ml '9‘.va' my. _ 32 Tm: GOLDEN HABPOON. ~' ' I THE MAD SKIPPER: ' s A CRUISE AFTER THE MAELSTROM. ‘ ‘ _ BY ROGER STARBUCK,‘ AUTHOR 03‘ m 301.10me POCKET NOVELS: '. 115 THE Pam Pram ‘ NEW YORK: ‘BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, os WI.LLIAM STREET. _ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1&6. by BEADLE AND COMPANY, In to Ckrk‘l once of the District Court of the United sum to: es: Southern District of New York. fwm. THE MAD SKIPPER; .gf; U H A P T E R I . . TEE nasrmrnns. “ SPLASHl splash ! splash! Here he comes again—the rain I The calaboose more better than this place. We got no Mae? to smoke nor nothing to eat. Wish me back again in St. Mi- chael with piece of bread and one little baskeet of grapes!” ‘. The speaker, an odd-looking Portuguese dwarf with an i enormous head, sat by the entrance of a small cave near the ' summit of a. lofty hill overlooking the town and harbor of San Carlos, Chiloe island. Far beyond the town, which consists of little wooden buildings, few of them more than two stories in hight, and irregular streets rudely paved with rough stones, ‘ is the short stretch of blue water separating the isle from the mainland (Chili) upon which towered the lofty, snow-covered peaks of the Andes, half buried in rolling clouds. The glances of the dwarf, however, were turned from these glorious moun- tains to rest upon the harbor, which at present containedtbm three vessels—two Peruvian schooner-s, and a large American Whale-ship, painted yellow from stem to stem. “ Yees, yees,” continued the Portuguese, disconsolately, “ every ‘- thing been eat up (lat we had, and me feel hungry ; poor Frank ‘ ‘ i -\. , ‘ _, ' . ' _ '~ ‘1'; ' I , .....m~v,”sqm_ 1w<,o\oa§m. 4 am. mfiu‘m‘ " ‘ iii-um“ ‘Y'f‘ ‘ . 3 s 5 Harland hungry too,” he added, glancing toward a manly- ' ll looking young sailor who lay, apparently asleep, in a corner of the cave—“ he hungry too, though he sleep so sound." The large, round, black eyes of the dwarf, and his long ‘ face, which was shaped something like that of a horse, softened as he spoke. He took off his jacket and carefully spread it over the shoulders of his companion to protect him from the drops of water falling from little fissures in the rocky roof. . Frank, however, now sprung up with a gay laugh and patted the little Portuguese upon the head. . “ You are a good friend, Joe, although something of a / \. ‘gmmbler. Here, take your jacket, at once, or you’ll catch ‘)ld.” ' heard you say our ‘ larder’ was empty.” v ing face of his chum. “ How now i “ You hear—” - , *“ Every thing,” interrupted Frank. “You wish yourself back in St. Michael with a ‘ piece of bread and a basket of grapes.) n “ Not m—not me only i” exclaimed Joe, “ but both of us. Me think you asleep 1” exclaimed the dwaer In no care to be comfortable without you the same ; that was what me meant I" “Ay, ay, you’re an excellent fellow, Plansh,” answered the other. “I wouldn't find fault with you for the World. Let me see,” he added, glancing around the cave. “I think I “ Yeas ; eat up last mouthful this morning.” “ Not so much as the crumb of a cracker left ‘2” “ Nothing.” “ Oh, well, we can get along without dinner for one day, although, I must own, friend Plaush, that I feel sorry on your ‘ account. You should have remained in the ship. I deserted her because the captain put us boat-steerers on short allow- - Vince when there was no occasion fbr it; but you, acting as cabin-boy, were in the midst of plenty and growing fat in the “an.” _ “Yeas, yees, very true. But when you go, me go too. Me like you very much because you only man me ever see who show himself friend to poor Joe Plaush. Me never forget the time When second mate go to knock me down, and you interfere and prevent him doing so. to you; and so me will, unless," he mournfully added, “ you get tired of me and wish me to leave you.” “Never,” answered Frank, gazing earnestly upon the dump. “I have taken a great liking to you, and shall never grow tired of such a friend.” “ Ah, me glad of that. Yees, yees, very glad i” And with a happy light shining in his eyes, he pressed 9. hand of his c'o'mpahicm between both his own. . “ And now,” continued Frank, “it is time we thought of leaving the cave. Our ship sailed yesterday; there is no need of our re‘inaining concealed any longer.” . Me say then, me stick . A SINGLE REAL. “ You mistake. Me been here before, and so know all about the way they do when man desert vessel in this port. ‘ The ‘vigilantes,’ (police officers armed with swords) get de- scription of runaway from the Captain, and make search all time till find him. If they not find him until after ship sail, they put him in calaboose all the same as if vessel still here." “ And what sort of a place is the calaboose ?” “ An old prison where he put criminals. Suppose we be catched, we have to huddle in with thief, highwayman and murderer, and work with the chain-gang.” “ The chain-gang ‘2” ' “ Yees—de criminals who carry, all day long, great loads of dirt and stones for punishment.” ’ “ That would certainly be disagreeable, and in order to avoid V such a misfortune, we will wait until night before we quit our retreat.” . “ Where we go then ?" “We will descend the precipice in front of us, which is I washed by the waters of the bay, and swim to that yellow whale-ship, which is not more than half a. mile from the shore, My word for it,.the crew will not betray us, but will conceal us until the vessel sails." . _ “Good plan i" cried Joe, clapping his hands; “ the precipice isn’t very steep, and so we go down easy enough even in the _ dark.” 4 “ Ay, ay, if we.are careful. The rock is covered with pro- jections and clembering vines. I’d like something to eat, how- ever, before we start." The dwarf took off his cap—a large, round one, made 0 brown cloth, and turned it wrong side out. i “ What are you going to do now. Joe?” . “ To get something to eat. Turn cap wrong way so as to make look white—lining'white. Then go to hut somewhere, and buy cake or cooked potatoe. Brown cap been described by captain, as belonging to runaway. If made white, this way, won’t be known.” “ But if you sell your cap—” “ Me no intend to sell. Me buy with money.” And pulling a solitary real from his pocket, he held it up close to the eyes of his friend. ' ' A It n“? 5 Li, :1 i i _ T2; n I new.” [fore he replied : to forget to buy with it what she tell me." «It? “Been save long time—one year. Glad tospend him “Why have you saved it so long?” The Portuguese colored, and hesitated a few seconds, he “'Got little sister in St. Michael. When me going to leave her for whale-ship, she ask me to bring her, when I come home, piece ‘of red ribbon for her hair. So, first time me get money, me put this real in corner of left pocket, so as not ‘ By no means, then, must you spend it now i”/cried Frank ; " put it back in your pocket I" “ Me get another one, some time,” answered Joe, “ which’l] do just as well.” And before Frank could say another word, he quitted the cave. After a half-hour’s absence he returned with his cap full of boiled potatoes, and with several cheese-cakes and rolls pro- \ truding from his jacket-pocket. i “ Me buy of an old woman living in the valley,” he said, 2: as the two partook of their repast. “ Got pretty girl therel who play on guitar, and sing with very fine voice.” ' "How old is she ?" inquired Frank. « “About seventeen, and oh, very fine girl i” he added, en- thusiastically, “ brown hair and blue eyes.” i “ That‘s an uncommon complexion for a Chiloe maiden, isn’t it?” p “ Yees, but some time you find all the same. Me see three , or four that way in the town when me go ashore here five years ago.” “ You are sure the old woman had no suspicions of your being a deserter ‘9” r v “Think not, though me did notice she looked at me pretty sharp. Young one fix eye on me top !" added Joe, blushing‘ deeply, while a soft light shone in his round eye. Frank looked at him steadily. The dwarf, with his short, bandy legs, cowhide shoes, thick litt‘c red hands, big head and singular physiognomy, certainly was not Calculated to inspire a maiden with the tender passion, and, on that account, his .eompanion hoped he had not fallen in love with the pretty A mum FAIRY. 18 ‘“ Joe. you must forget all about her I” ‘ “Who?” inquired Joe, blushing deeper than before, and‘. yet trying to seem perfectly unconscious. “ The one of whom you are thinking at this moment 1” “Me !” cried the dwarf, “ me I Ho! ho I You make fun I" And a forced laugh crackled in his throat. “Why don’t you eat ?" said Frank. “ You were com- plaining of hunger not long since, and, now that we have a. " good meal before us you don’t seem to relish it. Try these cheese-cakes; they are delicious.” ’ “ Me have eaten three potatoes,” replied Joe, “and them plenty for me now. Me got all the cheese-cakes for you; me no want.” \. “ Nonsense. I won’t eat another mouthful unless you join ‘ me." “ Hist,” whispered the dwarf, as a rustling noise was heard in the grass outside of the cave. ‘ Both men, who were sitting with their backs turned toward the entrance, whirled themselves around, and rose to confront a beautiful vision. It was a young girl, wearing a short cloak and a jaunty little hat. Her brown hair fell over her white neck and graceful shoulders in thick, wavy masses. She wore ,. neat little gaiters, and there was such an airy lightness about her symmetrical form that her feet scarcely seemed to touch the ground. The blue eyes were full of spirit and softness, ' A and the perfect regularity of the features was relieved by quick ' changes of expression and color that gave a piquant charm to . the fresh young face. 0n seeing Frank, she started and seem- ... ed a little confused ; while the Portuguese, blushing and node, ding his head toward her, said to his friend,,in a low voice: ‘:, That‘s him—that’s the one me been speaking of ; the girl me see with the old woman.” The young boat-steerer took off his cap and bowed. ' “Beautiful fairy,” he began, but she checked him with a peremptory wave of one little hands ‘. “ This is no time for compliments, sir,” she said, in a musi. cal but decided voice. “ You must leave this place instantly if you do not wish to be'arrested. The old woman of when! , your friend bought his provision, has gone to betray you.” ‘ .I”“Yeesl yeesl” cried the dwarf. sharp at me." "‘ You were very rash in venturing from your retreat," con- tinued the young girl. “ Ay, ay i” cried Frank. “ It was done in opposition to my wishes. A thousand thanks!” he added, his eyes beaming gratitude upon the maiden, “a thousand thanks for your timely warning Will you permit me to inquire how you “Me notice she look knew where to find us ‘2” , “ I did not know there were two," she answered, blushing. . ‘ .