Show the two by W CLARK RUSSELL copyright 1897 P F by coll e copy sal dodd mead co CHAPTER cont aued the passengers v ere assembled in the forward part of the cuddy and their i ale faces could be seen from the quarterdeck viewing the proceedings through the window glass this was a sorrowful sight its pathos was heightened by the children and the baby la the black nurse s arms and as the passengers descended into the boats the procession was rendered ex depressing by the low per sistena wailing of the baby now then shove off ray lads shouted pope the third mate who was in charge of the longboat in which a boats compass and a quadrant bad been placed ordered the big lug sail to be hooted and in a few minutes the three boats two of them under der of mutton canvas were sliding off into the mighty solitude CHAPTER the pirates demand grindal said pope standing with him in the gangway I 1 am going to take that lady who is to be my wife you know he looked at him in his subduing way aboard the brig you will scuttle this ship and that it may be a swift job scuttle her forward aft and amidships well wait for you I 1 hope you will grumbled grindal capt pope ascended the poop lad der and approached miss laura with his hat in his hand im going to ask ou he said to come on board my brig with me she turned a little pale looked a little frightened and answered where is your brig going to capt pope we shall cruise for some more money he answered and then I 1 benall place a chart of the world be fore you and you shall put your finger on the spot to h you would have me sail she did not reply but moved as you II 11 drop this matter grindal though to let him know she was ready to go with him with all the gallantry of the buck of those days in the ballroom he took her by the hand and conducted her to the gang way the brig lay within the range of her own carro nades and after they had pulled a little distance features of her grew sharp and distinct and among other things laura saw her cousin leaning upon his folded arms on the bulwark rail watching the boat s approach A number of the seamen as well as crystal started at the approaching boat which was rapidly nearing the brig it neared touched swung to and crystal helped his cousin to ascend pope following keep the deck and stand by tor grindal mr crystal exclaimed pope giving him his name in a very lofty way till I 1 show your cousin her cabin she s got mine said crystal so she has answered pope and you shall choose another be easy john says he unbending and smil ing already we are a rich ship ay by thunder I 1 could even meet staunton s paper and how do I 1 value my share of the plunder he added casting one of his adoring looks at laura little suspecting his men had been discussing this very subject he then with a courteous motion of his arm indicated the companion way the girl with an intrepid glance at the square man put her foot upon the ladder and the pair descended all the booty brought from the west indiaman Ind laman had been heaped in the captain s cabin crystal a berth had been cleared of its tuff and lauras baggage ind the movable furniture of her cabin replaced it miss crystal gabed with curiosity around her what a dim and melancholy little interior was this after the fine cuddy of the thetis just then crystal came bundling in his face was more than usually rug ged and determination lay in shadow in an expression of violence about his brow always darkened by its scar I 1 have come to help you to see to my cousin pope says he in a stub born voice boiss crystal Is safe in my hands answered pope in a level tone hold ing the bridle of his temper marvel bously we I 1 it Is not right sir that she should be here said crystal madam in the presence of your cousin an old shipmate one whose confidence I 1 might have hoped I 1 pos hessed exclaimed pope in his most melodious accents plaintive sweet thrilling almost the girl found that voice I 1 appeal to you since the moment when my eyes first lighted on your beauty have I 1 failed in my bear ing as a gentleman and a man of hon or that I 1 am in love with you crys ajtal knows that I 1 shall passionately desire to make you m wife he also knows does a gentleman does a man of honor ins lit wound excite uneasiness in the lady of his love in the woman whom it Is his imps cloned dream to make his wifel laura was coloring supe bay twice she lifted her eyes from the deck while he spoke one to flash them upon him and once to gaze a little lingeringly pope said crystal let me see to her cabin accommodation this Is a ship of pirates and if you i e in love you 11 agree that she s to be protected as much for your sal e as tor her own john you know she s absolutely safe but you are her cousin I 1 love you for that and you shall have your way and bowing to miss crystal with a sweet smile this extraordinary man went on deck grindal in the heart of a little mob talked lo 10 11 and gesticulated freely smiting his palm with his clenched fist pope took no notice and after walking the deck tor some time he went below into his cabin for a cigar and his fine telescope with which to follow the departure of the thetis