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Show THE Kon ‘each new application to the contents of the black bottle. “Two hundred, did you say?” . : “Vos,” replied the captain, “two hundred and no risk. Take another drink?” “T will,” replied Sandy again. “Come, my lad,” said the captain, slapping Sandy on the back, “you’d better go in with me. You’ll never make a Cor two hundred as easy again. Come now.’ “T will,” said Sandy. “Give us your hand,” said the captain. “T knew you wasn’t such a blasted lubber as to throw away such a chance. Meet me here an hour after sundown tonight, and we'll commence operations.” They then ascended to the deck and parted. And that night Richard Arden dreamed that rats were knawing at his head. CHAPTER days passed “Back! or I'll brain you!” “Out of my way!’ yelled Skewes, leveling his revolver at Grimshaw’s cabin, found the door of Richard’s stateroom locked. Seizing a chair he began raining furious blows upon it from with- away, had he a chance to accomplish his fiendish design against Richard, and at the same time to rid himself of (as he supposed) the only witness against him in the scuttling of the Vulture. Seeing night came on, dark, but calm and beautiful. Everything was made trim and taut on the vessel for the night, and an extra round of grog served out to the men, after which, with the exception of the lookout and the manat the wheel, all were sent below, as the captain said, for forty winks. George Grimshaw and Richard Arden were pacing the deck and talking together, when the latter said: “I believe, George, I will go down and turn in. My sleep was disturbed by horrible dreams last night, and tonight I want to get. a good rest.” “Do so,” said George, “and I will follow you.” “Good night,’ aft. said. Richard, soon going - “Good night,” returned George. Richard went down to his berth, unclimbed in and was | dressed himself; soon fast in the embrace of the drowsy god. George, after pacing the deck alone for an hour or so, sat down bulwarks forward a light slumber, in the lee of the and dropped off into from which he was roused by Skewes, who, coming up to him, shook him roughly by the arm, saying: “Wake up, wake up here, and get ready to leave the vessel as soon as you ean. I’ve been looking for you all over. The sea’s coming in like a waterspout, and in twenty minutes she’ll founder. Dll get young Arden out, and you go stay by the boats till I come back.” “No, no,” cried George, springing to his feet, “Ill go call Arden, you see to the men.” So saying he started hastily for the cabin, while Skewes went forward to call up the crew. Atthat moment the men all came tumbling up on deck and made a rush for the davits where the boats hung all ready to be lowered, having been _ prepared by Sandy some time before. Skewes drew a revolver from his hip pocket and springing between the men and the boats cried: “Avast there, ye lubbers! Stand where ye are and listen to me.” The men saw the revolver gleaming in the captain’s hand, and knowing he was not tobe trifled with, grouped around him in silence, “Now, my lads,” said he, “the old tub’s sprung a leak and the water’s had such a start of us that its no use trying the pumps,, and our only chance is the boats. There’s not a minute to spare, but I’ll have no scrambling. Now,stand by the davits and lower away. Be quick about it, but the first man that leaves deck without my orders dies by my hand. Lower away.” The crew knew their man, and knew he meant what he said; so quickly, but quietly and in order, the two boats were lowered and manned, leaving only the captain and mate on deck. At that moment George Grimshaw came up with a small bundle in his hand, and was about to climb down over the rail, when the mate said: ‘“‘Where’s the other fellow?” “Good God!” exclaimed Skewes, “young Arden’s below,” and with anoath hesprang toward the cabin, from which came the sound of cries and blows. George saw the captain’s movement, and, seizing up an axe, he sprang before him, hisface pale, and his wicked eyes gleaming, and cried:. might the seeing floor the and way easily have escaped never dreamed of BUT NOT cutting an now clear alone. But leaving Skewes to perish, and raising his insensible companion from the. floor, started to carry him up on deck. He did not imagine that the boat had gone, and expected to the captain engaged in his effort to res- find them still waiting. After considercue Richard, he closed the outer door of: able time and trouble, for Skewes was the cabin, locked it on the outside, no light burden, he succeeded in reach- and throwing the key overboard, started once more for the boats—only to be confronted as he reached the deck by the “He and Arden are coming moment,” replied Richard. up in a and the sun sank in golden splendor be“You