“ I tracked your friend by the impressions of his shoes upon I the soft grounr .” ‘ r "(N “ You are a noble girl i" cried the young man, impulsively, J ,“ and to venture out in the rain all alone—” “ Again let me. tell you this is no time for compliments 1” l ' she interrupted, frowning and smiling at the same time. “If ' you would escape being quartered in the hateful calaboose, come with me at once !” “ Most willingly will we do that," answered Frank. “ But you will get wet through and take cold. Please accept this jacket.” ' ‘ She shook her head and darted off like a fawn, followed by the two seamen. They soon reached a little wooden building, situated in a deep valley; and having ushered her two companions into a small room in the upper story, the pretty “pilot” shut the door and locked them in. - “Well, Joe," said Frank as the two seated themselves upon a trunk at one side of the apartment, “ here We are, both "made prisoners by a girl. She is certainly a wonderful crea- w ture—so modest and yet so resolute.” “ Me think him glorious i" cried Joe, with enthusiasm. “ Unless I am much mistaken, she is a native of the United States, and I am therefore at a loss to account for her being here." . ,“ Yees, yees, you right ; him no Chiloe. Him speak too , , V good English for that, and-" V i ' He paused suddenly,'as his glances fell upon the head of p a skeleton on a shelf opposite to him, while an expression of , .horrorwrinkled his brow. Grouting himself» he Shrunk into a 00111911 &‘ f. .3: 93m r .‘ ,‘ 5..- . .. .. at-..“ \ name my homing Frank laughed heartily. “ Nonsense, Joe l” he ex'elaimed. “ I see how it is. We are in the room of some medical men. Every doctor has in his study, it skeleton or a skeleton’s head." “ Yees, yees, but how you know this doctdr’s room 1’” _ “By those rows of little vials, together with that mortal * and pestle on the same shelf that contains the skeletons, and also by that pile of medical books on the little table in the center of the room.” ‘ Joe smiled and clapped his hands. _. “Me very foolile to get frightened,” he said, returning to the side of his friend. “ Me might have known there be noth- ing to make frightened where there such pretty girl as him we have seen.” ‘ - The two were still cowering, when the key was heard turn- ing in‘ the lock of the door; and, the next moment, a middle- aged man, wearing 21. dark coat, a broad-rimmed hat and cor~ duroy pants, entered the room. The face of this person was very square, his eyes of a pale-blue color, and his mouth drawn down at the corners. He carefully closed and locked the door after him, then bowing, addressed the two seamen in ‘ a voice something like the cronking of a frog: “ Good-morning, friends. My daughter has told me every thing, and I am glad she acted in the way she did. That calaboose is a. miserable hole to be confined in, and we shall do all‘ in our power to keep you out of sight of the vigilantes. The old woman who owns this house, and with whom we board, is an uvaricious old wretch who would betray her best friend for a few paltry reals; but we shall baifle her—alien} #we shall get the better of her, I hope.” ' “ Thank you,” said Frank. “ Your kindness——-” _ “Don't mention it," interrupted the other. “We are al- ways glad to help those who are in trouble, and so are all Christians. We must contrive to smuggle you on board the Mo- nongahela—that yellow whale-ship lying in the harbor. She _ is homeward bound, and will sail on the 23d of May—the day after to-morrowi I have just been to see her captain in order to engage a passage; for my daughter and I have be- come tired of this place and are anxious to return to the United States. Several Spanishldoctors have lately come to ‘ San Carlee and ruined my business, completely. Is your pulse ’ regular?” ' fl ?7) “ Your pulse—is it regular, and do you sleep well—and is your appetite good ‘3” " Oh, yes.” - “ Are you sure? If not, I have a. pill here,” and he took a. little box from his pocket—“ which will regulate everything at once. It is my own invention. I have been four years; compounding it to my satisfaction. It will cure all diseases except consumption.” ' — “ A valuable medicine. I shall certainly let you know if I should happen to feel unwell." . “ How is your pulse ‘3” inquired the doctor, turning to the dwarf. “ My daughter said she thought you looked ill.” “ Him say so ?” “ Yes. Ah!" he continued, as the warm blood rushed to the dark face, “your pulse is not right. I perceive"you are subject to hot flushes. You must take one of these pills im- \ , lmediately.” ’ v , ' “‘No, thank you; me feel very well." “ You are mistaken, my friend," said the doctor, as he felt ' 'of the other’s wrist. “ Your pulse is not regular. You will have a fever unless you swallow a pill. Here it is—take it." The dwarf reluctantly obeyed, declaring that the pill tasted exactly like a crumb of gingerbread. ’ The night-shudows were creeping into the room when the - - good-natured doctor quitted it, carefully locking the door after , )Jim and putting the key in his pocket. In compliance with ' his wishes, the two seamen, sitting nearly motionless upon the chest, spoke in whispers when they felt a desire to ‘con- verse—a precaution necessary to prevent the old woman, who had now returned, from suspecting their presence in the house. They could hear her voice in the room below, and its sharp, h " impatient tones seemed to proclaim that she had met with some heavy disappointment. Such, indeed, was the fact ; ', for, as the “ vigilantes” had not succeeded in finding the de. Berters, she had not gained the expected reward. At ten o’clock she retired, in no enviable frame of mind. ' Turning to his daughter, seated near him in a back mom, a“ . informed them, led to the beach. 'ASWIMI'OB IT. ‘ 1’? phystnu than stowed his mouth into an expression of comical ' significance : ' “ We” vc got rid of that she-bear at last, Lilian, and I hope she’ll soon go to sleep." ' ~ “ I have no doubt she will,” answered the young girl, smih ing, “for she drank several cups of the motheron top. you recommended to her." I I“ That’s good ; and now you may go to bed. As your chamber is next to hers, you can easily tell by the sound of her breathing when she is asleep. You must then give three distinct raps upon the ceiling. I shall station myself where I can hear them." “All right, papa l” and she left the room. Half an hour after, the doctor, hearing the raps, hastened, to,the apartment in which he had left the seamen. “ The coast is clear,” said he. way to the beach." “You need not trouble yourself to accompany us,” sale, Frank; “ we can find our way.” “ There is a short cut,” replied the other, “ which you know nothing of ; therefore I must insist upon being your guide”. No further time was lost. low, the outside door was cautiously opened, and soon after “ We will now make out They hastened to the room be-. they were hurrying along a narrow path which, the doctor ' This they gained in a short time, and found themselves directly opposite the Monongahela, which loomed up like a great phantom about a quarter of a 1 mile from the shore. A new moon, partially obscured by the clouds, which were not yet dissipated, relieved the gloom ' sufficiently to afford them a good View of the water. _ r ‘ ‘ “Here is a skiff,” said the friendly guide, pointing to a small boat tied to a stake. so as—” “ No, no,” interrupted Frank. seen from the shore if we took to the boat. I can easily swim to the vessel.” “ Very well. will be in a few days.” ' . V They shook hands, and then, throwing off their shoes, and “I will go with you .to the ship, “We would be apt to be My friend and fastening their jackets to their necks by means of the sleeves. ~ ' ‘ | And now, good-by until we meet again, which EX! ‘ _j m MAD ‘ hunk and his faithful chum stepped into the water and 5311.19]! VI out for the ship. Being excellent swimmers, they soon gained the bows of the vessel; then, by means of the cable, they clambered to'the deck. This had evidently been recently scrubbed; it was as clean as a “ milkmaid’s apron,” and was ’ I‘ not disfigured by straggling ends of running rigging, these being neatly coiled upon the belaying-pins. The turns of the cable were nicely arranged about the Windlass; not even a kink was out of 'place, and the two seamen also noticed that the jibs were as carefully and tastefully stowed as those of a. ' man-of-war, The rigging, too, was “ taut and trim,” the 7 yards squarely balanced, and the sails furled with true nauti- - \ cal precision. ‘ , 1 “Me think this very fine ship," remarked Joe. “ Captain " ’lvery particular man. Make crew work plenty, though, me guess.” “ Ay, ay,” replied Frank, “ the captain of this craft evidentr ly likes to have every thing ship-shape." “ Yees. He must be very good skipper.” f‘ P’r’aps you‘ll alter your mind when you come to know him, my lad,” was uttered in a deep voice, and turning, the V ,' two men saw an old, gray-headed tar, looking at them across , the windiass. In a few' words, Frank made the necessary explanations, to which the sailor listened in grim silence. ‘fI’m afraid you’ve made a bad move in comin’ aboard this craft.” “Why so ?” , “In the first place, because the ofl‘icers won’t suit you; in w the next, because every man or the crew, with the exception ‘ g (.f myself and two others, is composed of the most outland- “ ' ish set of savages your eyes ever lighted on. My only reason 'for not desarting is because I don’t care about losin’ my share‘ . of the profits which will come from the cargo-this being a -.- full, ship. The three mates are New-Zealanders, so that all ' the heathens forward have every thing pretty much their. own . ,_ Way. The captain seems to have a most unnat‘ral liking for these wild islanders, as you may know by hi! making motel ‘ of, the three.” "- “You don't mm to say—” ‘ A man run. I v .1; ' “Ayhay,” interrupted the old sailor, “it’s just whetlgp ,. twan to say. While in the Arctic ocean ‘we lostover three V hantucket mates, one by falling overboard while aloft, another by sickness, and t’other by being struck on the head with a whale’s flukes. What. does the captain do but put in the places of all of ’em the three boat-steerers of the lkzboard V boats-~tliree big-headed savages l” ‘ “ He must have a strange taste," said Frank. _ . “ Strange I That doesn’t express it, mate,” replied the other. “ P’r‘aps you’ll think him more than strange when you get acquainted with him. Hows’ever,” he added, “if you are willing to take up your quarters in this craft, I ain‘t the man to go back on you. But, you’d better keep yourselves close until the craft sails, for if those heathens got sight of you they wouldn‘t hesitate to betray you to the ‘ vigilantes,’ for they are a treacherous set.” ' “ Do they try to quarrel all time with you white men!” inquired Joe. ' _ “Well, no, I can’t say that they quarrel with us, though there's a good deal of fighting and scratching of faces a-going on among themselves. What I complain of is, the noise -' they make, keeping me from sleeping when it is my watch below, and shirking duty whenever the captain’s eyeisn’t up- on ’em ; besides which, they can‘t talk like rational beings on any subject, which is very disagreeable when we have to hud- dle all together in a small forecastle.” “ It can‘t last for a long time, at any rate,” said Frank, “the craft being homeward bound. I guess we’ll take up our quarters here.” ' . I “ Just as you like, mate," replied the old tar. “'It sartainly pleases me to have another civilized being added to the few in the ship. The captain, I‘m certain, will be glad to have two more in the craft, seeing as we are a little‘ short-handed) ". He pulled away one of the forehatchcs, and, pointing sig- nificantly into the hold, continued : “I’ll find you a good hiding-place, my lads, if you'll jump f’ V \etween decks. We must be quick about it, too, as I expect my relief to come up every minute.” The two men sprung into the hold, followed by'tho old - sailor, who soon conducted them to a little all or mu. , . ~ m MAD smnn. by an open space beneath a great pile of whalebone slabs in one corner. As this could only be reached by climb- ing over the top of the pile and descending on the other side. 7 and as their guide declared that it was only known to him. self, he alone having been employed in piling up the slabs, Our two friends were much pleased with their temporary re4 ' treat. “And now,” said the old tar, “ I have to caution you about ~ . speaking loud, seeing as the bulkhead is only a few feet from you, and your voice might reach them quiek-eared heathens in the forecastle. The ship sails day after to-morrow, and until ' then you must make yourselves as comfortable as you can in this narrow fiole, and with the provision which I shall lower to you.” “ Many thanks, my friend,” said Frank. “ We‘ shall never forget your kindness.” ’ “ It isn’t worth mentioning,” replied, the other. “ Ben Williams is always ready to help a shipmate, and the man - who isn’t is worse than a shark.” , , . : So saying, he crawled out of the opening and left the hold, 'to return, a few minutes after, with a small package of pro— visions and a keg of water, which he lowered from the top of the‘whalebone'pile to the two men below. With a hearty, ‘ good-night, he then ascended to the deck and cautiously closed ' the hatch. ' CHAPTER 11. .