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THE MORNflSTG TIMES, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBEK 5, 1897. 17 2 $$S4 ' - ATVHE I 5SiS nf the JOSEPH CONRAD TART V. Tire little cabin wae as "hot as. an -oven. Outside the men called by CluvS.4y who iuforauad them, iu tones of delight, that there was a row going on in JtiiHuyV place, pushed before the closed idoor, too fcUirUed to open at. All hands "wore Jiore- The watch below had jump ed out ou deck lu tlieir shirts, as after a collision Men trnnnlnc up asked, "What Is It?" Others iaJd, "Likten!" The muffled fareamlng went on: "On your knees. On your "knees." 'Shut up." I .ses you dying tliis titlnnyt before uy e yen as good as dead now " "Help!" shouted Jimmy, piercingly. -'No: in tMfc valley look upward," liowiud 1to other J,Go away! Murderl Help!" clamored 31"y- "Wlist'b the nintter now?" wild a beldom fcuard voice. "Fall bank, men!'' "Fall iinek, there!" repeated Mr. Creigh ton, temily, pushing tlirough. "He the old man," whispered tome. "'The cook's in there ,&UV exclaimed sev eral, buck lug away. TUie door clattered open; a broad stream of light leaped out on wondering faces. A warm whirl of vitiated air pasted. The two nudes towered head and shoulders nlove the pare, gray-headed man who stood revealed before them. In dubby clothes. ttrf and nugular, like a miiuII carved figure, and with a thin, composed race. The cook got up from hiss knees. JiminT at high m the bunk, clashing hi drawn-np lags. Thetasbsl of the blue night cap uliiKivt tmierceptibly trembled over hi fcnees They gazed asumislied at liis long, ourved oacU, while the -white corner of one eye gleamed blindly at them "Wlrat are you doing here?'' asked Mr. Bavr. liarply. "M tsi ." MtJd the cook, with ardor 'Yow what?" began the mate. Oapt AfHsUHUi tocched his arm lightly. -'I know hicpert" heboid, in a low voice Oohhj Mit of that I'odmore," he ordered, aloud. tElie cwok -wrung his hand, t'wok his tlsb above hib head. and Id .arms dropped aslfloo heavy. "I makeyoH iipo4iJ"e. ne nried. desperately, turning halt around "That wjuiis dying. J natkc you 4-Yo there Tel"? called lite master, in a tnreetenirer tuftc , air," he e&clalmed. in startled voice. The laMswasi led lHm away by the sr., jbmj 6Mc U oghed. Jimmy lifted hit. head t or asttwStbr rlanee,aml to one unexpected leap Kiiiig mil of his bunk. Belfast, rau to Ids sopjKjrt. He did not appear to be aware of any one near htm; he stood silent for mosDCtst Imlltuig Smple-hanaert with a logic of Bamcle&steiwM-fc. Heavy In eatb irt$ tirrd the darkness-. The s-a gurgled ShroHghtlto mppert ahlheMHp heeled over 'to a xhori pitf r of -wind. "Keep itiiii away from n," isald Jame5 Vait at last, in Iris Xm e hantoue voice, and Meaning witlt all his -weight on BelfaMs scok. "I've been letter mi. ta .. I am wreU 1 was going haok to duty to inorrow now if you like oaptsiin." Bel jaK, Jiltc!'-! JiB jflhoaldeiis to koep him up right. jC." Mild iihe roastor, looking at liim ,Xiser- .VJ' jwLT' cried a voice from the &had ijjw te miAm all liglit. toir." 'I rtJ jlgt" aid Walt with eager-1.1-sk.. i!ien sit better turn to now. Iveei aray frain me," giving BelCac a 3etaMMl post', aad rueling, fetched igainet; t! e dwi post. Ills clieek lxwe glibtened tut tlhottgh they luid noen varnlhed. ile miatictfd oft We nightcap, aviped his persjilrtHg t9.ee with it, flung it on t)w decfk '"1 atu oouiing out," he i&id, irith ovt j&irrl.tg. J?o. Yoa tkl,t.,' add the muster curtly. Bare Teet tmmtttea, disapproving voices nMiraHred alt round; I..- sveut on afc if he iihdJMtf; bemrd- "You ltave been humniiitg .tik- Wliy isaycBi nee that. Thereat; naUdiig tto matter -with you, but you 'dtwse so Ae up to please rows elf. -ana Hnv yo tihn lie up t-o pluiie me. Mr. HMfeer. v ord-rb are titmt Utis man is net o e mUmeS on deck to the end of Uie passnge," "WiiVe got to say aometlriug habotit ithat,' ifcOBMXlied Bonkin from the rear Nev itiisd, Jn. We will ee you 'igbted crfed teveral together. An ?ideriy betttn stepped to the front. ' "D'ye ifuejm to Buy, sir," be asked omi teufity. "4-hftt a 1ck chap ain't allowed so -jat -wsii in uite 'ere iwoker?" Behind him Bonkin whispered excitedly aowng a statring crowd -where no oucbpared Ilia u fAmoe. hut Capt. Allltoun &hook a ferefiugiT at the angry, bronzed race of t4ie.-petker. "Yon you hold your tongue, lie baid, Tvaruiugly. ""Ilare w blooiuin' iiiashcens?" inquired Donkln.ln a phTcingtone, nndJlnedundfr the elbow. t tilie front rank '"Soon show im -we ain't boys. The man's a man if lie isttaofe We atotJiu to work tlii- lilofiu !in (Ship lwtriHiKndcd it iSnoM balls all right He (Bays lie i. "Well, then, strike, hoys, .6trfke! Thai'fi tlie bloomlnVticket!' iCapt. AHtst.uii said sharply to the t-econd asate- "Koep quiet, Mr. Creighton," and tKtMHDsedin Uie tumult, listcntng-wiUi pnofound attention to tle mixed growls aud aancuuhes.tr. every exolatuatiou and every sunrse of Mte udden outhreak. The big shape of Mr. Creighton liovered silently taouut ttie rfigia tigure of the master. "We have been liyinpoMnl upon all tlu.s voyage," .stid a rrutf voice, "but this 'ere ftHCf tRfkois fce cake. That man is :t iilupmatp. Are we blooiuin' kids.? Giv'us. our Jimmy." Tin. aeaiicKl to cause a variation In the liturbmK. There was a Trcihi burst or MluahUltMg -uproar. A lot ol quarrels were Ct golnp at once. "Tliey Jrc started a tow among them selves tun t" said Mr. Creighton, witlidi.v dain: te-wcr get ft, dr. Wc wfli soothe them. ,K0ep wir temper, Crejirhlon," said Liu amuer. Awd the three men began to move (riowtty tfMranl the i-abin door. TJ k)er wwmun, bewildered and angry, jjniwiled their determination to go tlirough "With HMMfcUring or other; hut the younger bohool of advanced Uwught expired their and Jimnt r wrongs withi-onrused shouts. argutagmnoHgtlterahclves. inddctlie cabin. Jlelfart, helping Jimmy into his bunk, tfvWcchea H over tn his desire not to mlba afll She tow, and iUi difficulty restrained tilB joarh or Mb fueilc emotion. James MaiL- rat on 1ii back tinder the blanket, gape tsemtiu.iuts . 