lie!” said Sandy, seizing the axe neath the blue swells of the ocean and which George had droppeda moment the Sandy Gibbon’s axe crashed the door of the cabin, where Arden and Skewes had been by George Grimshaw, it came with Skewe’s head, felling him to before. George dashed past Sandy and running to the rail, climbed down into one of the boats and cried: “Give way! give way, I say!” Atthat moment the Vulture lurched forward, and then began to stern first. Sandy, when George settle down ing the deck sprang down tothe door of the cabin and finding it locked, began battering at it with his axe, while Richard md the captain, who hed succeeded in forcing the door of the former’s stateroom, urged him to hurry. As the door at last gave way and his axe went through, he heard a groan ‘from Skewes, and at the same time heard Grimshaw ordering the men in the boats to give way. — Dropping his axe he ran back to the davits, and seeing both boats pulling away, cried: with him, and laying him down, he rushed to the side of the vessel just as the last boat disappeared darkness. in the Alarmed at the absence of the boats, he stood for a few minutes gazing out over the water but, of course, seeing nothing. Then he called several times, but getting no answer the terrible truth flashed on him, and he realized that he and his helpless companion had been left to their fate! “Cowardly hounds!” he exclaimed, “they have left us here to perish alone!” He could now almost feel the vessel sinking beneath him, and knew she could rushed past him remain afloat but a few seconds longer. Looking around for something to support him in the water he saw one of the the warm ing people in the German language alrays were very grateful to Richard, as ways used the third personal pronoun of his clothing was still drenched with salt the singular. Henee the apparent sinwater. But shortly after noon the heat gularity in the following dialogues. The became intolerable, and then for the story itself is well vouched for.—L. H.] first time Rinhard experienced the torThe Reverend Pastor was standing ments of thirst. And this was made portly and self-complacent under the more unbearable by the delirious plead- porch of the parsonage and was looking ing of Skewes for water. He was seized out for the clouds that had risen above with a raging fever, and ever and anon the horizon—big, white, shrilly scorched he would moan. by the far-off lightning Hares; gigantic the calm sea, and for a while IV. When through Richard confined in contact insensible ugly gash. Richard ‘‘Where’s the cap’n?” asked Sandy. quietly CHAPTER: WATER EVERYWHERE ONE DROP TO DRINK.” out, while Richard did the same from within.” ares While this was going on, George Grimshaw, who had followed the captain seen WEEKLY. “WATER, head. George slunk away and Skewes ran pest him and bounding down into the mate, Sandy. III. THE PLOT THICKENS. Two WESTERN hatches laying loose on the deck, and going to it, he managed by a superhuman effort, born only of despair, to get it over the side of the vessel. Then running to where Skewes lay insensible still, he seized a piece of plank laying by ‘him, and after throwing it after the hatch, raised Skewes in his arms and sprang into the sea with him. “Water—water—oh, God for the love of one little drop of water!” Sick with horror, and faint from hunger and thirst, Richard could only cover his face with his hands and groan. And then thenight came on and passed away, and again the burning rays of the sun beat down upon the unprotected heads of Richard and Ske-ves. Skewes was still delerious, though he was visibly growing weaker, and no agony could have been worse to Richard than to be obliged to sit by and see his sufferings, powerless to give him any falling and the explode the drops were Mrs. Pastor was hurry- ing to bring in the washing she had hung out on the meadow for drying. “There’s to be hail,” said the Pastor. “What are you talking about?” she replied. ‘The sky is by no means forbidding.” “Just for bring hail.” this reason: white clouds |. Already the storm arose. It bent the trees to the ground and whirled up the dust. Through the latter came two aid whatever. But why describe the horror and agony of the next few days? Why tell how Skewes in his delerium would rave and panion, younger, in white trousers, white curse—curse vest and the sun, the water and himself by turns, and how it was only Richard’s watchful eyes and strong arms that prevented him, time after time, from throwing himself into the sea. How he would plead with Richard to kill him’ and curse him when he sadly shook his head. Suffice it to say that for four days they drifted around at the mercy of the sea, parched with thirst, weak with hunger and scorched by the sun, miles and miles of water beneath