‘ V A “mutant CAPTAIN. on the morning of the 23d, a whaleboat was sent ashore ' ‘from the Monongahela for the two pasSengerS, the doctor and ; his daughter Lilian, who stood upon the landing, ready to em- ' ibark. - . y 6- "P Why, papa,” whispered the young girl, uneasily, as the boat rglided alongside the little wharf, “ these men are all savages l" ’ .The doctor smiled. ' ' ' F‘ 4 "All the crew,wlth the exception of the captain, two white / me man, and the cook, are New-Zealanders,” he. replied. “It 'il " ‘ not uncommon to find, whaleships thus manned, owing to thoi desertion of so many of the original crews. A vessel of this kind seldom brings home the same men who went out in her." A “ I don't like'the appearance of these creatures," continued Lilian; “ they look so fierce. I am really afraid of them, al- though,” she quickly added, “ I may be very foolish to feel so. They are not to blame for being so ugly.” The doctor seized her wrist. . “ Your pulse is not quite regular,” said he; “ you are a little nervous. You had better take one of my pills.” “ Oh, no, you are quite mistaken, papa, if you think I am unwell.” Before her father could reply, the officer of the oat, a tall, Wild-eyed native, with wrinkled brows and long, crooked teeth, sprung ashore, and bowing, abruptly addressed the doctor: “ If you Doctor Claret and dis your daughter, you best get into de boat fast as you can.” ' “These are to go with us," said Claret, pointingto a couple - of trunks; “ and—oh, no, my good man,” he interrupted, as the savage moved quickly toward the baggage, “you can do nothing withrthem alone. You will have to get some of the men to assist you. I was obliged to hire seven Chiliansto bring them here.” ' “ Chilian lazy dog,” grunted the New~Zealander, as he coolly shouldered one' of the trunks and passed it to the men in the boat; “ dis no much heavy.” . “ There’s muscle for you i” cried the doctor, turning to Lilian; “the result of constant exercise in the open air. Nev» , ertheless. I have even known men of this stamp to be sorely' afflicted With (livers complaints of the bones, such as rheum atism, and such like. My friend,” he added, confronting the native, as he prepared to shoulder the other trunk, “ how is your pulse ?” " “What say ?" inquired the ofilcer, looking much puzzled. “Is your pulse regular?” “ Me no understand!” cried the savage, impatiently. “ N0 care stop to tail: for nothing. Getting up anchor: must hurry aboard. Think more of dat dan pulse, as you call him}.' And picking up the trunk he deposited it the boat. . "" mxmnm-n < ““ Not very polite, certainly,” remarked the doctor. ' “ I ’ know by the wild, restless gleaming of his eyes that he needs something to soothe him. One of my pills would have that efl’ect.” ' “ Hey, dere l” shouted the islander, as he took his place in the stern-sheets, “ you want to be leave ashore, eh? Come quickee, get into de boat.” 3, The doctor sprung into the bow, and carefully helped his ‘daughter to the after-thwart, which was prepared for her accommodation. . “ Now then,you Can start as soon as you like,” he exclaim- ed; and seizing his steering-oar, the dusky oflicer ‘quickly whirled the boat’s head around. “ Hi, hil now den! spring, my men I” he shouted; “ don’t Let grass grzw on boat!" “ Hi, hi, hi l" shrieked the dark crew in response, and the ashen blades whirled through the water. The'boat was soon alongside of the ship, and Lilian was “sisted to the deck by the first officer, a gigantic New-Zea- hnder, wearing great brass rings in his cars. ., “ Where is the captain ?” inquired Dr. Claret, as the trunks were being hoisted'from the boat. “ By Windlass, watching men heaving at the brakes," answered the mate. “ Me go and bring aft here in a minute.” I Lilian glanced forward, and her cheek poled a little as she encountered the wild eyes of more than twenty fierce-looking islanders who were heaving in the slack of the cable. Some of them wore thick rolls of white cotton cloth twisted about their brows in the form of a turban, others were bareheaded, ’ and all were stripped nearly to the waist, as if they took pride in displaying the hideous tattoo marks with which their skin wds discolored. Suddenly one of them started a shrill, barbar- ‘ous chant, and the rest soon broke forth in chorus, their voices being so harsh and discordant that Lilian fclt tempted to press her hands to her ears. I“ Papa, I’m afraid we‘ve got into a curious ship," she mur- mured, nestling close to the doctor‘s side. “ I see no white watfl."“' ‘ " :‘ Beggin’ you: pardon," said a joint; them, “I'v- A. f.‘ I I! 5 I; . , . a" mom can; ' \ white, and there's two others of the same color below, a-loo '- lng for handspikes." . Claret and his daughter turned to behold a tall, thin seaman, " with a remarkably small waist, a long face, and red, fiery eyes. “Tim Collins, at your sarvice,” he continued, with a low ‘ bow. “ I’m the steward, and beg leave to inform this young , lady that she needn’t go 'to be frightened, as them Kanakas is all perfectly harmless. As to us whites, our color is a suffi- cient recommendation, with the exception of one, and that one is me, who is subject to certain fits, at certain times, of break- ing up things—a general ‘smashing-up fit,’ which makes it necessary to tie me up to prevent my doing mischief.” “ That is singular enough,” said Claret. ber ever hearing of such a case before. Your newts, probably. have been injured in seine way. Permit me to offer you one of my pills.” ' “They would do me no good,” answered Collins. “ The fit of which I speak is constitutional—inherited from my mother." “ Indeed? It must give you a great deal of trouble.” “ So it does. I always tell my captain bf my infirmity bow fore I ship, hows’ever, and also inform him that I'm parfectly willing to be tied up whenever it comes upon me. So you see it’s at his option whether to take me or not.” “ I don’t remem- The skipper was now seen approaching, and Collins hastened. I into the cabin. “ Good-morning, Captain Wythe,” said the doctor, extending his hand to the master of the vessel. “ I perceive we are aboard in time.” “ Ay, ay,” replied the skipper, bowing and lifting his cap to Lilian ; “in good time. A few more heaves there at the brakes will raise the anchor. Precious freight," he added, nodding his head toward the young girl. , Claret introduced them, and Lilian thought the captain one. of the most singular-looking beings she .had ever seen. Rather above than below the middling hight, his form was wasted almost to the proportions of a skeleton, while his arms were so long that they extended below his knees. His face was thin and'haggard; the skin of the hue of parchment, and theforehead disfigured by two scars of a dark purple color Interacting each other in such a way as to resemble a cross ._d'.-,n :. 4.. u ' ' " "m MAD SKIPPER. ' ' His brows, shaggy and crooked, projected far ovenhis eyes, the pupils of which were surrounded by circles of a greenish hue; and there was a wild, wandering expression in these sunken orbs which seemed to betoken a mind ill at ease. His .dress, different from that of most whaling captains, consisted of a round, curious-looking canvas cap, a short SpaniSh cloak, gray pants, and long, pointed shoes. “ You were never before on board a whaleship, Miss Claret ?" “ No; and I am surprised at the—" “ Scarcity of white men here, you would say,” Sharply and rudely interruyted the skipper; “ but I can assure you that Kanakas make as good sailors as the whites do. My thirty years’ experience at sea has convinced me of that." ‘ “ Reallyfif cried the doctor, “ I am quite surprised to hear you , say so. I perceive,” he added, glancing aloft, “that some of your islanders are already loosening the topsails.” “Ay, ay; we’ll soon get under way. We have a fine breeze for leaving the harbor. Ho there, steward! this way i”, he‘ shouted, as Collins suddenly thrust his head through the. companion way. I The steward advanced, and the captain ordered him to get some of the men to help carry the passengers’ trunks below. “I wonder if they’ll ever come up again I” he added, in a hollow voice. ' “ I don’t understand you,” said Claret. . “ Ay, ay, that's the way of the world. Nobody understands me i" muttered the strange captain, grinding his teeth. “ Round and round, all the time; that’s the way it goes, roaring, surg— ing, and crashing; taking in every thing that comes near it i" A lurid light burned in his deep-set eyes ; he rubbed his thin ‘ hands together, and paced the deck with quick, nervous strides. “ Incomprehensible l” whispered Claret to his daughter. “ What can he mean ‘?” “ I'm sure I don’t know, papa," replied the astonished girl; “he talked rationally at first.” ' l‘he doctor pulled his pill-box from his pocket, and advanced to the captain’s side. ‘ I “. Excuse me,” he said, putting his hand upon the other’l shoulder, “but I think you are laboring under some nervous derangement of the mental—4’ \ M ' whim war. , ‘ » It “ What i” interrupted Wythe, with startling vehemenee, turn- ing his glaring eyes full upon the doctor’s face. “ What! Do you mean to insult me ?” ' “ I am a physician,” answered Claret, drawing himself up with professional pride, “and as such have a right to make suggestions to my patients. These pills,” he continued, taking - a couple from the box, “ you will find immensely beneficial in ‘. your case.” ' “I am not one of your patients, sir, and want nothing to do with your pills, so you may as well put them back in your «Leer pocket. But hark ye, doctor,” he quickly added, the lurid ‘ ‘ ~ light again burning in his green eyes, “ what is your opinion of Whirlpools ?" ‘ ‘ u ‘2" “Whirlpools! Whirlpools l" hissed the captain, through his set teeth. “ They are very dangerous, I believe,” replied the doctor, much surprised at thequestion. “ I never saw one, however, in my life.” “ Ay, ay. Dangerous—what of that?" muttered Wythe, turning abruptly upon his heel. “ I care nothing for the danger.” . “ Papa,” whispered Lilian, “ how strangely he acts! We have certainly got into‘a curious ship. Perhaps we had better go ashore again.” “Oh no, we must not think of doing that. This strange 'eaptain is a ‘ valuable case’ for me to study, by doing which, n I may benefit the whole profession. I think, but am not as yet quite positive, that he is laboring under some mental deL