'We -will bwl; you up, nver fea,,' as sured Beirast, bny about hih feet. 1IT11 rome out tomorrow morning take my dha-iue " mumbled Wait, "skipper or no bbipper.' He lirted one arm with great rtHrricultj . passed the hand over lilt, faco. ""Jloht 3-ou let that cook ' he breathed oat. ".No, no." tttfd Belfast, turning his back ontthetbunk. "I'll put a liead on liim ir he icomes iieur you." "Jiall fcmahh liis mug!" exclaimed raintly TlVait, enraged and weak- "I don't wantto lal! a man, but " He panted fast Jikc. dogafter aiunin the tiujishlne. Someone dust utbide the door shouted, He'sasrita8 anyof-u'.:' Beirabt putliU ihandon Uhe door handle. t"aere!"canedJamC6"VVaIt,hurriedly.antl 4SiS$ Narcissus $&iZ,G&SlG&SG&&S&&GG$$G in such a clear voice that the other bpun roucdwiUi ahtart. James Walc.btrctched out black and deathlike in the dazzling light, turned his heud on the pillow. His yen stared at Belfast,. ippeallngly and nn-pudeal- "1 am rather weak from lyiug-up o long," he baid, distinctly. Beiru.st nodded 'Micaing quite well now.," insisted Walt "Yes. I noticed you getting better his last month," said Belfast, looking down. "Hallo! What', this?" he bhoutcd and ran out. He vaa lattened directly against llw hide of thu house by two men who lurched .-lgauibt hliu. A lot of disputes beemed to be going on 'all arounl I-on kin liiFsed' "'Go for them It's dark!" The croud ook a short run aft in a body-then there w.ib a check Donkln, agile and thin, Tlitttjd past with his rlgli1. arm gping like a windmill and then tood still suddenly with his aim pointing rijidly above hit head. The hurtling flight of wine small, heavy object wnt heard; It patted between the heaos of the two mates, Lounded keavily along Hit deck, struck the after hutch witli a ponderous and deadened blow The bulky bhttps of Ir. Baker grew distinct. Come to your benset,, men!" lie cried, .idvancing to the urroted crow d "Come back, Mr Baker." called tue master'b quiet voice, lie obeyed unwill ingly. Tlir wnp a minute of bllence, then i denteiiiug hubbub arose. Above it Archie wae heard eneigetically: "If ye do oot ageen I wull tell!" There were bhouts "Don't!" "firop it!" "We ain't that kind!" The'bluck cluster of human forms reeled against the bulwark, back again toward the huiifo. Shadowy figure could bf twin Uittenug, falling, leaping up Kingbolts rang under stumbling feet Jroi it!" "Jjit nie!" "N'o!" "Curse yoi1 -hah!" Then sounds as of some one' face Ix-mg slaoped; a piece of Iron fell on the deck; a ihort scufrie, and bonio one's thndowy body icuttling rapidly across ttiu main hatch before the hliadow of a kick. "Throwing things good God!"' grunted Mr. Baker, in dismay. "That wa.- mi-autfor me,''raid tiiemab ter, quietly. "I felt the wind of that Hung, what was it an iron belnyiagpin?" Gradually tiie trnmping noise.s- the con fused sound of voices, died out , and the cfficu coming on the poop disnihttwl the events Mr. Baker was bewildered aud grunted- Mr. Creighton was calmly furious; but Capt. Alllhtoau was comjwwd and thoughtful. JIc Iened to Mr. Uaku'b growhtog urgutnentatlon, to CreighUm a n-terji-oted and bevre remjirks, whilt looking ilown on tne deck he weighed in his hand tie iron belavitig pin -that a moment ago Jiad jurt iirfHH-d his head as if it hail boen the only tangible faot of the whole transaction. He was one or those com ii'Siiders who fepeak little, been, to hear nothing, look at no one and know every thing: iienr every whisper; see every fleet ing fahadow of their ship's hfs. His two Mg.offlcetb towered above his lean, nhrjrl figure, they talked over Ills heart: they tvere dismayed, surprised and angry, while between them the little, quiet :nan seemed to baic found hih taciturn serenity m the profouud depths of a largi exper'enff . Lights were burning in the roie-antlc; now and then a loud gust of iiatiUhiigcliHttbi cuaiefrom forward, bwept over the deckhand Jjecame faint, as if the unconscious alnp, slipping gently through the groat peace of the se, had left behind and foi ever the loolii-h nolsu of turbulent n.aakim'. But it was lenev.ed again and again. Gesticulating arms, profiles of heads with open mouths appeared for a inomcntintheiHuniinalcdfiquarpsand door ways: black fi-tJ da i ted withdrew. "Yes It was mobt damnable to have such an unprovoked row sprunc on one," assented the warer. He didu't tliiuk t here would Ini any futlher trouble Just then A lell wasstiuck aft, another, forward, auwewd in a deeper tone, and a olamor of ritijirtng metal spread rouiid the ship In a elide of wide vibrations that ebbed awav into the immeaurealilc night of an empty ,ca. Didn't he know tbem! Iiidn't he! In past yon is. Better int-n, too Ileal men lo stand 'iyoiieln a tightplttce. "Worse rJian lviU, too, sometimeb down light, horned devils. Pah! Tlds nothing. A missis, a? good an a mile. The whe.- was being relieved in the usual wy "Full and by," said, very loud, the man golngoff. "Full aud by." repeated the other, catching hold of the spokes. "This head wind is my trouble " exclaim ed the master, stamping his foot lu sudden anger. "Heal wind! alltlierestlsnotliing.' He was calm ugain In a moment. "Keep them on the move tonight, gentlemen, just to let them feel we've got hold all th. time - quietly, you know. Mind you keep your ban ils off them, Creighton. Tomorrow l will talk to tliern like a Dutch uncle. A crazy crowd or tinkers! Yes, tinkers! I could count the real sailors among them on the fingers of one hand. Xoihlug will do hut a tow 'if you please."' He went down three steps, and chang ing his tone, spoke with Jiis lie ad near the deck: "1 shan't turn In tonight, In ca&e of an thing; just call out if Did you see the eyes of Unit sick nigger, Mr. Baker? T fancied lie begged rue for something. What? 1'ast all help. One lone hlaok beggar among the lot of ue, and he seemed to lojk through me Into the wry hell Well, let him die- in peace. He must have heen half a man once. Keep a good look out.' He disappeared down, below, leav ing his mates facing one another, and more impressed than if they had seen a stone Itnaj-e t-Vd a miraculous tear of aomnas sJou over the incertitudes of lire and death. In the blue mist spreading f turn twisted threads that stood upright in the howls of pines, the forecastle appeared as