and all around them, but not a drop with which to cool their parched tongues and burning vitals. But on the fifth day, Richard himself from a aroused dul! stupor, his nearest approach to sleep for several days, and turning his throbbing eyes eastward where that dreaded sun was just peepgrasp the edge of the hatch with one ing over the rim of the horizon, he saw hand, which prevented his sinking, and a ship! “Fold on, ye lubbers! Would ye leave he then rolled Skewes on it, clambered Oh, what a thrill of joy awoke in his on himself, and snatching up the piece the captain to drown like a rat in a hole! despairing heart, and what unutterable of planking which was floating near him, Hold on, I say!” gratitude filled his soul at that sight! Then seeing they paid no heed to his began paddling away from the sinking “Thank God!” he cried. “Saved! vessel for dear life. commands, he gave one look toward the Saved!,’ This was accomplished none too | cabin, hesitated a moment, and plunged The vessel was sounediy a mile away, over the vessel’s side into the sea, and soon, for the Vulture, with a mighty and bearing directly down upon them. lurch and shiver, went down, the water swam for dear life for the boats, one of Richard, filled with a new strength, rose which waited for him and picked him rushed back over the spot with such upon his knees and called with all his “ap: violence as to almost swamp Richard’s might, while he waved his hat high in Then he tried to get the men i lay little raft. But that danger was safely the air; passed, and Richard’s next thought was bya minute to see if anyone appeared “Ship ahoy! Ahoy, ahoy!” but he heard to restore Skewes to consciousness. This on the deck of the doomed vessel; but no answering shout, and thought his he finally succeeded in doing by chafing George Grimshaw shouted from the boat voice had failed to reach the vessel. his hands and temples, and bathing his in which he was seated, and which was Still she stood straight on toward head with the cool sea water, and pr2sfast disappearing in the darkness: them, and shaking Skewes he said: ently he opened his eyes and glaring at ‘“Skewes— Skewes, cheer up, we're “Give way there, Isay! Its death to Richard, said: ‘ saved: Saved, man, do you hear?” wait another minute so near the Vulture “Where am I? Who are won?” But Skewes only glared at Richard when she goes down, madmen! fools! ‘Where we are I cannot tell you,” Will you throw away your lives for answered Richard, “only that we are on with his sunken, fever-glazed eyes and muttered: nothing?” the Atlantic. But we are at least safe “Curse you! you devil! Give me Now, the boats could have laid by for the present.” water—water—water —”’ and then lay within forty or fifty yards of the Vul“Where are the boats? What has panting. ture with the utmost safety, and both happened?” again asked Skewes, placing Then Richard, turning his eyes upon crews were perfectly well aware of this his hand to his head. the vessel again, saw her suddenly alter fact. But at George Grimshaw’s frantic “The boats deserted us, thinking I appeals they were seized with an un- suppose it would be useless to attempt her course and bear away from them reasonable desire not only to. get out of our rescue,” replied Richard. You were again. — “My God!” he cried. “Come back! danger, but to leave it as far behind hurt, but not seriously, I hope, by the ax come back! For mercy’s sake do not them as possible.. Such occurrences.are at the cabin door.” _ leave us to starve and die now. -Come not unfrequent. “Ah, yes,” said Skewes, “I leaiauien back! come back!” So, in spite of Sandy’s curses, threats now. But how did I get here. You - But the -vessel stood on her course, and entreaties, the second boat followed didn’t do it alone, did you?” and seeing that his cries were unheeded swiftly in the wake of the first, leaving “Yes,” replied Richard. “I managed the Vulture with her two helpless pas- to get this hatch into the water, and to or unheard,he tore ‘his hair and gnashed his teeth in an agony of rage, horror and sengers to go down to her last port beget you and myself on it.” disappointment. Then shaking his fist at neath the waves. “Curse the dogs!” exclaimed Skewes. the vessel wildly, cried: The first boat was by this time out of And then after a short silence: “May God’s curse light on you all, sight in the darkness, but the sound of “Do you know who it was that locked cowards, fiends, murderers that you are! the oars could be faintly heard, and us in?” Curse you, curse you!” guided by that the seeond boat tried to “My God!” exclaimed Richard. “You ‘“Aye,,’ muttered Skewes, “curse you--follow. But after half an hour’s hard do not. think we were locked in the cabin curse you—-water—water--”’ pulling the sounds died away, and