rangement caused by a bad state of the nerves; the result of overeating and neglect of proper exercise. But hark,” he added, hearing the rippling of the watergabout the vessel’s bows, “ we are under way.” ’ “ Why, so we are," cried Lilian, and she ran to the lee rail to watch the receding shore. . Topsails and topgallants having been sheeted and hoisted, the vessel was now running along before a moderate breeze at the rate of four knots. An islander stood at the wheel; the rest of the men were occupied in cutting and fishing the air ‘ ahor, and in dragging the cable mnidshipe with their 'chain‘ , ‘ ‘ hooks. Thus employed, they did not notice a sail-boat cons ‘ taining four men, two of whom were pulling with might and main toward the ship, and the others shouting and gesticulat- . ing vehemently to attract the attention of those on board. Lilian, who had perceived the little vessel the moment she glanced over the rail, now pointed it out to her father, remark- ing that she believed two of its occupants were vigilantes. The doctor pulled a small spy-glass from his pocket, and utter a hasty survey declared she was right. “ I hope none of the officers will see them,” he whispered, v' "for it’s easy enough to guess who they are after. Do you understand me ?” t “ Oh yes," answered Lilian, slightly blushing. “ I remem- ber you told me this morning that those two deserters had concealed themselves in the ship." “I hope they are in a good hiding—place,” said the doctor. “ The mate will probably see the boat in a minute, and wait for it, and the poor fellows will certainly be ferreted out if they are not careful.” “ That would be too bad, said Lilian, earnestly. ' the officers won’t get sight of the boat.” She looked much disappointed, the next moment, in seeing u I hope “ t the dusky mate spring to the waist rail and gaze at the ap- proaching boat. Nor could she suppress a cry of vexation when she heard him order his men to haul buck the main- yard. ' “ What’s that for?” yelled the captain from the quarter- dcck. . “ Boat want to come aboard,” responded the islander—“ boat with two vigilantes in him.” The captain looked surprised and impatient, and watched I the boat with a lowering countenance until it glided along- “ Side. ‘ “ What do you want?” he roughly inquired. as the two vigilantes sprung to the deck with rattling scabbards. “ Come, I have no time to lose! Speak quickly, and tell me your er- rand." , . - This the two men explained in broken English. “ Well," replied the captain, “ if- you suspect there are do- , ’ stowed Away in my ship, you are welcome to leach \ “9": 0w»;— m' L for mam, provided you don't take more than fifteen minutes to do so.” “ Si, si, senor,” answered one of the men; “ me think we can find them in that time it‘ they be here. We will search the forecastle first.” “Very well, be as lively as you can,” said the captain; and turning upon his heel, he resumed his walk while the two vigilantes, moving forward, descended into the forecastle Drawing their swords, so as to be prepared for resistance they peered into the bunks, overturning the bedclothes therein, ‘nnd thrust the points of their weapons into obscure corners; when, finding their search unsuccessful, they proceeded to the V fore-hold. Here empty barrels and cnsks were overturned, coils of rigging thrust aside, and great bunches of oakmn pulled asunder, after which the pile of whalebone slabs was scrutinized with suspicious glances. “ Perhaps open space behind where man could hide i” said one of the vigil-antes, addressing the second mate, who had accompanied them into the hold. “Perhaps man get there by climbing over the top.” “ No t’ink so,” answered the dusky officer, “ but look dare if you like. Got two minutes more to look.” Accordingly, one of the men clambered to the top of the pile; but before he could lower himself on the other side, the stern voice of the captain was heard at the hatchway. " Amoki,”—‘—this was the name of the second mate—“ tell those two men to come up and leave the ship at once. D’ye hear there ‘3" , “Ay, ay.” replied the other, and with an agile spring, he gained the top of the whalebone slabs, and caught the police- man by his cloak. “ Come—no look any more; time up; must leave de ship 1" “ In few minutes; tell the captain to wait few minutes”. - “Not one second i” screamed the New-Zealander. " No mm ' want in ship any longer." The man, however, quickly jerked his cloak from the other's grasp, and dropping to the deck, immediately discovered, at the bottom of the pile, the opening from which protruded the heads of the two deserters. “Hal hot hemk—thtswayk—herethoy—J V... sew-gunman. s u now; .-‘, . y : -< I ' . V ‘ _ mammals. ' The hand of the New-Zealander, tightly pressing his win ' pipe, prevented the conclusion of the sentence. - “ When me tell you leave the 'ship," cried the savage, fiercely, “ me like you do so. If not me kill quick l” The vice-like grasp upon his throat deprived the Chilian of all power of resistance. His sword dropped from his hand; his eyes and tongue protruded ; his face began-to grow purple ; it was evident that the enraged savage intended to choke him to death. In fact, he would have accomplished his purpose, but for the’ interference of Frank Harland, who now sprung to his feet, and eizing the mate by the shoulders, pulled him backyard with a force that caused him to let go his hold. . “ You carry matters too far, my friend,” said the young man. “ You must not commit murder.” “ Hil hi l who dis? What dis mean ?” astonished savage, staring upon the two deserters. you come from? No like you meddle with me." - “ I couldn’t stand by and see you kill the man," answered Frank; “ but I can assure you that I had no objection to your other movements. I may add that I am glad to perceive that exclaimed the i‘ Where ‘ .our Chilian friend is not disposed to remain any longer in our - company.” “Hel he! hel” laughed little Joe Plansh—“ there he go, scrambling over top of bone pile as if dogs after him.” ‘ In fact, the policeman did not stop until he had gained the deck, where he found his comrade, who had been considerably alarmed by his protracted absence. “ Now, then I" cried the captain, who stood near the fore- mast', “ you will be good enough to leave my ship. The quicker the better l" . “Si, senor," replied the discomfited policeman, “if you please make desorters come up from below.” “ Deserters l" “ Yes, below there in bold." ' lated his adventure. “ Captain,” said old Ben Williams, who, being at work near the foremast, had overheard every word that was said—'- “ Captain, I think the man is mistaken. About half an hour ago I heard them two little savages, the cabin-boy and his And in a few words he re- ' chufl,say they were a-going into the fore-hold to pickvoakum TEE s'rowswus. ' 89", ’ so I haven’t any doubt it was them that was seen by this chap.” ‘ “Ay, ay, that clears 1.1) the matter,” cried Wythe; “so away you go," he' added, turning to the vigilante. “You , perceive there was a mistake made.” “ No, no, it was not an islander—me quite sure of that, though the hold was a little dark, and—” “ Nonsense !" shouted the skipper, impatiently. “ You are a stupid blunderer! Do you suppose I shall allow you to. carry otl‘ two of my own men 1’” - , “ filt, senor—4’ “ Not another word ! Time enough has been lesbalready. Your deserters are not in the ship ' “You mistake, sefior, the—” “ Blast your eyes!" thundered the skipper, stamping furi- ously upon the (leek, “I tell you I have no time to bandy useless words with you. There are no deserters in the craft. A by with them into the boat!” he added, turning to his crew. This command was promptly obeyed. The vigilantes were seized and bundled unceremoniously into their boat. The warp was then cut, and the ship’s main-yard braced forward, much to the satisfaction of old Ben Williams, who grinned with delight as he saw the boat dropping astern. A few minutes after, however, Amoki emerged from the fore-hold, and hastening to the quarter—deck, related to the -' captain his discovery of the two deserters. “ You must be mistaken." “No; tell you me speak to ’em; one American and one Portuguese.” The skipper hastened to the hatchway and summcned the two men on deck. ' “ What ship did you belong to ?” he inquired. “ The Whaler Marmion, of New Bedford,” answered Frank, “ which sailed a few days ago.” The captain glanced over the mil at the vigilantes’ boat, which was now full fifty fathoms distant, careering swiftly toward the landing-place. \ ‘ “ Shall we signal boat, and wait for him to come aboard!" ‘ inquired the mate. - ' ‘short-handed,’ I have no objection to the services of these two men. Ben Williams 1” ' “ Ay, ay, sir,” cried the old tar, looking very guilty as he advanCed. “ You knew the two men in the hold were not the cabin- boy and his friend. You knew they were these two desert- ers, did you not?” ‘ “ Seeing as no harm can come to ’em now, I may as well .own up that I did,” answered Ben. “ Well, see that you never deceive me in that way win,” cried the skipper. “ As you have got me two extra hands, however, I’ll forgive you this time“ So that ends the mat~ ter.” . \ “ Shall we get up stu’n’-sails ?” inquired the first oflicer. Wythe did not answer. His eyes, lighted by the lurid gleam, were fixed upon space, as if his mind had suddenly wandered from the subject of conversation. ,The New-Zealander repeated his question, and then, starting quickly, likevone suddenly waking from a bad dream, the captain clutched the arm of the savage, and pointing aloft, ' replied, in a voice that rung like a thunderbolt through every part of the ship: “ Studding-sails and royalsl Ay, ayl crack it on the old craft—every thing she can carry l and when you hear it roar, letme know i” “Me no understand. What roar ?" timidly and respectfully inquired the dusky mate. “ Roar—I said roar, fool,” shouted the captain, while flakes ' of foam flew from his white lips. “ You shall know in time what I mean ! Up with 'studding-sails and royals there! not me hear the groaning of the timbers—the cracking of ‘ the masts—the booming of our broad bows! I‘lo ! hol there, bestir yourselves, all hands! We have no time to lose l Round and round it goes, roaring, crashing, and thundering like an avalanche l Steadyhat the helm l" While some of the )neni'were engaged in sheeting home royals and preparing studding-sails, Frank and the old tar. Mn Williams, darted aloft to rig out the main-topmast stud- dingan 'boom They were soon on the yard, and, while F No; we have lost too much time already. Besides, being, ' “frog-like” voice of Dr. Claret. ,‘ » ‘ THE DOCTOR Aw”- shoving out the boom, the young man touched his companion upon the shoulder. . “ What is it, lad ?" ' “ Your captain is a strange man.” “ So I told you from the first." “ Ay, ay ; but don’t you think his mind is a little deranged 1’" “ Well, sometimes I’ve thought so, and then again I’ve al- tered my determination. He talks sensibly enough as a gen- eral thing; but, may I be blasted if I can make out what he means when he gets on that topic about‘ the going round and round,’ and that infarnal ‘ roariug.’ He always had a wild way with him, but it’s only since he was taken with brain fever—which happened about two months before we made the port of San Carlos—that he got upon this ‘ round, roaring’ way of speechifying, which is sartainly very peculiar and mystifying It even puzzles Tom Collins, who is very sensible-like, excepting when he gets into one of his smashing- up fits.” “ Into what .9” “ A smashing-up fit. If you have a nice pipe, mate, or any thing of value that can be broken. I’d advise you to keep it out of Tom’s sight, for he’ll sartainly smash it if it happens to be near him when the fit ‘comes on. He can’t help it, hows’ever, seeing as it’s ‘ constitutionality.’ ” ‘-‘ He must be a singular chap.” “ Not a bit of it, excepting when the fit comes; but, if we happen to see him in time, we can tell by sax-tam signs when that’s a-comiug on, and prevent his doing execution by tyin’ him up, to which he never objects.” Frank was about to reply, when he heard behind him the “Young man, allow me to congratulate you upon your escape.” -', Much surprised, both seamen turned to behold the doctor clinging to the yard with both hands, his brown coat-tails flapping about in the wind. » “You perceive that I am quite a sailor, having ascended thus far without assistance,” cried the man of medicine, smil- ing. “ The fact is, I have felt like exercising all the morning. There is nothing like exercise to strengthen and invizonts \ “autumn.”_._.._.._...._._m.._s.-...... e . , . the constitution. It was partly on that account, and partly for the purpose of congratulating you, that I came up here." “My dear sir,” said Frank, smiling, “I thank you very much; but as you are not used to being aloft, you had better go below as quick as you can. A roll of the ship might ‘ throw you off." “ I should certainly be glad to take your advice if I could,” answered the doctor, now hugging the yard with both arms; “ but having got thus far, I can neither go any further, not yet can I return.” “ Why, my eyes i” cried Ben Williams, “ it’s as simple as the tying of a square knot. The slightest bit of a sheer to lar- board will carry you into the rigging." “ Unfortunately,” replied Claret, “ I now feel the inevita- ble consequences of exercising on an empty stomach. My legs and arms are shaking so that I am totally unable to perform the ‘ sheer’ to which you so kindly allude.” The old tar turned aside his head to conceal a broad grin; while Frank, gently grasping the doctor’s arm, soon contrived to get him in- to the rigging. With great trepidation, Claret then descended to the deck, / where he encountered his daughter, who threw her arms im- pulsively around his neck. “ 0h, papa! 'I was so frightened. How could you ven- ture so far aloft! 4 I expected, every moment to see you fall to the deck, you trembled so while clinging to that boom 1" “ Oh! so you have been watching me," said Claret, looking much confused. “ I left you in the cabin and had no idea you would come up before I returned to the deck. Is it possible you could see me tremble while so far from me ?" y “ Yes, you shook like an aspen, papa, and you would cer- t ainly have fallen had you been left to yourself.” “ Ahem—well—yes, I dz'd tremble a. little on account of ex- ercising on an empty stomach; but as to falling, I hardly think that could have happened, as I was perfectly self-possess- ed. I may add,” continued the doctor, drawing himself up, that “ our profession " are remarkable for having their wits about them under every circumstance.” “Breakfast 1” shouted Tom Col‘ins, at this juncture, thrust- . in; hi! long face through the companion-way. __..._~__-_r_~ -. _ - Amine—Wm. fl \' The captain, however, who stood leaning against the weathn er-rail with downcast 'eyes and knitted brow, paid no atten- tion to the announcement; perceiving which, the steward re posted the word in a louder voice. Still the moody skip- per said nothing. Doctor Claret fidgeted and looked im- patient. v “ Really, Lilian,” said he, “ I have quite an appetite and I am sorry that this strange captain is so indifferent to the word ‘ breakfast.’ I must rouse him from his trance." As he moved toward the skipper, however, Tom Collins in- terposed : “ Hist ! my dear sir i he's ‘ wrapped up in his reverie.’ all of us, in fact—-—never to do so." “ But, the breakfast—the breakfast, my friend i It will get cold.” ‘ “ Oh, no,” answered Collins, “there’s not the slightest need of your waiting for the captain. You may go below at once, if you have no objection to eating with a New-Zealander l” “ Not the least,” answered Claret, “ provided he’s civil.” “Ay, ay, he’s civil enough, Onoolo is; always minds his own business. I’ll summon him at once. -The captain or- dered me, t'other day, never to wait breakfast for . him when he‘s in his reverie. to the mate, who at that moment came aft. “ Ay, ay," answered the savage, showing his hooked teeth, and shaking the rings in his ears. “ Ay, ay, very well, dat." And he plunged through-the companion-way with a suddenness that made the doctor stare. “ Now then, come on, please i” cried Collins, bowing three times to Claret and his daughter, as he backed on “ tiptoe ” into the companion-way. “ Come on.” You mustn’t intrudnupon him when He gave orders to me——to Accordingly, the doctor took his daughter’s arm, and con- - ducted her to the state-room, in which they found the New- Zealander already seated at the table, desperately attacking a pyramid of biscuits, fresh' pork, fried potatoes, etc., etc, which ‘ he had piled upon his plate. The truth of the steward’s state- ment, that Onoolo minded his own business, was not to be dis puted; for he paid not the slightest heed either to the doc- tor or Lflim, but, handling his knife and fork in a Breakfast ready, sir i" he added, turning .‘ mmm peculiar to the people of his race when provided with such in- v stunnents, he thrust his food into his mouth and chewed it with astonishing rapidity. Collins, however, still moving upon the tips of his toes, po- litely motioned the two passengers to their places, and put the cdibles in the position most convenient for them to reach. “ Sorry the captain‘s in his reverie," said he, “for I know he'd be glad to do the honors of the table.” “ Never mind,” replied the doctor, “ we shall get along very well." They—that is to say, Claret and his daughter—had nearly finished their n'al, when they saw the steward make a violent ' pass with his clutched list, as if striking at some “ invisible " antagonist, while his whole face wrinkled with the most sin- gular contortions. One corner of his mouth was twisted to- ward his left ear; his nose and his brows were moved rapidly; he winked with both eyes! “ Good heavens i" cried Claret, “ what is the matter, my friend ‘1’" _ “ Nothing, only it’s a-coming on i” eXclaimed Collins, with a strong nasal twang, at the same time jerking both elbows violently, “it’s a-coming on, my smashing-up lit—and I’d thank somebody to tie me up at once! Come, Onoolo—- 4 quick l" The New-Zealand'er, however, having just made an attack upon an enormous chunk of salt beef, continued to eat vora- ciously, paying no attention to the summons. “ It’s u-coming on i” continued Collins, dancing around the . state-room, “ there’ll be ruin here, directly, if I ain’t tied up 1” “Tie up, when get through eat—not before,” grunted the mate, with his mouth full. “ That will probably be too late,” said Claret, jumping from his chair. “ However, I have something here,”—pulling the pill-boxi from his pocl p, and get it ready; for it’ll come in use in a short time, un- . jg, less I’m much mistaken." A l ‘ ; ‘ He had scarcely quitted the deck, when several of the islanders arose, and moving to the weather-rail, seemed to hold a whispering consultation, now and then directing a side glance toward the two men seated upon Windlass. They were soon joined by others, when their conversation became more mutated. Ominous sereeehea and angry exclamation! : .hind. us,” whispered Frank. mmm flillowed'; the glances darted toward the deserters wem now more fierce and frequent than before: it was quite evident that some scheme of revenge against the dwarf was being planned, “ There is a handspike and a crowbar, Joe, on the deck be “The moment those fellows come toward us, we must‘jiiek them up, then jump behind the Windlass and stand with our backs to the huightheadsl ' Do you understand?” “ Yeesl yeesl but you better go below and leave poor Joe to‘ take care of himself. Me can run up the rigging.” “ Nonsense; they would follow you.” “ Me look out they not catch me. N 0 use your getting your- ‘eelf into trouble on account of little chap like me.” “Hist! Do you suppose I’d finsnlic you? you, who have done so much for me? If you hint at such a thing again I shall feel offended.” As he spoke, the sight of a large hand-saw which an [slander had procured from the captain‘s chest, and was bring in‘g forward, cleared up his doubts as to the nature of the punishment meditated against his friend. At the period of ‘which we write, the practice of “ cobbing," as it is termed by ' seht‘eoring men, Was quite common aboard merchant and 'whaling vessels ; that is to say, the luekless wight who gave offense to his shiptnates, was at once thrown across the wind;- lass, face downward, and held in that uncomfortable position while some one of the crew inflicted blow after blow upon his book with the flat part of a hand-saw. Frank determined that his chum should endure no such insult at the hands of the savages; in fact, Joe himself declared he would sooner die than suffer the outrage, In order, how- ever, not to get his friend into trouble on his account, he sprung toward the rigging, intending to run alott. To his surprise and disappointment, he had no sooner grasped the shrouds than he beheld the tall form of a New-Zeuiander, who had stealthily mounted to the top on the‘windwurd side, de- scending toward him! There being no other alternative now, he bonnded over the Windlass, and picking UP “18 handspike, took his place by the side of Frank, who, crowbar in hand, Itood with his back to the knightbcadfl- The islanders glared at the two men a few wounds; that U the muzzle pointed toward them. i" - ...<,.-..v..:v ~,. . - norm mm upproaching, one of their number ordered the dwarf tau-step _ ‘ back again to the other side of the Windlass. “ Yeesi yeesl you want to strike me with the saw! Me. sooner die than be lick in that way i" ' “ Own fault; take away scouse kid i” “ Me have right to do so; you would eat up all the break. fast so me two friends have none.” ' ' “ Friends no here to breakfast, must have none. Dnt’s right..." “ No, it’s not right.” “ T’ink oderways you t’ink. Must ‘ cob’ you.” “ Kill me first 1" “ Hii hi! kill quick if no ‘cob.’ ” ‘ ‘And picking up crowbars and hendspikes, the savage: were on the point of leaping over the Windlass, when they were checked by the stern voice of Ben Williams. “ Hold 1 the first one that jumijs a dead lubber l" 4 Turning, they saw the old sailor armed with his snot-gun, They exchanged glances and looked irrcsolute; but soon a _ peculiar gleam flushed from their eyes. They had seen the “5‘ islander aloft glide stealthily but quickly down one of the backstays and leap behind the try-works. Soon he reap- peared, creeping like a cut around the angle of the brick- ' i > work—no doubt intending to spring upon the old sailor ' from behind. The Windlass, together with the group of », savages standing in front of it, screened him from the gaze of the two men by the knighthcads. “ You’d better put down your handspikes and crowbarsl” continued Ben. “ I’d rather not shoot you if it can be helped.” “If do so," said one of the New-Zealmders, in order to gain time—“ if (10‘ so you mustput away gun." “ Sartainly; that‘s square enough.” “ No t'ink you keep word.” “ N ever broke it in my life. Down with them weapons. -;1 and down goes my gun; that is, provided you promise also v 71; not to meddle with Frank and the Portuguese, hereafter." “No like make promise.” . ' V “ Ay, ay, but you must if you want to put an end to our present bearings ag’in each other.” " “ W011. put down gun first." .7. .i..'