vast as a hall Between the lieams a heavy cloud stagnated, and the lamps surrounded by linlof minted each at the core of a purple glow in two lifeless Haute without rays-"Wreatl-B drifted in denser wisps. Men sprawled about the deck, Sat in negligent poes, or, Bending a knee, drooped -with one shoulder against a "bulkhead. Lips moved. cy flashed, waving aim, made siiddeu eddiea io the smoke- "Stick together, loys," roared Davies Belfast trifdtointikehlmseiriieard.Knoules gnnned u a slow, dazed way. A short f el low, wllli a thick, clipped beard, kept mi yelling, perlodu-ally "Who's afeard? Who's afeard?' Another one jumped up, excited, with bla-Ing eyes; sent out a btrlng or unattacned curses aud sat down quietly, iwo men diseubseil familiarly, striking one another's breast in turn, to clinch ar guments. Three others, with their head in a bunrh, poke all together with a noiifldenUal .nir, aud at the top of their voices One could hear: "In the last ship Who cares" Try It on one of us if . Knock under? Xot a. hand's turn. He says he ib tUiright -Ial ways thought 7evermind " Belfast cried once more wlih uplifted arms, "The man is dying, I tell ye!" then st down suddenly on the hatch and took hU heaa lcrwDcn hS-3 bauds. J All looked at Sullivan, gazing upward ft on. the deck, staring out of dark comers, -n turning their lieads with curious glances. They -wei e expectant, and appeared as If that old man, "who looked at no one, had possessed the secret of their uneasy in- uan&t!t)s and desires, a sharper vision, u clearer knowledge. And, indeed, stand ing there amongbt them, he had the unln terested appearance of one who had seen multitudesof ships, hadlistened many times to voices such as theirs, had already seen allthatcould uappciion the wide seas They heard his voice rumble In his Droad chest, as I bough he -words had been rolling toward tlemout of a rugged past. "What do you want to do?" he asked. "I have seen rows 1 aboard ship before some of you were born, for something ornothing; but never for such a thing." '1 he man is dying, I tell ye," repeated Beirast, woefully, sitting at Sullivan' a fcef "Aud a black fellow, Ufo," went on the old seaman "1 have seen them die liky files." Hesto'i'''d, thoughtful, as if trylngto rec ollect grew some things, detaiU or horrors, hecatoiubs of negroes, and they looked at him absorbed. He was old enough to re Uicmber ukuers, bloody mutinies, pirates, pcrhap$. Who could tell through what vio lences and terrors he had lived? What would he say? He baid. "You can't help him; die he must." lrc made another pause. His mus tache aud beard stirred. He chewed words, mumbled behind tangled white hulrs; iu couiprchenrdblc and exciting, like an ora cle behind a veil. "Bringing all this head wind Afmid The .sea will have hpr own. Die in sight of land. Always bo They know it long passage more days, more dollars. i"ou keep quiet. What do you want? Cnn't help him." Ile seemed to awake from a dream. "You can't help yourselves." lie said, austerely. "Skip per's no fool. He has toniothlng ou his mind. Lookout I say! I know 'em!" With eyes fixed in front of him he turned hi heart trom right to lerc, rrom luU to right, as if inspecting a long row of astute skip pers. "He said e would brain me!" cried Don kin in a heartrending tone. Sullivan peered downward with puzzled .ittentlon, as though he could if t find him. He radiau'd unspeakable wisdom, clear un concern, the chilling air or resignation. Bound hint all the listeners felt themselves somehow completely enlightened by their dibnppoiiittuent, and, mute, the' lolled about with the careless ease of men who cm discern perfectly tne irremediable as pect of their existence. He, profound and unconscious, waved his arm once, and strode out on deck without another word. One or two vaulted heavily into upper berths, and, once there, sighed; others divert head fint inside lower bunks, swifs. and turned round iitbtantly upon themelve, like animals going into lairs. BelfuK got up and approached Aichle'b berth. "We pulled him out," lie whispered B.idlj. "What7" said the other with sleepy dls content. "And now we will have to chuck him overboard." went ou Belfar.t, who-t lower lip trembled. "Chuck what?" ached Archie. "Poor Jimmy." breathed out Bcirnfct. "He be b'owed!" said Archie with un sruLhCiil brutality, and sat up lu his bunk. "It's all through him." " 'Tain't his rault, is it?'.'1 argued Del fast, In a murmur. He wandered about as thoucli he hud lott his way in the dim forecastle, ai.rt j nearly fell over Don kin. He uonUim platd him "rom on high for awhile "Ain't ye going to turn in?" he asked. Donkln looked up hopelessly. "Will they J split ou me?" he u.sked with pained anx iety. "Wtio-Rplit?" hissed Belfast, coming back a ftep "I would split your nose this ininyt If I hadn't Jimmy to look artei! Who d'ye think we are?" Donkm rose and watched Beirast's back lurch through the doorway. On all Md0t invisible men slept, breathing calmly. Ho seemed todraw courageand ruryfium the peace around Mm. Venomous and tltln faccd, hr glared from the ample misfit of borrowed Iothes tis if looking for some thing he could smash. His heart leaped wildly in his narrow chest. " Ye're no men!' he cried, in a deadened tone. N'o one moved. "Ycr 'ayen't the pluck of a moube!" His voice rose to n husky screech. "Wamibo darted out a disheveled hend, find looked at aim wihlly. "Ye're sweepings ov ships! I 'ope you. will halt rot lief ore you die!" Wamibo blinked, uncomprehending, but Interested. Donkln bat down heavily; he Mew with force tlfuugh quivering nobtnls, he ground and iuapp,'d his teeth, and, with the i bin pressed hard against the breast, beseemed busy gnawing his way through it, as if to get at the heart within. In the morning the ship, ljcginnlng an other day of her wandering life,, had an apfct ot sumptuous tre&hness. like the springtime of the ejrtlt. The washeddeeks glistened in a long, clear stretch; the ob llque sunlight struck the yellow brasses in dazlltig splasnts, darted over the pol ished rods in lines of gold, and the. bingle dropMr -silt water forgotten here and there along the rail were limpid as drops of ilew, and sparkled more