purposely?” And then a deathly weakness came though the men ‘shouted again and “T know it,” answered Skewes. upon Richard, and he sank down in a again they received no answer. The “Tell me whom you suspect,” said heap beside Skewes, and the little raft reason of this was obvious, for the first Richard. “Who could be guilty of such rocked and dipped, and Skewes moanedboat was manned by eightoars while the a fiendish, inhuman act?” “Water—water—” other pulled only four. “Not now,” answered Skewes faintly, (TO BE CONTINUED). And Sandy Gibbons, sitting silently “Sometime you shall know, but not now. in the stern of the little boat, his back That is my account, and I shall square to the men and his face turned toward it—I will square it. Oh, how my head [Written for the Western Weekly.] the spot where the Vulture had disap- hurts.” peared in the darkness, his eyes strain“Here,” said Richard; “let me lay it ing back through the gloom as if to in my lap, you will rest easier then, and An Historical Tale from the catch a last glimpse of his old friend and try tosleep. Steady—steady—there you Days of Frederick the commander—muttered hoarsely through are,” hé added, for every movement made Great of Prussia. his set teeth : their little raft dip and rock ue a TRANSLATED FROM SACHER MASOCH, THE GREATEST HUNGARIAN NOVELIST OF “Ye wan’t much good, Bill—ye wan’t cradle. THE AGE, BY LEO HA#FELI. “Ah, that.is better,” said Skewes, and much good—but ye was always square with me. And may I drown like a dog shortly after he sank into a heavy slum[Prefatory.—Our readers will rememif I don’t make ye even with him ber, while Richard watched over him. The next morning the sun rose over ber that Frederick the Great, in addressyet.” As he struck the water he managed soap bubbles threatening to very next moment. Large to 4—~<ite—> t+ The Flute-Player of Bornim. gentlemen on horseback. One, the elder, in a grey overcoat,a three-cornered hat pressed over his forehead; his comopen frock coat, a black mus- tache on his handsome face, forming a vivid contrast to the white-powdered hair. The Pastor, almost appalled, fell back, at the same time smiling. “The King,” he murmured. “Why, then, did you not salute him?” asked the wife, putting her hands over her eyes to look after the cavaliers. “The King likes to scour the country incognito and observe the actions of the people,” returned the dominie, “and he would have been displeasd at recongnition.” A thunderbolt Sneak the earth. Pastor and “Pastoress” (that’s a new word but no less authorizable than “authoress” and “poetess.”) took speedy refuge in the house, and now the hail-stones started storming down. * * *k “Tt’s getting awkward,” remarked the younger of the two riders. “Would not Your Majesty take shelter till the storm is over?” “TI guess I’d better,” replied the King, directing house There his horse toward the nearest which was the statliest of at the gateway they both mounted all. dis- and gave their horses in charge of an ostler. “This is Bornim?” asked the King. “At your service.” “Whose is this house?” “This is the Court House.” “Come on, Datzebeck, let’s go in,” said the King, “perhaps there thing here tosee or hear to is somepass the time while we are compelled to stop.” Followed by his chamberlain, Tobias of Datzebeck, the King walked through the antechamber where several people were waiting, passed hy the astonished usher into the large hall where Justice was administered or supposed to be. On both sides of the door there were benches upon which were sitting five men in Civilian dress, while in one of the window embrasures there a young woman. From room there came, strangely sonnd of a flute... It was was being played and with the King, onds, said, after listening “This flute stands his business; was standing — an adjoining enough, the a hymn that skill, too; for - for a few player sec- under- for an amateur he is well instructed and fairly experienced.” Just then the young woman in the window turned on her red high-heeled bootines and showed to the King under her coquettish bonnet a most pretty little face with two lively dark eyes. ‘““Where’s the Judge?” the King asked the girl: “Why does he let the people wait, and especially you who presumably deserve a speedy attention?’, The lass had turned red. “He is next door.” she stammered ee downcast eyes. “Then it’s he whois signal: the flute?” “Yes, dear sir.” Impatient, the King opened the door and entered the side room in which he found, standing, a ‘large man with powerful head, clad in a long, pike-green coat with brass buttons, playing the flute. - “He, mister, why is he making the people wait so long?” commenced the King. “I, too, play the flute, but I never allow my predilections to interfere with my business.”’ The Judge neither looked at ae |