. r... -4 r..- _ ~-—, _.... 4.; n-_.... .4— I m m m " “ Not a bit of it, seeing as you are the attackers.” " Then not put. down handspikes and crowbars.” “ If you don’t I shall—9’ ‘ Before he could say another word, he was pulled to the deck by the strong arms of the savage behind; and the next moment the gun was jerked from his grasp by one of the natives in front. With fierce yells, the whole hand then :rowded around him. His hands and feet were tied, and then the man who got possession of the gun lifted the weapon to strike him upon the head. He was prevented from doing so, however, by Frank, who with his chum had quitted the Vlinightheads the moment he saw the old tar thrown down. A blow from his handspike stunned the savage so that he stag-~ get-ed to one side; and the young man had seized the gun to snatch it from the other‘s relaxing grasp, When .he was vio- lently hurled upon his back by two of the savages. They bound his feet with strong cords; then one of them pressed his hand upon his throat and his knee upon his breast, while the other tied his arms. By his side lay the dwarf, secured in a similar manner. ' t “ Hi 1 hi i" gritted one of the New-Zealanders, stooping and peering triumphantly into Frank’s face. “ Make you all same - unless keep still and no struggle. “You are a set of cowardly dogs,” gasped the prostrate man, “ and—” The tightening of the hand upon his throat prevented the ' conclusion of the sentence. His brain grew dizzy»; he was unable to 'breathe; sharp, agonizing pains shot through his 'head. He struggled violently to release himself, but in vain; and there is no doubt the savage would have accomplished his ' intention of choking him to death, but for the interference of Onoolo, who,having finished his breakfast, had just emerged from the companion-way. ' “ Hi1 hil derel” exclaimed this worthy, rushing forward, “what you ’hout derel Stop ! stop (lat work at once 1” He pushed aside an islander who was beating Ben upon the head with his fists, and ordered the one who was strangling Frank to’ let go his hold. a f‘ What all dis mean t" he angrily inQUil‘cd, as the savage: released the prostrate men. “ Speak QUiCk—I like to know i" J», to; .V .,,. '1‘; tfl'fiéu‘ ~ noonLM' ‘ ‘ Before they could reply, the captain, who had come on deck soon after Onoolo, darted into the midst of the group, his eyes rolling in his head, his whole face convulsed with frantic rage. ‘ “Go below, you miserable‘dogs!" he shrieked, glancing round upon the islanders. “ Go below before I tear you limb from limb! Oh! you black-skinned villains! ye miserable curs; do you dare to make a disturbance aboard my ship? Go below, I tell ye—-every man of you l" The men did not move; they glanced at the dusky mate as tf waiting for him to sanction the captain’s order. “ Blast ye, why don't you obey !” roared the skipper, picks ing up a handspike. “Jump! jump, I tell ye !” “Capenl” said Onoolo, “dey no like to be call namesy, I'pose you speak to ’em like gentleman dey go.” “ A gentleman! Who do you suppose could speak to rascals of their color like a gentleman or—” “ Remember, I of de same color,” interrupted the mate, his eyes flashing angrily. “S'pose you call dem dogs you calL me dog too ‘3” “ Ay, ay, you and every other native is but little better than a dog—I repeat it 1” yelled the captain, stamping the deck in his rage. , “ But l" he suddenly added, while a strange, rest- less, unmeaning glance shot from his eyes, “ what difl‘erence does it make, since we'll all go down together! Ho! Jho! 'hol—Wc’ll soon hear the roaring and see the whirling of the mad waters as they go round and round ! Royals, studding-sails, everything she can carry—crack ’em on the old ship! A merry, merry time of it we‘ll have going down among the sea-demons 1‘” He pressed his hands to bisbrow, and glowering a‘, the savages, broke into a fit of wild, unearthly laughter, that rung through every corner of the ship. “ lli! hi !" exclaimed Onoolo, the angry expression in his eyes giving place to one of mingled veneration and awe. “ Me half t‘ink so, before, but certain now. ‘ Hooki-nu,’ (a spirit of the air) speak to this man. He see what goin’ to happen bo- fm'happen. Mus’ (lo eberyting he tell us." A' low murmur circulated among the dusky group. They huddled closely together with bowed heads, and eyes expressing u game an and Wonder; for, like the American savages, many or the islanders of the Pacific respect the madman as a being » .endowed with supernatural wisdom. Meanwhile, peal after pea] of maniac laughter continued to, break from the captain’s lips, until, as if suddenly waking , / from some fearful dream, he started, glared around him in a = bewildered manner, and then, turning upon his heel, darted aft, and rushed into the cabin. “ Go below,” whispered Onoolo to his dusky shipmates. “ He tell go below. Mus’ do cheryting he say. Fas’en scuttle after you get on steps.” . The men obeyed, after which the mate severed the cords about the feet and wrists of the three men. ’ “ I have not yet squared accounts with the rascal who pounded me while I was down i” cried Ben, springing to his feet. “ Nor I with the one who tried to choke me i” exclaimed 'Frnnk. “ Nor yet with the villain who struck down my poo little chum.” v - ” Some odder time,” said the mate; “when go ashore guess hab chance to fight out. Bes’ let alone, now. Men all below and scuttle fastenet .” “Ay, ey,” cried' Ben. “ We’ll wait until we can face ’em on equal terms, and then, blast me, if we don’t make ’em dance.” “Might be so, and might not. Any rate, must not fight aboard ship. You three white men mus’ live in steerage rest of time; den no chance for quarrel.” ‘ CHAPTER Iv. OFF THE CAPE. WAFTED by a fair wind, the Monongahela, in due course of time, passed the Isle of Desolation, and drew near the stormy latitudes of the Cape. The weather seemed to grow colder every hour; the sun, obscured by Iowan-colored clouds, seldom \ v I m ABATBOSB. smiled upon the lone ship, and the spray of the upheaving' seas were often frozen to ice upon the shrouds. Perched upan‘ ,' the curling crests of the waves, large flocks of albatrosses were. now frequently seen, watching with kingly majesty the great yellow hull of the vessel as it boomed along with creaking masts and yards. There is something singularly grand and imposing in the appearance of these enormous whitei birds, ,‘with their proudly arched necks and calm, piercing eyes. When caught, as they often are, by means of a hook and line, - and transferred to a ship's deck, from which they are unable to rise by their own efforts, they show no signs of fear or tre-I pidation, but with an air of dignified contempt, unflinchiugly return the gaze of their captors. - Perhaps the crew of the Monongahela might have amused themselves, occasionally, by catching one or two‘ of the feath. cred monsters, had not the boisterous state of the weather, and the drenching seas breaking over the forward rails, prompted every man—when on deck and not occupied in working the ship—to seek the shelter of the round-house. Here, the, islanders would form a group by themselves on one side of ‘ ‘ the wheel, while Ben Williams, Frank Harland and Joe Plaush took a position on the other. v Notwithstanding the orders of the mate, they would doubt- less have sought and found an opportunity to “thrash ” a .few of their late antagonists, had not the fair Lilian, who had heard an account of the afl‘ray, previously described, persuaded them to “keep the peace,” while aboard the ship. “The New-Zealanders outnumber you two to one," she had said, “and if you succeed in punishing those who Were immediately concerned in assaulting you, you will certainly be murdered afterward, by the rest. They may, in fact, 'extend their revenge so far as to murder every white man in the, ' ship—my father and all.” ’ stationed under the round-house, as mentioned, the three friends would often hear, on stormy nights, the sweet voice of the young girl rising from the cabin, while she sung and played ’ on her guitar, the airs that her father loved. There was some thing singularly bewitching in this music heard in conjunction with the howling of the wind in the rigging and the crashing of the sees as they broke over the vessel. Frank would ‘ , '1.- illsten like one entranced, the eyes of the old tar would sparkle ‘with delight, while Portuguese J oe—poor little dwarf—crouch- w ed up in a. little ball on the deck, would grasp the bars over the cabin windows and peer into the stateroom at the ' ~ fair singer, until his head swam and his strained eyes grew dim. He could never hope to Win the love of this beautiful being; but he could watch her ever-changing countenance, and da- guerreotype its varied expressions upon his heart, to be treas- ,, ured long after she should have passed forever from his sight; he could listen to her voice, and long after it should have died upon his ear, could hear its melody in his own soul. I It was a voice which, on some occasions, even had the pew- er to smooth the wrinkles upon the moody brow of the cap- tain, who seemed to grow more strange and absent-minded every day. In fact, the command of the ship now rested principally with Onoolo, the chief mate, who, having followed a seafaring life almost from his cliildhood,.was an excellent Jailor; and yet, so great was his respect for the madman, that 7 he would have obeyed, without hesitation, any order from the ,same, how fatal soever might have been its consequences. ‘Luckily, for all concerned, he had not thus far been called up- . on to do so; but trimming the sails with true nautical read- iness to meet every variation of the weather, he kept the ves- sel well up to her course. Thus it happened that the ship, ' one atternoon,nodded with her tall masts a salute to the dreary hights of Staten Land off Cape Horn. Partially vailed by a. shroud of dun-colored clouds, the snow-covered peaks of the island were visible about a league to the windward ; also the rocks below, covered with myriads of seals, the continual 'howlingvof which, mingling dismally with the roaring of the surf, was borne to the cars of the crew. A moderate gale was -hlowiug; but as it threatened to increase before night, Onoolo had put the ship under close-reeled topsails and a t'ore-topmast , stay-sail, keeping her full and by, on an easterly course—the Wind being about three points abreast the starboard bow. ’ Portuguese Joe was at the .helm, oftener, it must be ackowl- . edged, glancing at Lilian—who with her father stood near the ..,weather-rnil—than at the compass. or. the ship’s head. The eyes of the little man sparkled like diamonds; hileheeks were \ l i l E i . 