thau scattered dia monds. The euu, rising lonely and splendid in the blue sky, saw a solitary ship gliding close-hauled on the blue sea. The men pressed three deep abreast of the tiialnmasi, and opposite the cabin door. They shuffled, pushed, hadaniiresolute mien and stolid laces. At every slight movement Knowlos lurched heavily on his short leg. Donkin glided behind back, restless and auxious, hkoa man looking for an ambush. Ctpt. ll'toun came out suddenly. He walked to and fro before the front. He was gray, .slight, alert, shabby In the sun shine, and as hard as adamant. He had !iis right hand in the side pocket of his jncket, aud also bomcthing Iieavy in there that made folds all down that side. One the seamen cleared his throat omlnoubly. "I Jiavcn't till now found fault with you, men." said the master, stopping .short. Aud I don'tuow, but I am here to drive this ship aud keep every man-jack aboard of her up to the mark- If you knew your work as well as I do mine, there would lie no trouble. You've been .braying In the dark about: 'See tomorrow morning!' "Well, you .see me now- What do you -want?" lie waited, stepping quickly to and fro, glviug them searching glances. "What did lhej. want? Tliey shifted fiom foot to f cot, they oalanted their bodies; .same, pushing back their caps, scratched their heads. "Whatdtd they want? Jimmytvahfoi gotten: no one thought or him, alone forward in his cabin, Tigkting gieat shadows, clinging to brazen lies, chuckling painfully over his transparent deceptions. They wanted irrent things. And suddenly all the simple words they knew seemed to be lost forever m Hie immensity of their vague and burn ing "desire. "What is it oud?" asked the master "Yt.u know the stores had been spoiled orf the Cape." "We know ihat.-slr," said a bearded sea dog inthcfiont rank. "Work too hard eh? Too much for youi strength?" he asked again. There was an offended Mleuce. "We don't -want to go sliorthanded,slr," began at last Davies in a wavering voice, "and this 'ere black " "Enough," cried the master. He stood bcannlng them for a moment, then walking a Tew steps this way and that, began to storm at them coldly, in gusts violent and cutting like the galebof those icy seas that had known his youth. "Tell you what's the matter? Toolilg for your Ikiots. Know hair your Work. Do half your duty. Think Ittoo much. If you did ten times as much It wouldn't be enough." 'Wp did our best by her, sir," cried some one "With shaky exasperation. "Your nest," stormed on the master. "You hearaloton shore, don't; ynu? They don't tell you there your best is much to uotistof. 1 tell you. YourDest is no better tbap I'.td. You can do, nomore. No. I know, and say nothing. But you stop your caper or I will stop It for you. I am ready for you. Stop it." He shook a finger at the crow'd. 4 As to that man" he raised his voice very much -"as to that man, if he puts his nrse out on ihe deck without my leave I will clap him in irotis. There!" Tho cook heard lrim forward, ran out lifting his arms, horrified, unbelieving, amazed, and" ran in'ugaln. There, was a moment .if profound silence, during which a bow-legged seaman, stepping aside, ex pectorated docorouslylnto thescttpper. 'There is another thing," said the master calmly. He mado a quick stride and with a swing took an lion belaying pin out of Ihis pocket. "This!" Ills movement was bo unexpected and sudden that the crowd stepped back. He gazed fixedly at their faces, nnd fcomu aj. once put on a sui prised air as though they had never seen a belaying pin berorc H? held It up. "This is my ufruir. I don't ask you anything, you know it;it hasgosto go where itcame from." His eye.-, became, angry. The crowd btiired uueasily The, master watched them attentively. "Donkln." he called out in a abort, sharp toue., Donkin dodged bebiud. one, then hehmd aiiothoi.bu' tney looked over their shoulders and moved aside. Capt. Alli&toun moved close to him . , 4 "Yoti know thin,", uskyd the master. "No, I don't," answered the other with cheeky trepldat lou . , "Vou aie a cur. ,'i'akf It," ordered the mastei. Donkin "s arm.ie.uied glued to his thighs; he stood, eyes front, as If drawn on parade. '"Jake It," repeated the masttr, and Xepp'.'d closer; tliey breathed on one an other. "Take it,' said Capt. Allistoun again, making a menacing gesture. Don kln (ore away one arm from his -side. "Vy hare yer down hou me?" lie mum bled with effort and as ir Ids mouth had been full of dough. "Tt you don't" began the master Donkln snatched at the pin as though h(& intention had been to run away with It, and remained stock still holding it like a candle. "Put it bnck where you took it from," said Capt Allistoun, looking at him rieroelv Donkin s'.epped lack, opening wide his eyes. "Go, you blackguard, or I will make you," cried the master, driving him slowly backward by a menacing ad vance He dodged and with the danger ous ircn tried to guard his head from a threatening fist. "Good! By Jove!" murmured appre ciatively Mr. Creighton in the toue of a connoisseur. "Don't tech mu," snarled Donkin, back ing uway. "Then go. Go faster." "Don't yer 'it me. 1 will pull yur hup afore he magistryt, I'llshow yer Imp." Capt, Allistoun made a long strid", ami Donkm. turning his back fatriy. ran ofr a little, then stopped, and over Ms shoulder showed yellow teeth. "Further on. rore rigging," urged Hie master, iKilnting with his arm. "Hare yer goln' to btand by hand uee me bullied," screamed Donkin at the bilent crowd that watched him. Capt. Allistoun walked at him smartly He started orf again with a leap, dashed t'tlhe rorerigging, rummed the pin iuro its hold violently. "Hi will be heven with yer yet," he bcreamed at the ship at large, and van ished beyond the roreumst. Capt. Allistoun spun round and -walked back aft with a composed face, as though he had already forgotten the scene. He looked at no one. "That will do, Mr. Baker. Send the watch below," he said, quietly; "and you men try to walk straight for the future," In- addd lu a calm voice. He looked pen sively ror awhile at the backs of the impressed and retreating crowd. "Break' fast, steward."'he .calleI.'in u tone of r- lier through ihe cabu