him ter hev run Inter hidin. A alienee fell over them all; each thought the same; In fact they thought considerably beyond that, but not one of them dared lay what waa In his mind. "Reyther onsatlsfact'ry ana'ra they give ua when we went ter ask bout hem," aald big Tom Smith, dlssatls-fledly- , as he pushed the cat from the hearth . with hla foot and drew his chair up nearer the fire. "Thor ledge's aon were thar, aald another big, a tout man, with a malicious snort of laughter. "Tber Jedge'a son were thar, an' there were too big ter apeak ter sech common folka as we uns. What hev we ter do with they uns sence ther Jedge'a son hev took up Johnslng an hla gal." A loud burst of laughter drowned the sobbing of the storm, Lodle alone aat quite unmoved, staring gravely Into the crackling fire. "Look he aald, slowly, changing bis right leg over the left. "Look men, mebby 't aint sech a good Joke as ye seem ter thenk with yer larfiln' an' yer Jokin'. When I helped with Johnslng tell ther doctors kem, I could see plain thet t warnt no common theng hed hapd Thar he were wuth his Johnslng. two lega broke an his arms, an covered with bruises an mebby no end o broke bones; an I aaya ter myaelf thet t warnt no common theng he'd tapd Johnslng. An' when ther doctors kem theya sed I asked ther Jedgea son as I were cornin' out, an maul" "Look sed me tolled he Johnslng aint theya would be a long ter live, an thet merlcle ef he even live a week. An thar were Johnslng's gal a standln et t ther winder starin' out et ther rain, Jes es she'd stood ever sence we bringed her feyther home, an' ahe'a never moved or ajioke sence. Stop yer larfln, men; talnt no larfln mat-ta- r thes thet hev hapd Johnslng." "Her ther gal stole yer byart fro ye, Lodle? asked one of the men, again starting the rough laughter. "She's a sweet gal, Jim, an yere welcome ter her ef ye ken get her frum ther Jedge'a son. But ye'll hev ter be lively, man. Tain t ev'ry gal kin get ther aon o' a Jedge. an ye'd best put yer beat foot forrard as soon aa may be." "Look man there waa a wrathful gleam in the big fellows black eyes as he arose to hla feet in all hla height of six feet three "et makea no dilTrence what ye say ter me or 'bout me, but ther next one what speaks thet gal's name like thetll be laid outen flatter'n ever Johnslng were, an' hell never git up agen. llow'd ye like one o' us ter say ther same o' yer darter, Hiram Sadler? "Hi, hi!" the man exclaimed, with another burst of laughter not so loud nor so long as before. Hi, hi! hyar's kem a champ'on fighter fer thet gal o' Johnslng's sures ye live. Jones, loot's hev a drink outen et, ter drive all 111 foolin' off. I meant no harm ter ye, Lodle, nor tber gal neither. And the big man !xkcd down on the speaker with steady eyes as be answered: "Say what ye like txiut me an ter me, Sadler, but there firs' sech word 'bout thet gal o Johnslng's from any o' yell be yer last And they knew ho meant what he said. CHAPTER XIII. Around the Tavern Fire. "I heard reyther a strange story ower yander in ther town thes mornin when I went fer ther doctors, Tom Smith said, presently, setting down hla mug of cider and wiping off his bearded lips with the back of his hand. "A strange story an reyther more'n I think Jolinsing deserves. "He hev more'n he deserves now," Sadler said, with a leer at Lodle. "But the story, Tom, Jonea Interposed, to prevent further unpleasantness. Let's hev et et once. "Et's 'bout Johnslng. of course," Smith said, solemnly. "Et all pears ter be 'bout Johnslng. A ahefTess, no 'count critter ennyhow. "Never mind 'bout thet," Jones said, seeing Ijodlo turn his big black eyea from the fire to the face of the speaker. "Johnslng is havin' all he ken well carry 'thout our sayln hyard theugs 'bout hem. Let's hev yer story, Tom. "Well, when I was done scein' tber doctors an ther wlmmen, Smith continued, "et ther Judge's house, what young Green aent me ter aee, I went ower ter Scrulib's on ther corner oppsit' ther court house where some o thar fellers waa. One o ther men thar got ter talkin pretty free "bout ther trial an tber lamin an ther hull b'lsnesa, an' one o ther others sed ter him thet he'd best keep a civil tongue In his head Txiut thet Johnslng an his gal, fer et seems thet Lem Johnslng him thet left hyar many year ago hev kem back tor see his brother, an' has been askin news o' him, an' is out all he ken Txiut him, an' special 'bout thet gnl o' hisn. Et seems he bev got his darter with him an she hev took a farncy ter thet gal o Johnslng's from ther first what sha hev heard all from ther Judge's son. An' eta kem out thet thyes goln ter kerry her 'way np Noth ter ther big city when tneys go, an eddlcate her an' make a lady o' her. An Lera, he hev a heap o' money, they says ower yonder, an' he an' ther Jedgea struek up a powerful frendshlp thet may, they Towed, mebby prove a benefit ter Johnslng In many ways, but most special In a way 't wea all know. "Et 'pears queer how thengs kem round, Sadler said, meditatively, "but I .era Johnslng al'ays did hev more grit 'n most of 'em. Theya a ahefless, no 'count set ennyhow, ceptln him, an ther gal worse 'n most" "Look Sadler, Lodle said, could not have slowly Dolores Et's bein' worsen spoken slower. ther beast le ter hit a man when hes down, special when yer know he kyan't live long ter bother nobody. Ef theya get hem ower ter ther town alive et'll be more'n I reckon. An' more'n thet, he may be dead or thes mlnnct while wes what call ourselves his fr'ends be talkin' o him names an' sayln onklnd thengs Tiout hem. Item an' his gal has 'nough ter thenk of 'tliout we uns heapin on her an him a lot o' hyard thengs 't ain't all true or kind, flow'd ye like ther same Txiut ye, nr yer gal, Sadler? The fire died down on the hearth until only a glowing heap of ashes remained. The rain and wind sobbed outside