4‘s. flushed; his whole 'frame trembled. The presence of the HEAD?! young girl always afi‘ected him in this way; but now, in the; midst of his joy, feelings of poignant anguish stabbed his heart like a. knife, whenever Lilian, turning, glanced over his head' at the restless wake of the ship behind him. Ay, ay, he was so short that she could look straight over his head; and it was this that gulled him; that made him V almost mil at fortune for bringing him into the world. Had it blessed him with the average hight of man, she would not thus have overloode him; his eye would occasionally have met hers, and he might have hoped! “ Steady (lore—where going to !” yelled the mate, us, while indulging these reflections, Joe allowed the vessel to full olf her course two-thirds of a point ; “mind what you about i" “ Ay, ay,” answered the dwarf, and at the same moment every thing seemed to grow dark around him, for Lilian had just descended into the. cabin. Soon, howeVer, he heard the music of her voice and guitar, and glancing through the cabin windows, he saw the fair girl seated upon a sofa in the state-room, by her father‘s side. Not long was he thus entertained ; for the violence of the gale suddenly increasing, ‘ the din of wind and ocean drowned the music of the instruj ‘ ‘ inent and the tones of the singer. The clouds. lowering in dark volumes above the tall masts, added to the gathering ‘ shadows of night, which were only partially relieved by the 7- phosphor-gleam of the waves. Tearing 'throngh the wild V waters as if maddened by the lash of the tempest, the vessel \ was deluged fore and aft by the heavy seas now almost ‘eou— tinually breaking over her. Occasionally, uplifted by some tremendous wave, she would rise with every timber groaning and straining, and then plunging downward with a side lurch, would hury bows and wiudlnss in the roaring, seething waters. “ Clcw up fore and mizzeu tops-ails! lively dcre, lively l" : yelled the mate, as the sharp “ snapping ” of the jib-boom Will suddenly heard. “ Get- iu dem suils quick as. can l” This was soon done, after which, the watch, with the career)? tion of Ben Williams and Frank Harland, who stationed them- selves in the foretop to keep a look-out, were allowed to return '1 to the shelter of the round-houSe. ' - ‘~ ' I 'The two seamen aloft were obliged to cling firmly to the ) l i , r ._-._'... .4 a. :ihrouds to prevent themselves tram being thrown from the top, " Owing to the violent rolling and plunging of the vessel. “ It’s a-blowing pretty hard,” remarked Ben, as the foremast suddenly jerking, sent forth a dismal, warning creak, “ but I think the craft will stand it, seeing as she's gone through every thing thus fur.” ~~ “ Ay, fly, I hope so," answered Frank. I g “ It wouldn’t matter much," continued Ben, “ the perishin’ , of such an old hulk as I am, but that gnl in the cabin is too; 10ver to go to Davy Jones.” “ You are right. She is a noble creature.” ‘ * “ So she is. It was only t’other night that she came up frorn the cabin and slipped a big chunk of gingerbread into my hand, while I was at the wheel. ‘Here, Ben,’ says she, ‘ is something to help you pass away the time. I saved it for you instead of eating it myself, as I am not very fond of this kind of cake.’ I “ ‘ Why bless your eyes, miss,’ says I, ‘ you‘d better keep-it for yourself, seeing as the cabin larder isn’t overstocked, and, notvwishin’ to contradict you, I never knowed a lass yet that wasn’t fond of gingerbread.’ “She put the cake into my hand, hows’ever. and tripped - the, head of a. man suddenly rose to view above the edge of - the top. ' , “Ay, ay I” cried a. shrill voice—“who’s this? Ho! ho! 110! two look-outs in the top! Good-night to you, my brave :Norwegians—good-night i” " It is the captain,” whispered Ben, “ his mad fit is upon him i” ' As he spoke, Wythe swung himself into the top, and 1101' - ing to the shrouds with one hand, peered into the faces of the two men—his green eyes blazing with a strange light. “ How far 011‘ is the coast?" he suddenly inquired—-—“ the ‘ coast of Norway 9” u ?n v ,1 "‘ The coast of Norway I said I" yelled the captain, shaking~ - clenched fist in Ben’s face. “Why don’t you answer 2” “ It's a long distance from here,” answered Ben, much uh {prised by the question. ' V away laughing, nnd—Halloni who’s this ?” he interrupted, as « m “ Ho! hot but we’ll soon be there with this wind, won't we ?” “ Perhaps so,” replied the old sailor, thinking it best to hit? [not him. “ I know it I” shriede the captain, tossing his arms Wildly about his head; “and then we’ll hear 2'! Tour!” “ Hear what roar ‘3" l “ Ha! ha! my man, you shall know in time! Round and . round it goes, roaring, tumbling and gurgling, just like the water ahead of us; and it‘ll take us down, down, down-— further down than we ever were before !” At this moment the ship, lurching sideways as it was tossed I “ upward by a tremendous sea, caused the three masts to quiver and snap as if they were about to go by the board, and the t 4 captain would certainly have been hurled from his position ' « by the fearful“ plunge " that followed, had not Frank thrown‘ ‘ 1 an arm about his waist. Writhing in his grasp, however, ‘ " even while the ship writhed in the grasp of the gurgling, - bursting avalanche of waters now pouring over her decks, 1 the mad skipper shrieked and gibbeer like a drowning hyena. “ You had better go into the cabin l” shouted Frank. “ You will find it more comfortable there than here.” “Furies, man—u thousand furiesl Who talks to me of the , ‘1- , cabin now? Down! down i in the fathomless depths, there’s 1 a cabin big enough for us all 1 Ho 1 ho! how fast the whirl- ‘ ,3. pool draws us down i” . ‘ “ For God’s sake," cried Ben, as peal after pcal of strange - " laughter now burst from the foaming lips of the skipper,“ for God’s sake, try to calm yourself. It’s awful to hear you-a-go- ’Eug on in this way.” 1, “ Ay, ayi” shouted the captain, his whole demeanor sud-l dcnly changing. “ How is this ? What have I been saying?” , And clapping a hand to his brow, he glanced around ‘him . ' in a bewildered manner. I “ You have been ravin’, sir, I fear—talkin’ about whirlpools,. : and all that sort of a thing." , 3; “ Ay, Whirlpools 1 My brain is a whirlpool, old Ben. How 7 I are we heading ‘3" ' _ " “ To the east’ard, as well as we can." ‘ ‘ ' “ It will be a long time before we getthem t” f a. ‘ ' , m _-m..__ y W Mn...“ M‘s—M. 'mwexmm . ‘5 Where? You uean New London, I suppose." 3 ‘ V “ Blast ye, who said New London?” _ “ Begin' your pardon, sir, I thought that was what you ['meant. His mind is sartainly crazed now,” he added in a Whisper to Frank ; “ it's a gone ease—poor captain l" "Hark ye, old man ?" cried the skipper, laying his hand . upon Ben’s shoulder, “ I think I once heard ye say something about having cruised 03’ the coast of Norway.” “ You are right, sir.” “ I-Io ! ho i then you must have seen it 1" “ What i” _ “The maelstrom, fool !—the great maelstrom I” " ~ ~=I “ “ We wasn’t-near enough to the coast for that.” ' “But ye heard it roar !——tell me that ye heard it roar l" thundered the captain, his eyes flashing wildly. “ No, sir; we—” '“ You lie! you liel You must have heard itl You did hearth Round and round it goes, crashing, bursting, and vhubbling, with the noise of a hundred thunderboltsl Ho! “ bu l a grand ruin it makes of all who come near it, carrying them down, down, down, forevermore l" ‘ J I And with a wild laugh, he suddenly broke from Frank’s grasp, and rapidly descending the rigging, made his way to _ flhls berth. ‘ ~ f. “ How wild,how strange he looked,” remarked Lilian, who, [still seated in the state-room with her father, had noticed the (ic‘aptain’s haggard face as he rushed past them; “he is cero tainly mad 1" . ‘_‘ His mind is deranged," replied the doctor, “ but you need 01 . not feel at all frightened on that account, for I understand that Onoolo is an excellent scaman, and perfectly capable of 7. taking care of the ship.” “ Our poor captain should be watched narrowly,” said Lili-l Ann,“ or he may take a notion, some time. to jump overboard." . ’ “ True enough. And I now remember to have noticed a j life-buoy lashed to the after part of the round-house. As soon as the gale abates, I shall go on deck and make an examina— ' tion of the article, to make sure that it is perfectly safe and y - , pound. If it is not, I shall suggest to 0110010 the propriety . 1» 3.0" having a better one made.” may we rumor. I'Vlfi ‘ “Why, papa, I was not. aware that you knew enough about lite-preservers to—" ' “ You are mistaken," he interrupted. “ Almost from my boyhood I have turned my attention to the study of preserving \ human lil‘e ; not only with medicine, in cases of sickness, but with other agents where medicine would prove of no avail. Having studied the art of swimming in books which, in con- nection with this subject, also treat of lite-preservers, etc. I deem myself a. tolerable good judge of the articles in queer tiou.” “And yet, papa, I believe you do not know how to swim.” “ Well, yes—chem ; it is true I never practiced swimming, but I understand the theory so well that if I should ever get beyond my depth, I should be able to keep myself afloat by a. very simple process; that is, by turning myself with ready self-possession upon my back, carefully keeping my hands down with the palms extended toward the bottom of the water, and expanding my lungs with deep inspirations of air.” , “But perhaps you would not have suiflcient presence oh I mind to—" M , , “Nonsense, my child," interrupted Claret, “it is in just , such emergencies that the medical man shows the most cools, . " ness and self-possession.” And in order to prove this, he proceeded to relate a. num: ber of little anecdotes of his own experience, to which the _ young girl, with martyr-like patience, listened without once , V interrupting him. When he concluded, she retired to her i ' ' berth ; and the gale having by this time considerably abated, the doctor rose, refreshed himself with an unusually long and deep draught from a suspicious black bottle taken from his trunk, and then made his way to the deck for the purpose of examining the life-buoy. Clambering rather awkwardly upon . the round-house, he loosened , the long rope to which the ‘ buoy was attached, and was on the point of dragging the in-~ strument to the deck, so as to scrutinize it by the light of the lantern hung up in the mizzcn rigging, when a sudden heavy roll of the ship caused_ him to lose his balance, and fall with i the buoy into a large miucing-tub lashed to the quarter-deck ' " 3 end filled with saltwater. Considerably affected by the liquor . ‘ ' : VMhehdMudhiseyubeingMAnymmd o 35y: sort of nightcap worn upon his head to protect him from the cold, the doctor believed he had fallen overboard; V» 'nnd so, clutching the friendly life-preserver, he shouted and . ’ yelled like a madman, in the hope of making himself heard. But no answer was returned, and he Suddenly remembered that the after part of the ship, when he come on deck to 7 make his investigation, was deserted by all hands of the watch, ‘ 2{with the exception of the man at the wheel, who had gone I V forward to shake a reef out of the fore-topsail. This thought made the blood ‘run cold in his veins. He reflected that, even should he succeed in clinging to the buoy fora few hours, his legs must freeze in the mean time. In ‘fact, he believed his doom was sealed. “ " Help! helpl Oh, dear me, is there no hope?” he gasped, kicking his legs violently, to prevent them from getting cramped. “ Ahoo! Ahoo, there 1” But the roaring of the winds and waves was the only re- Iponse‘. ' “ I will not despair," gasped the doctor; “ no, no—our pro- . ,fession should never despair! If Providence, however, in ’ Whom I place my trust, can not help me out of this terrible “situation, I—L—ahem—I will give up my chances like a ‘4 man; I will go frorn this world like a true martyr, although,” and here he kicked his legs frantically, “it is hard to die in. "the prime