door. "Ready, sir," said Hie jaevnrd, appear ing before him as If py n.iigic, and with a btaincd napkin in fas hand. "AW All right, (opic! along, Mr. Ba ker late -with all this nonsense." A heavy atmosphere jut .oppressive quie tude pervaud the thiC In the afternoon men went about washlngclothes aud bang ing them out tc dry' in the iinprosperous breeze with the meditative languor of disenchanted philqspphers. Very little was said. The proolijm of life seemed too voluminous for the narrow: limits of human speech, and by common. consent it was abandoned to the great sea that had from the beginning enfolded it in its immense grip; the se; that knew .all, and would in time infallibly unveil, to each the wisdom hidden in all the errors. And in the confused current of Impotent thoughts that set unceasingly this way and tint through bodies of men, Jimmy brbbed up upon the surfafie, compelling atten tion, like a black buoy chained to the bottom of a muddy stream. Falsehixxl tri umphed It triumphed through doubt, throuch stupidity, through pity, tnrough sentlmentalism We set ourselves to bol ster it up, from compassion, from rekles8' nebs, from a sense of fun. Jimmy's stead fastness to his untruthful attitude in the face of the inevitable truth had the pro portions ot a colossal enlgma-a manifesta tion, grand and incomprehensible, that at times inspired a Wondering aW, and there was also, to mauy, something ex quisitely droll in fooling him thus to the top of his bent. The latent egoism of tenderness to suf rering appeared in the fleyelopmg anxiety riot to so hin. die. His obstinate non recognition of the only ceriittide whoxe approach we could watch from day to day was as disquieting as the failure 6f some law- of natute. He was so .utterly wrong alxiot himself that one could not but sus pect that he had access to some source of superhuman knowledge. He influenced the moral tone of our. world as though he had it in his power to distribute honors, ticasunjb or piin, and he could give us nothing but his contempt. It was as that time that Belfast's de votion (and also his pugnacity) secured universal respect. He spent every niomenc or his spaie time iu Jimmy' cabin. He tended him, talked to him; was as gentle as a woman, as tenderly gay as an old philanthiop'st, as sentimentally caretul oC his chai gens a model slave owner. But outside he "was irritable, explosive as gun powder, somber, suspicious, and never move brutal than -when most sorrowful. With him it was a tear and a blow; a tear for Jimmy, a blow for anyone who did not seem to take a scrupulously ortho dox view of Jimmy's case. ' We talked about nothing else. At any time of the day and often through the night, some man could be seen sitting on Jimmy's box. In the evening, between six nnd eignt, the cabin was crowded, aud there was an in terested group at th2 door. Everyone stared at the negro. He basked in tho warmth of our interest. His pyes gleamed ironically, and in a weak voice he reproached, us with our cow ardice. He would say, , 'If you follows had stuck out for me, I ould be now on deck." We hung our heads "Yes, but If you th'uk 1 am going to, let them put me in irons Just to s bow; you sport. Well, no. It rulus my health, this lying up, it does. You don't care. We were as abashed as irit had been true. His superb impudence carried all e-etore it. We would not have dared to revolt. TVe didn't want to, really. We wranted to keep him alive till home to the end of the voyage. Kulllvati, as usual, held aloof, appear ing to seorn the insignificant events of an ended life. "We all knew the old man's ideas aliout Jimmy, and nobody dared to combat them. They were unsettling; they caused pain &nd that ,was worse, they might liave ueen ttue for all we knew. Only ouce did "he condescend to explain them fully, but thelmpresslonvaslastlnij. He said that Jimmy was the cause of head winds Mortally sick men linger till the 'rstsight of land, and then die; and Jimmy knew that the land yrould draw his life frcm him. It ib so in every ship. Didn't we know it? We felt uneasy. The common saying, "Moie daj-s, more dollars," did not give the usual comfort, because the stores were naming short. Much had been polled off tho Cape- "We were on half allowance ot biscuit. Peas, sugar and tea had been finished long ago. Sale meat wab giving out. We had plenty of coffee, but very little water to make ir with. We took up unother hole m our belts and went ou scraping, polishing, painting the ship from morning to night. And snon she looked as though she had come out of a bandbox; but hunger lived on board of her. Not dead starvation, but steady living hunger thatstalked about the decks, slept In the forecastle; the tor mentor ot waking moments, tho disturb er of dreams. We were weary, huugry, thirsty; we commenced to believe Sulilvun, but with unshaken fidelity dissembled to Jimmy We spoke to him -with jocose al luslveuess, like cheerful accomplices In a a clever plot; but we looked to the west ward over the rail with mournful eyes for a sign of lape, for a sign or fair wind, even if its bieath should bring death to our reluctant Jimmy. In vain! The universe conspired with Jumco Wait. Light airs from the northward sprang up again; tho sky lemalnud clear; and round our wean ness the glittering sea, touched by the breeze, bashed voluptuously hi the.suushlue, as though It had forgotten our Ufo and trouble. (To be Concluded.' THE STRANGER WHO RIZ UP- A mile outside of Groversvillj I met four men, who were carrying a fifth ou a door, aud a natural curiosity prompted me to ask now the victim had been injured ""A all, stranger," replied ous ot the four, that's my sua Ben, and I reckon I Kin give it to ye straight. Me and Ben was up to Grovcrsville this mawnln' to gir, a pa'r o butes. It was butej we went, iur, wasn't it, Ecu?" "Yes, pop," faintly replied the young man on the door, aihe opand his eyes aud looked around. "We went into a Molt aud asked rur bates, aid in thatstort wasahumblelookin' critter who was eatin crackers andeneese and askln the way to riuevllle. He was a iiuinble-IooKln' critter, wasn't he, Ben"' "He was, pop." "It wasn't none o' Ben's bizness about thut.erittcr,' continued the old man. "but he was reelin' colty, and kinder wanted to de sunthlii' smart. He looks the man over and then sez to me: " 'Pop, I'm goln to skcer that kuss outet thistown and half-way up the mounting. " 'As hew?' ez I. " 'Ey yi'llin lit his ear,' sez he. " 'Mebbahe'll.skeer and mebbe he won't,' hoz I. 