at the doors and windows, swaying the creaking sign at the door post Suddenly the low door waa thrown open, letting In a gust of hoarse east wind and showers of rain nnd sleet, and out of thls.likc a wreath drenchof the storm, tall, grave-faceed to the skin, young Green stood in tlielr midst. He closed the door and advanced toward the fire, removing his hat as he did so. Jonea arose at once. Jones was always ready for business; the Judge's son would pay well, no doubt; he should have the I test in the house. The other men retained their positions r with no and regarded the friendly eyes. A powerful bad storm, Jedge," said "Kem right Jones, up hyar by ther fire, an get ye dry." "Yes," Green said, pleasantly, quick to note the sullen aspect of the met. It's a night to make around the fire. new-come- good-naturedl- Crystal jealously. Pope pulled it out of his walsteoat pocket, and said: Give It to hla lord-shi- p when you have examined It This is worth three hundred guineas, says Crystal, with greed In his eyes, while his strong jaws chewed like a bull's. Iope said nothing, and my lord, receiving the ring from Crystal, pocketed it. Who are your bankers, my lord? said Pope, after a short silence. The Earl, faintly smiling, answered, "Child's. I will at once." continued Pope, In his most affable manner, "explain Captain Crystal's and my Intentions toward your lordship and your people. Such of your crew aa will not join us will be transferred to the first vessel that will take them; but it la our Intention to keep you with us for the present, and to part with you only on condition that you give ua a draft for two thousand guineas for your liberty." "You shall have my draft," cried the poor old gentleman, suddenly losbut I Implore ing his you, for God's sake, not to detain me long in this miserable and terrifying situation. You shall be sent home," said Pope, and we two captains will trust the eloquent Earl Fllzglbbon up to the very hilt as a in an of the strictest honor. The old nobleman bowed hla white head with a gesture of dignity mingled with indignation and grief. This extraordinary conversation then terminated. When Captain Pope went on deck he found the breeze moderating, and, after searching the sea with hla eye. he ordered the boatswain to make sail. Then, standing at the main rigging, and looking at the people In the forepart, Pope spied the skipper of the schooner. The man's left eye was black, his face showed signs of hla having been savagely knuckled, and one arm was slung In a piece of rope round his neck. Pope roared out: Send the captain and crew of the schooner aft. They arrived presently, and made a group close abaft the mainmast. After a cool and critical survey, during which he molded a cigar with both hands. Pope sung out: You look a likely lot; do you know our character? The schooner's men made no answer. save that one broke into a low satiric grunt of laughter. Ours Is a Jolly roving life, continued Pope, while at this moment the Earl came out of the cabin and stood, holding on by the companion, looking You were late capand listening. tain of the schooner, he continued, taking no notice of the Injuries the man had received; will you join us . you shall hear the terms No, by h !" roared the skipper. Pope looked In silence with a red master, turned face at the livid-eye- d his head with a gesture of withering contempt, and, catching sight of the Earl, called out. He runs too fast to make a pirate, my lord. He has a wife and children, answered the Earl, swaying to his clutch of the companion. There's a man that should Join ua." said Pope, pointing with an ironical forefinger to the valet, who stood among the little crowd, limp, yellow and shuddering. I am not used to fight, sir, cried I am his lordthe poor wretch. ships servant, and cannot desert him." Pope gave a short laugh, which was echoed among his men, and turning to the Earl exclaimed, He'll not desert The contempt in his you. my lord. 's tone was perhaps reflected In his silence and gaze. But not a man of the schooners crew would join the pirates, and when this was made clear, Iope swung on his heel and walked aft to Fltzglbbon. (To be continued.) d self-contro- s, lord-ship- full-robe- d l. son-in-la- step-broth- step-mother- 's d ? THE AGE OF DRAGONS. Their Existence ! Believed in by Many Scientists. Dragons were important animals in ancient and mediaeval natural history. Until comparatively recent time no scientist, ever thought of questioning the existence of this most formidable of boasts. The annals of Winchester for 1177 gravely state that "In this year dragons were seen of many in Eli el a ml." Gexner. professor of ratiir-- I al history at Zurich, gives a detailed description of the dragon, while in his "History of Serpents and Dragons," published in 1040. devotes fifty pages to the monster. A good specimen of a dragon would seem to have boon a lieast about the size of a sheep. Incased In a coat of scales which shone like silver. Its back was serrated like a saw. It possessed a long tail, a pair or hatlike wings, four heavily clawed feet, a wolvinc head, the jaws of which were armed with very formidable teeth. The tongue was barbed and fire and fury Issued from the montser's mouth and the head bore a crest. Dragons were the most wicked and vindictive of creatures. They seem always to have been in a towering rage and spent the greater portion of their time in rushing up and down the earth destroying everything that came In their path. The origin of dragons was a disputed point among mediaevcl naturalists. Some maintained that these animals were generated by the heat of India; others were of opinion that the volcanoes of Ethiopia used to belch forth the monsters. One scientist, John by name, declared the dragon to be a hybrid, a cross between an eagle and a wolf. In |