he heard cristal talking to the girl in the next cabin and strained his ear een laying it against the bulkhead to catch what they said unhappily for the listener the brig was slightly pitching and the groans of the fabric its onal squeals the jar of the rudder and the noise of the wheel ropes troubled and deafened him so 1 e abandoned a hopeless effort to light his cigar and pick up his tele ccoce when pope quitted his cabin crys tal and laura were still talking he regained the deck and immediately leveled his glass at the thetis and saw that she was sinking fast pres antly capt crystal came on deck pope called to his cabin man to light the lamp and put a meal with tea and wine upon the table has she gonea says crystal 1001 ing in the direction of the ship but missing her in the elusive light no answered pope curtly look at those fellows forward pope exclaimed crystal folding hia arms and speaking in a voice that seemed to suggest an apologetic pos ture of mind I 1 d be glad to have her with us but for them since ashes come into my hands I 1 must bold my self answerable to my cousin for her safety and well being well both see to that respond ed pope at this moment there was a move ment among the men about the gal ley and a number of them preceded by grindal came aft pope came to a stand and lightly puffed at his cigar with an unmoved face crystal swayed on wide les le s behind him captain says grindal I 1 m speak ing tor the men likewise for myself that there thetis has been a tough job some of us being killed and wounded come to the point interrupted pope coldly all hands says grindal would like to see what got took here said pope it its fine tomorrow to morrow morning after breakfast every article of plunder that now lies sate and stocked in my cabin shall be brought up on to this quarter deck and all hands shall weigh and admire and appraise and well come to some understanding of the value of the whole so that every man shall know what he s worth already it exclaimed a man who 11 do the valuing parta draw lots tor it if you like my hearts says pope a little bously leave it to the capan says bob bin the instant pause that followed seemed to use he language of the poet pope to hesitate dislike then grindal said roughly very well we re all agreed we leave it to the capan all that we want tor to find Is tills how much Is every man worth so fara we don t want no burying and a seeking of it afterward to find it gone a very hairy pirate who had daylight been abroad have discovered himself in jack boots and a rather bloody shirt the men have been asking fir me to find out said gandal if so be as how you looks upon the young lady as a part of our yes answered pope at onca un able to catch a sight of the expression of crystals face what price do you value her at continued it so be as how you ve gone into ita pope could rot help laughing he laughed loud and continuously and some of his men tickled by his merri ment fell a laughing too why said he presently recover ing his gravity it you should turn to and read the bible which most ol 01 yb have rever heard of and which most of you coulden couldn t read if you had you d discover hat the lady Is put down one of those females whose value 1 far above rubies she worth captain said grindal gie her value a name and deduct it from my share and so reward me for the ironed I 1 m putting into your pod ets cr ed pope with an excel bently handled note of scorn in his de livery let the captain hae the lady ex oe of the newly entered men she ain t no bl stored she s a relative of tie mate s and a country oman t ourn and cuss me it it s proper that an english woman a to be tall ed of as it he were a ne gress pope looking round could dimly see bliss crystal standing in the compan ion way listening you 11 drop this matter grindal said he approaching the ruffian by a couple of paces and putting on his overwhelming manner of command perceptible enough to the fellow who stood close to morrow we 11 bring the plunder on and attempt such a val lation as shall enable every man to understand what his earnings al ready are now go forward draw yourselves some cans of the pros sian s gin and drink for such another piece of good bucl as the thetis he then t arned and walked straight along the deck to miss laura CHAPTER the booty next morning was as shining as the splendid day that had vanished at half past echt the cabin breakfast was ready capt pope and capt crystal awaited miss laura s emer gence from her cabin the square man v as seated pope stood and con linued to stand until she came when he saluted her with a low bow and a look of helpless adoration after some commonplaces about the pass age of the night the comfort of her cabin and the like the conversation shaped iteld thus when do you mean to give the men a sight of the stuff they re arav ing to see asked crystal try ing to speak in a friendly way after breal fast answered the captain I 1 wonder how much they mean to value me ata exclaimed laura col a little but laughing also and I 1 wonder said pope nith a courtly bow what they would think if they knew the price I 1 put upon oua to be continued |