'He looks, ipowerrul lonesome and down-hearted, but yo' can 't alius tell how a critter will perform.' That's what you said and I said, wasn't it, Ben?' That s wiiat v.c aid," oghert Ben. I didn't want you to yell, but you Telt colty and worldn't take my advice.'" "I jest wanted to bkeer him, pop." "Yes, you wanted to bkeer him. You got atouud behind liiin and rtruwed a 'ong bieath and let crgu. It was a mighty yell, Ben the powertidest yell I ever heard. I'm bragg'n nlHitit that yell, Ben." "Thankee, pop." "But it .1 nn't skeer nobody, like you tltought It would. The strauger Jest rlz 1'p slow.drawed a pistol rrom hcliiml.ind tho rust thing yu knowed jou had Uirfrc b Vvtx. Into yt. He rlz cp blow didn't he. Den?" ''le did." -And he rired three bullets Into your karkass and walked out doahs with his crackers and cheese, and said you could hev uicre lead if you hankered rur it?" "Is?. ip, he said that," whispered Ben. -But he didn't want no more " continued the father as he turned to me. "IleM got all he wanted and some to spare, ;.nd fo we put him ou a doah and ar' takin him home fur the doctor to work at. Mebb he'll die and mebbe he'll git w-jll. If he dies I shan't blame that huuible lookln' cntter 'tall. If he gits well he ton't never do no more yellin' 111 any bodyV ear, unless thar's a handy hill to dodsre behind. That's all let the pur cessloa move on!" DRIVING OUT THE CHILDREN. "Yes, I'e raised up a large family, but none of the-cliildreu ar lett with me," replied the old man In answer to my ques tion -La -a y'ar I made up my mind they'd never amount to anythln' unless they made u start fur themselves, and so I bought Bill a photgun and says: ' BUI. this yere roost ain't fur yo' no mo'- Jest go out and do suothiu' to start yo'self along.' "And Pill he took that gun and went over to Orange Vallej and shot a revenoo orricer and got into State prison rur lire and is all settled down. "When he had gone I bought a bike for Sally and look It home and says: " s'allj, thld yere roost ain't fur yo' no mo' Git on that I.Ike and go out into thy world and ketch a man. "Aud she didn't lose tvo minlts hoppln' into the saddle and whlzzin' up the road, and lu two weeks she was married to a feller it ho saved her from gittiu run over by a six-mewl team. The day arter she left I called Joe up and says to him: "'Joe, yer mouth ar' too big and yer knees are shackelty. but mebbe thar's btmthln' in ye arter all. I'll gin ye that old blijid ox to make a start with, and don't yo' come back to this roost no moV "Joe took the ox and went, and shuck my hide IT he didn't lead him down t the railroad itnd git him killed by a train and rake in $40 damages! Yes, sah, and he b&ught a mewl with the money audio gittln'rich by carryin' the mails. Jim wji next. X calls him up and looks liiin ovjr and says: " 'Jim, yo'r too pizen lazy to eat good bacon, but I'm goln to send yo' out to hustle. All I kin spar' yo' is a dollar iu cash. Don't cum back to this roost till you've made yer fortune." '01m took the dollar and went, and durn my buttons if he-didn'chire out to a dime museum as(the champion terbaccerchewer of the world, and he's now drawln' a sal ary of $25 a week and board. Thar' was one left, and that was Sue, and I calls her up and says; " 'Sue, it's time fur yo' growed-up chll I'en to be a-gittia. I'll buy you a new pa'i o' shoes and a sunbonnet,aud yo' must lightoufc "Sue started right orf next day and got married, and up to this time she's eloped tin co times, sot the house afire twice and p7cncd her husband twice. Xooks like she'd do the best of the hull lot." Crazy, Certainly. "Bobson is certainly daft about thatnew baby of bio." "What ha? te done?" ' Wky, we were all tulklng about the tariff at the office last Saturday, but Bob bon only made one remark." "What did he say?" "He wanted to know if they had raised the duty on catnip tea." Cleveland Pldln Dealer. 2fot us 11 Conqueror. (Prom the New Orleans States.) Tammany Hall is new firmly convinced that Low, the conquering hero, will not come. fGX3saexsss SS0CSSQ3SSXS- It was called the "Syndicate House" be cause it stood on land purchased by a syndicate for the coal which had been discovered there. The purchase took in 300 acres ot land, and that included a two-story brick farm-house and out-buildings. Ar secretary of the company, I gavo the house a looking over before., we closed that deal. It was au old uou&e, so far as years went. In good repair, and it was de cided that the superintendent of the mine should occupj it with his family. The house had not been occupied lor three or four years, the widow who owned it aud of whom we bought, living beveral hundred milea away. It gives one a Ioneso'r.e feel ing to go over a house which has stood tenantless for yeard, and though all the rooms in this hou.-u were f ull ot duimt Jie. I thought I had never been through a more lonely building. It neadd paiut and paper, a you would uaturally suppose, but it wasn't this which prejudiced me. I couldn't nave really defined my prejudice uor given any reasonable explanation, but when I lert the hous I felt that there wan something uncanny about it. I seat four men down from the city to paint nud paper, and as the place una three miles from the neatest village, i stoe, bedding, and other furniture were sent with the worku.cn, that they mignt Ci'Ok their own meals and pass the night there I went down ou ths second day of their stay to look after other matters, and had only got out of my buggy when the men announced that thy were iroingback to town Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory, but I finally pinned them down to a declaration that the house was "queer." When asked to define this term they all agreed that certain strange noises bail kept them awake most of the night The season was May, and some or the windows had been left open. The