of life 1” - , His foot struck the side of the tub, but believing this to be the submerged portion of the buoy, the doctor was still far from guessing his real situation. ' “. This is terrible—terrible l” he gasped. “I see not a ves- tige of hope! Adrift upon the wide ocean, with the ship re- ' ceding further and further from me every moment, I am doomed .16 a fearful death !" l " “Halloo, there! Why, my eyes! What’s this ?" shouted the. deep voice of Ben Williams, within a. foot of his nose. “What are you doing here, doctor ?” Much astonished and overjoyed, the doctor no longer hesi- tated‘to lift one hand from the bony to push aside the night- thst'ohscured his eyes, expecting to behold one or the ,vlhip‘s boats nlOngside of him. At this moment, however, Ben " Fame hint from the tub, and Set him upon his feeten the deék. antrums. » ‘ Completely sobered, Claret now glanced around le in a bewildered manner, until the whole truth suddenly flashed upon his mind; While the watch, who had by this time come nit, crowding around him, stared alternately at his saturated garments and at the lite-buoy floating}; in the tub. “Ahem—gentlcmen," stammered the doctor, in answer to his questioners, directing at the same time a severe glance at the hehnsman, who was laughing heartily; “ gentlemen, I have : been experimenting with your life-buoy, which I am happy to inform .you is a good one.” ' “Why, beggin’ your pardon, sir,” cried Ben, “that buOy is a condemned one, which we wouldn’t use under any consider- ation. It’s been condemned a long time—has only been left where you found it because it’s more out of the way there than it would be anywhere else. Tim Collins broke it with an ax, months ago, durin’ one of his smashin'-up fits." “ Oh, well—chem l—I could not see where it was broken, on account of the darkness. In fact, I believe it would have been better to have waited until daylight before making my experiment.” So saying, the doctor hurried into the cabin to change his saturated garments for dry ones, while old Ben turned to Frank. with a puzzled grin rippling his tough features. “ I’ve heard of them that l’arns navigation with a tub, but I never heard of ’em carryin’ the matter so far as to experi- mentalize in it _with life-buoys.” I _ “ Take buoy and put back where come from," ordered the ‘ mate. “ Strange man, dis doctor: make pill and swim in tub." By the time the buoy was lashed, Claret, in his little room 1 below, had made the necessary change in his dress. ' “ It is lucky Lilian knows nothing of What has happened,” he muttered. “ Otherwise she would worry herself to death in the fear of my taking cold. Fortunately,” he continued, _ drawing the brundy-tlask from his chest, “I have something here which I think will prevent my suffering the evil cause; quences usually resulting from a too sudden immersion in cold water. I shall indulge in a few drinks, and also warm myself thoroughly by the euliin stove before going to bed.” 80 saying, he rolled up the legs of his trowsers, revealing tightly-fitting drawers of red flannel; then, putting on n ‘ :- ' common-looking nightcap 'of blue- cloth, be seated himself by th’e‘warm stove in the state-room. ' ing about in that disagreeable tub. Strange that I should have imagined I had fallen overboard,” he coptinucd, holding up the flask and eyeing it afl‘eetionately; “ it makes me shud- /‘ der to think of it." And he swallowed several mouthfuls of the brandy. “ This is prime 1” he continued, smacking his lips. “ Ah— ahool good liquor as a medicine is—” He paused on hearing footsteps behind him, and turning, 'saW Tom Collins. “ Halloni So you are up yet ‘2" cried the steward. “Yes, warming myself just previous to going to bed.” “I thought I’d come here to see how the fire'is,” said Col. Ilins. “ It‘s mighty hurd, it is, my having to get up out of my warm bed in the steemge in the middle of the night to see about the fire. But I have to do it; it‘s the captain’s orders.” “ Here is something to warm you up inside,” said the doc» tor, kindly presenting the flask. ' “I’m temperance,” said Collins. “ Hows’ever, I won‘t re- fhse to oblige you, seeing it‘s in the way of medicine.” And he took a long pull at the flask. ., “ The liquor in there is the best as was ever drunk,” he said, as he returned the bottle; “ just mind how it sparkles, will you i” . The doctor held up the flask, and examined it narrowly. “Aheml My friend, there is no'sparkle to it now, as it is / In gone. The bottle is empty.” “ Is it possible .9" . “Yes; but never mind. I have plenty more of the same I ,'80rt in my chest.” “ Which, beggin’ your pardon, if I may make a suggestion, _ had better be procured at once while I brighten up the fire.” ‘f Ahem—very good.” And going to the chest, the doctor took out n second bottle. “ You seem pretty well provided, sir.” remarked the stew- V i. r V WQILyeI. It is the duty of our profession to carry plenty of medicine with them when it’i'g eonve‘iiient.” “" ' gram. “ This is comfort——ahem i—comt‘ort indeed, after flounder- -‘ ‘1 “ As in the present case,” said Collins, bowing. “‘I honor the profession." ‘ “ Thank you—ahem l Will you take some more ?" “Repeating, as I said before, that I'm temperance, but hringin‘ in medicine as a qualifier, I will!" He took a deep draught, and returned the flask to the (100- . tor, with a curious, one-sided bow. Claret put the bottle by the side of the stove, resolving to warm his ankles thoroughly before drinking again. “ Al1-——ahoo! it is a cold night,” he remarked. “ Very,” answered Collins. “ In fact, particularly so.” AI he spoke, he struck fiercely at the empty air with his clenched fist. “ Ah l" ejaculated Claret. “ Ah l" returned the steward; and suddenly picking up the ' bottle, he poured every drop of its contents clown his throat. . “ Rascal i” cried the doctor, in a rage, “ who gave you per mission to do that?” “ It's a-coming on, sir; my smashing-up tit; and I thought best to empty the bottle before breaking it! Tie me up— hold me—or something. There’llbc ruin if you don't l" He danced about the cabin like a madman, dashed the ’ ‘ ' empty bottle into fragments, and pulling the doctor’s night-cap from his head, trampled it under foot. Then he rushed on deck, and picking up a. handspike, proceeded to smash the belaying—pins 'in the weather quarter rail. “Hey, dere l” shouted Onoolo, turning to the watch under the round-house, “tie dat feller up! quick—he got de fl " again i" . ' Several of the men rushed toward the steward, who had now got astraddle of the rail; but before they could reach him, the ship lurehing violently, as a swell struck her under the lee counter, threw him overboard. he main-yard was instantly hauled aback, and a boat lowered, and manned by a good crew, among whom were Frank Harland, Ben Williams, . and Portuguese J 00. I V The moon, which was now gleaming coldly down from an- :pening in a mass of dark, ragged-looking clouds, lighted the eareering waves with a strange, spectral gleam, revealing, for an instant, the ghastly face of the steward, as, with wild . swish, he tossed his arms upward from the crest of a tower‘ Jug Ben. The creaking yards of the ship, as her great yellow hull rolled to and fro, seemed to mock the cries of the unfor. tunate man. '“Springi spring 1" shouted the second mate, Who com- ; .mnnded the boat. “ Spring quick; strong as never spring be- ' fore, and we get dat man safe and sound.” As he spoke, the boat was tossed high up on the summit _ of a huge billow, and the dusky officer, bending forward, .‘ peered eagerly ahead and listened. He could now see nothing .of Collins, but an ominous gurgling shriek, faintly audible , above the roar and cfash of the careerng waves, broke upon his ear. With loud cries, and frantic gestieulations, he en- couraged the men at the ears, until the boat was many fathoms from the ship, when he ordered them to stop pulling. “Peaking” their oars, the men then rose to their feet and glanced round them in all directions; but no sign of their shipmate could be seen, nor were his cries any longer to be heard. , “ He is a gone case,” said Ben Williams. “ Poor Tom! L 110 had some good qualities; in fact, he’d have been a good shipmate in every respect, hadn’t it been for his smashin’-up fits, which, however, wztrn’t his fault. Well, well, he’s now ’ where he’ll never break any more belnyin’-pins.” ’ “ Dth so," answered the second mate, “ and me t’ink it now time to get back.” Since they stopped pulling, the men had not once looked toward their ship; and in doing so now, they were surprised to see the vessel rolling along upon her course, receding further ' and further from them every moment. ' At first, they could scarcely believe their own senses, and each looked at the other as if hoping to read some evidence of his being de- ceived. Every face, however, expressed consternation and unbounded astonishment; every lip was dumb. There was no mistake as to the course of the ship; she was steering due v t east, and must soon vanish from the sight of the boat’s crew. Frank, was the first to break the silence. ' “ This is very strange l” he exclaimed, “ but we must not ‘ 1080 time. We must take to our oars, and keep the craft in sight as king as we Perhaps she will be hove-to for us shortly, and we will get an explanation of this strange pro- ceeding when we get on board.” ‘ I, “ I don’t see what ‘ explanatory ’ can be made i" cried Ben ; " if we were on a lee shore, new, I could understand the mat ter, but blast Inc if I can, under present sarcumstauces. l”1"aps, hows‘ever, as you say, our best plan is to pull ahead, which we can do easy enough, seeing as we have the wind in our ‘ favor.” “ Ay, ay, pull ahead,” ordered the second mate; and seiz- ing their oars, the crew were soon urging the light vessel F D through the water, with long, powerful strokes. Now and then, as they tugged and strained, they threw glances over their shoulders, in the hope of catchinga view of the ship; but they were disappointed every time; and as the movement of turning the head very far around while pulling at a. heavy oar, is somewhat painful, they soon stopped it, studyingr the countenance of the second mate, which was a faithful barometer of the state of affairs. « Its gloomy, downcast expression, not once relieved by a hopeful gleam, plainly told them that the ship had not yet hove-to; and as their situation, with the water up to their ankles—for it was , breaking over both gunwales—and with their arms aching, from their long-continued exertions, was very uncomfortable, old Ben proposed that they should stop pulling, for the double ' purpose of resting and bailing the boat. The dusky officer consented, and, springing to their feet, the men glanced toward the receding ship, which was now a almost out of sight, and could only be seen at intervals, when it was lifted upon the crest of a sea. All around, the great seas, rising, falling and clashing, were illumined by a dim, yellowish light, that gave to them an aspect peculiarly -wierd and dismal. The edges of the waves, when they caught the beams of the moon. seemed girt with numbers of long, sharp- pointed spears, linked together by electric wires; while the incessant hum of the vast oe'ean sounded like the voices of millions of evil spirits at war with each other, far down in its Watery depths. “ I‘m afraid there isn‘t much hope, lads, of our getting Inboard that crat‘t' nguii,” said old Ben. “ We may as well look the fact in the tau: first. as last." . «known-an a sum 1: n