The Cruise of the Jasper B.

tarboard quarter and dropped anchor near the Jasper B., Cleggett recalled that this was the day which Cap'n Abernethy had set for ge

rs, bowsprit, quantities of rope and cable followed-in fact, every conceivable thing necessary to convert the Jasper B. from a hul

ils and masts into her in one da

traight line from Moscow to Petersburg, commanded his engineers: "Build me a railroad to run like that." Genius has winged con

ability to go straight to the point,

ss as his chief executive officer to see that this was done. The Captain had let the contract to an enterprising and businesslike fellow, Watkins by name, who had at once looked the vessel over, taken the necessary meas

it might have seemed a scene of confusion. But in reality the work jumped forward with order and precision, for the position of every bolt, chain, nail, cord, piece of iron and bit of wood had been calculated befor

bright; in a simple morning dress of pink linen Lady Agatha stirred in Cleggett a vague recollection of one of Tennyson's earlier poems. The exact phrases eluded him; perhaps, in

gly, making her Pomeranian sit up on his hind legs and beg for a morsel of crisp

gett unexpectedly; he was not aware t

a, "how the dear man glares!

om the word "barge"; it is not to be denied that "s

ady Agatha, "but what IS th

surprise in his voice. The most generous and chivalrous soul alive, Cleggett would have gone to the stake for Lady Agatha; and yet so una

are you?" she said. "Because, you know, I

imal extend its paws as if pleading. "Help me to beg Mr. Cleggett's p

ave jarred upon the fastidious Cleggett; indeed, as she was, if she had been just a thought more playful

a tear in another minute. Then Cleggett cursed himself inwardly for a brute-it rushed over him how difficult to Lady Agatha her position on board the Jasper B. must seem. She must r

y Agatha," he began, bl

Eat your egg before it gets cold and don't say another word. Of course I know you're not REALLY going to be cross." And she attac

day," he said presently. "Maybe you'd like to get away

e it!" s

e glad to take

ment in her voice; he had not thought to disappoint her, but w

to Morris's this

ris's?

y,

isn't it

d and shrugged

will not go over ther

orry. I

s rash-it

s no rea

m going w

would hardly

" she repeated, risi

Cleggett. "I couldn't

IS danger,

int. "I shouldn't have m

s back in an instant with her hat

to start,

u're no

st upon my right to share whatever da

ive and early proof of it. It had not so much as occurred to her to enjoy immunity on account of her sex; it had not entered her mind, apparently, that her sex was an obstacle in the way of participating in whatever dangerous enterprise he had

where else I may choose," she said hotly, with a spot of red

do," said Cleggett, with an intens

usly presumptu

Cleggett found his admiration grow as his determination to gain his point increased. For she fough

laugh, which was her signal of capitulation. And then she add

d at himself. "I'm taller than you are!" he cried, and the next instant

er whole face alive with l

ughing now in spite of himself, as she laid the knife across their heads. But his voice broke and trembled on the next words, for

eluctance. And then she said, with a ripple of mirth: "Yo

height; she was slightly taller than the average woman; he had really thought she might

but she had challenged his ability to dominate her, and she had been worsted; he had unconsciously met and satisfied

by the scene of the explosion of the night before, but daylight told him nothing that lantern light had failed to reveal. He had no very definite plan, although he thought

think that the hostile denizens of Morris's should think that he had moved the Jasper B. from her position through any fear of them. He reasoned that the most pointed way of showing his opinion of them would be to walk casually into Morris's barroom and order a drink or two. If Cleggett had a fault as a commander it lay in

, ran the whole length of the south side of the place. Doors also led into the barroom, from the south verandah, which was built over the water, and from the east verandah, which was visible from the Jasper B.-and onto t

he west verandah-all this easily, and without turning his head. By turning his head ever so slightly to his right, he could command a view of the door leading to the east verandah. Unless the ceiling suddenly opened above him, or the floor beneath, it would be impossible to surprise him. Cleggett too

and walked across the room without looking at them, withholding his gaze purposely. When he looked towards the bar, after seating himself, the waiter,

the bartender in a voice too elaborately ca

hey grew thick and long; and, with a perversion of vanity almost inconceivable in a sane person, Pierre had twisted these hairs together, as a man twists a mustache, and had trained them to grow obliquely across his cheek bone. He was a big fellow, for a Frenchman, and, as he walked towards Cleggett with a mincing elasticity of gait, he smirked and caressed this whimsical adornment. Cleggett, fascinated, stared at it as the fellow paused before him. Pierre, evidently gratified at the sensati

t, recovering himself. "And with a p

ndow pane and caught a big stupid fly, abroad thus early in the year. With a sense of almost intolerable disgust, Cleggett saw the man, with a rapt smile on his face, tear the insect's legs from it, and turn it loose. If ever a creature rejoiced in wickedness for

ding between them concerning this delightful pastime. It was too much. Cleggett, with an oath-and never stopping to reflect that it was perhaps just the sort of action

he office opened and the man whom h

te the commander of the Jasper B. at the same table. He was wearing the cutaway frock coat, and as

my revolver. Loge perceived by his f

a smile which he perhaps intended to be ingratiating. Cleggett, looking Loge fixedly in the eye, wit

ring gaze for gaze. "I am looking for some information myself