noises, they said, consisted ot walls and groans, wth the sound of footsteps crossing the floor. I laid it to a rat prowling about, and argued with them so successfully that they finally agreed to try It another night. It was ridiculous that four grown men should let "queer noises" rrighten them orr, aud before I lefttha place I had them very much ashamed ot themselves. I was to he down again next day, and to my surprise and indignation I met the men at the railroad .station. We were in a hurry to complete the renovation, and I went for theiii pretty hot about leaving the job. The oldest and most ln6elllgnt man ot the four acted as spokesman for the rest, and humbly swallowing the dose I gave him, j he replied: 1 "I have got as much courage as the aver age man. but 1 tell you that there is some thing queer about that house something bo queer that I would not pass another night there for 500 in cash. Ycu may ridicule and laugh, but do you think all four of us would throw up that job unleoo we had heard things to upset us? There's been murder done in that house, and there's a hoodoo on it. It gives one a creepy feeling to enter any of the rooms in broad daylight.' 1 was vexed with the men for leaving their work, and spoke harshly, and at this they retorted thatir I would remain in tlh; house nlane thut night they would returp In the morning and work a week without pay. This led to more angry discussion, and at length I tcldthem that I had made up my mind to stop for the night. None of them offered u. keep me company, nor did I -.vtint their companionship. I left them at the village, warning them not to gossip and make fools of themselves, and drove over to the mine and the house. I went all thiough the building from cellar to garret, having no hopesof making any discoveries and certainly making none, and finally made up in y mind that the gang or men In the shanty hair.i mile away had tvea responsible forthe alarms. There were ten or these men. and they were clearing orr the land, and as they were a rollick ing ret, they might have folt like play ing a joke on the men in the house. I spoke to the foreman about It, but he as sured me that uone of the men had left the shanty after dark. I did not tell him that. T proposed to pass the night in the hoase and wassure that none of the gang had any idea of my Intention. I was about the place all day, having plenty to do, and half an hour before sunset drove away as if Tor the village. At a form house hair a mile away I got supper and left the horse-and buggy, and It was dark when I got back to the "Syndicate House." There were two lamps and three or four candles, and asffooiiadl had shutdown the windows ami closed the blltids I lighted up and went over the house again, taking care to look into every corner and make sure that no one was in hiding. I franLly confess to you that I had no more than secured myself in the house than I began to wish I had a com panion. I had no weapons, and was surprised and irritated to find myself In a nervous condition The cellar was the length and width ot the house, and without a partition, while the garret was the same. On the first floor was a parlor, sitting-room, dining-room and a pantry oft the kitchen. The cham ber floor contained three bedrooms, with a closet for each, and on the lower floor was a hall running almost the length ot the house The workmen had papered one room and partly painted ,two others. After going through the house I took a seat In the kitchen- and ex tinguished all the lights save a single lamp The workmen had left a couple ot novels on the table, and I began read ing, and thut- put in the time until 11 o'clock, but eve.u as I read I had a ner vous, uneasy feeling. It wasn't fear, but It ate at my nerves until I rinally threw down the book and opened the back door and passed out. It was a still. quiet night, ' moonless, but not so very dark, and as I smoked a cigar I heard heveral wagons pass along the highway I remained outdoors about a quarter of an hour and then re-entered the kitchen to finish the book. As 1 opened the door I found the room in darkness. I had lert a bright light on tho table, and there was not draught enough to flare a candle. I stood for a moment undecided, having no reeling but surprise, and of a sudden I heard soft footsteps retreating into the sitting room. It was the echo of slippered feet, or of one walking on tip-toe, and I traced their progress for a distance of twenty Teet. My first thought was to step outside and close the door after me, but I put it aside and lighted a match and advanced to the lamp. The chimney was just a little warm, proving that the light had been out at least ten minutes. The wick had not been turned, and this meant that the light liad been blown out. Although my heart was ip my mouth and my hair curling, I picked up tho lamp and went through every room of the house, finding nothing, or course. "When I returned to the kitchen I was shaking likp a lear, and but for pride I htiould have bolted out Into the open. I lighted the second lamp and twu of the caudleo aud placed them In the rooms down-stairs, and then forced myself to sit down. It was ten minutes or more before I recovered my nerves, and I then tried to find a reason for the lamp going out. i T waa trying to argue with myself that 2SS3SS33GX5fe .ettse, -SGseeeeess there was a draught somewhere when a uoise like the singing of a telegraph wire in tho wind came trom the hall, and was speedily followed by a wall and a sobbing. It was like a child crying out In distress, and it lasted tolly thirty seconds. This was the sound which had driven the workmen out of the touie. but it did not drive me out. I trembled so th?t I feared to drop the lamp, and my throat was so tlxy that I could not a have made a loud bound, but I rased through the rooms Into the hall and up stairs, and once more looked about uw. So upset was I that, In descending the staira, I had to sit down three different; times, and my leet dragged after me as I returned to the kitchen. I fell into a chair and sat there shaking for many minutes, but I was btUl determined noS to be run out. If the noise came again and I listened closely, perhaps I could interpret it. I waited and waited, grow ing calmer all the time, and had just consulted my watch and noted that ib was twenty minutes after midnight when a pat! pat! pat! or footsteps caught my ear. They began 111 a room overhead and descended the stairs and came along tha nail and through the sitting-room. Every step was as distinct as could be, though gentle, and I'd have almost staked my lire that a woman or a child was ap proaching. I sat looking Into the. open door of the . sitting-room which was lighted by a candle, but though I heard the footsteps I saw nothing They crossed the room they entered the kltchen-they advanced to ihe table, and as my hair stood up and my heart choked me the lamp was blown out and 1 was lert in semi-darkness. IX I tell you than I screamed out and juiuped for the door and fled across the grass you will not call me cowardly That's whas I did do, ind going to the farmer's barn X put in the remainder of tha night on tho hay-mow. It was 8 o'clock in the morn ing when I returned to the "Syndicate' House" The lights. I had left hurnins had not burned out. but had blown out. There was nothing but this to see. When. 1 drove over to the village I found the workmen waiting for me. I told them r h?.d passed the night in the house and heard nothing but rats at work, but they refused to go back. I did not piess the matter, as I had other plans, and two nights later the sui erintendent, who was to occupy tho house, was installed to pass the night. I had frankly related my experience? and had been met with ridicule. Just as I-ex-pected. He was a hard-headed, practical man, rifty years of age, and fearless o everything human. He Jumped at tha chance of solving the mystery, and we drove over and went through the housa together. He said the ghostly footstepa I had heard was the gnawing ot rata, and that I had forgotten to close some window, and thus created a draught to blow out tha light. In ract, be burlesqued the matter from start to finish, and to show his con tempt for the ghost h insisted that I taka away all the lights but a single candle, and that not even a match should be left him. I left the house as darkness came and went to paw the night with the farmer. At 1 o'clock In the morning we -were aroused by the superintendent, and In all my life I never saw a man moro broEeu up thau he was. He first heard a walling ai-d sobbing at about 10 o'clock, and had tlieu gone over the en tire house and sought to locate the sounds au.I prove to bimselt that they were the resu-o ot natural causes. Tho sounds came again at 11, and he made another tour, livery door and window was secure, and the night was as quiet! outside as the one I had passed. Soon after 11 o'clock, as the man sat at the kitchen table trying to find a reason for things, h8 heard footsteps on the cellar stairs. The stairs led up Into tha kitchen, but, while the door opening into the room was shut it had neither bolt nor lock on it. He plainly heard the footsteps take every stair In rota tion until the top was reached, and then the door softly swung open. It was noS over blx feet from him, and he wis look ing full at It. He expected to sea a he man being appear, but nothing was there-notbing but darkness. There was a minute of deepest silence, and then the candle at the superintendent's elbow was suddenly blown out. He admitted that he never was so scared in his lite. For a few seconds he could not move a finger, and though he had seen no ono he fully expected to be struck or stab bed. Then he n.&de a rjjsh for the back door, shut it behind him as he went out, and run for his life. After breakfast I went back to the house with him. There was his half-consumed candle there the open cellar-door, which I knew had been closed the night before. What hand had opened that door? "What breath had extinguished the candle? "What had cried out In that waulng, sob bing way? I wanted nothing more to do with the house and lics'ipenntendentsald he would live in a stable first. I hired a constable to pass a night there, and the poox man was neaily frightened to death. Next uight two of the woodcutters putin the time -until one o'clock and then left the house. I then told the whole story to the board ot directors, and It was decided to pull tho house down. It the house was haunted the miners wnld ixjn discover the ghost in the mine, and that would not do a tall. Sooner than haves ny gossip about It thehouse was torn down and tne material used else- where. "Was the mystery solved in tlia tearing down? No. Things occurred Just as I have told yourandno onewasable to give any satisfactory explanation. CHAKLES B. LEWIS. Murder Tostponcd. Two flashy colored boys stood in the hot sunln rrontor tho railway eating house and looked at each other with their eyes rolled sideways. "Look hyah, you piece o' dahk meat, I got some bone-handled trouble in my iwcket waltin fo you it you eveh come 'round that baby tryin' to undamlne mel" "Slow up, boy! You's ou slippery road, an' ir you don't drive calhf ul you going to fall right in dat ditch, fus thing you knows." "Don't get me stained, coon! Don'C 'rouse me I wouldn't like to do it, but I could jus lay hold or yo'dahk body and cut it up into rubbah bolls. I ain't used das razuh raw whole week now , an it'd gettin uneasy. I can feel It movin' in my pocket an' say in', 'Mis tab., let me get out an do tomoping.' " "Look heah, yo bettali sing dat razali to sleep, 'kase yo'evan reach faw It yo' jes see whole atmosphere rull o nlggah wool, striped shirt an' blue klozo. Yes.fah.you'd have to bo geth'd up In a tasket. I got-a pice o' shiny hadwath in my pocket, au it sings sweet an low, an ev'y time lc speaks to you It ban's you a pound o'lead. Look out faw me, boy!" "Hush, coon, I really lovo trouble." "Don't stah't nothln 'less you want to lose money faw yo folks. Costs money to plant a coon; yes, Bah, You don't get rtfem sivah-handlcd boxes fawuothlu'; no, salt. Got any o'dem papah clgahs, Henry?" Henry reached for his package ot clgar ettes.and the traveler, who had beea wait Iuk to sqo murder done , gave au uclamuatlou of disgust, and walked into the railwaj atatioa. Haberdasher,