Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1892 — CAST UP by the SEA. [ARTICLE]

CAST UP by the SEA.

BY SIR SAMUEL W. BAKER.

CHAPTER Ili. —Continued. ... r---' For more than a year Tim! bad led B life of bitterness; not a day passed without some severe lashes of the whip, accompanied by the uncalledfor abuse of the nigger-driver. It was in vain that he did his utmost to please—he received nothing but threats and blows; he would sometimes steal away and bide among the thick sugar-canes, and think of bis little village iso far away in Africa, and cry till his heart nearly broke when he thought of his distant home that he should never see again with his mother, and the flock of goats that he was Blinding in the forest on the day that he was stolen away. It was too much for Tim, and he longed to die. Once'he had complained to his master, who had accordingly reprimanded the overseer; but from that time his lot was even worse than before. as the natural cruelty of his tyrant turned to actual hatred. At length Tim determined to run away; he knew not where to go, but anywhere was better than his present position. He left the plantation one night, and ran and walked alternately until, at sunrise, tired out and footsore, he reached Port Royal. A man-of-war’s boat was just pushing off from the shore, and Tim rushed into the water, and in a few broken words explained his distress and implored protection. The lieutenant who commanded, with sailor-like charity, took him on board. and<Tim quickly found himself on a first-class frigate, which sailed that day for Englund. Duringjhe voyage, Tim. who had learnt to cook in the cruel overseer’s service, made himself useful in the ship's galley, and soon became not only a great favorite with his master, but with the rest of the crew. A few days after quitting Jamaica the frigatejfeil in with a French ship, which she captured after a severe engagement? during which Tim’s master (the lieutenant) distinguished himself greatly and was badly wounded. Tim nursed him with much devotion until their arrival in England, when the lieutenant was rewarded with an appointment to the command of a revenue cutter. From that time Tim regarded his brave and kinjl-hgarted master with intense affection, and, having a sailor's work, he formed one of the cutter’s crew, of which he was now the on’y survivor, tire gallant commander having been destroyed by the rock rolled down upnn him by ' Mother Lee. After breakfast was over he told this simple story of his career, which at once gained him Polly’s heart, while the bright eyes of Ned sparkled at his description of bis adventures, more especially at the account bn the action with the French ship, when the brave lieutenant was wounded. From that timb Tim became a member of Paul Grey's family; he made himself generally useful, sometimes assisting Polly. Grey in the cooking, but more frequently he attended Paul and Ned in fishing when the Polly went upon a cruise, or when the boats pushed out with the seinenet to capture a shoal of mackerel. Tim did not forget his old master. Although happy, he had fits of gloom, when his thoughts wandered back to that fatal night when he clung to the drifting mast in the raging storm, and heard those last manly words of encouragement, “Never say die! hold "fast, my lads!’’before Tie lost sigh tof his brave captain for ever.

CHAPTER IV.

The holiday's were over. Ned Grey had a happy time during the past seven weeks, and had been full of adventure: in addition 10-the ordinary pleasures of his home and the occupation of fishing, be had made several voyages to the coast of France in the fast clipper Polly, and had escaped two or three French cruisers after an exciting chase; his holiday had wound up with the wreck of the cutter and the rescue of “Nigger Tim,” as he was now called in Sandy Cove. Ned Gray excelled in all manly pursuits: there was no better swinitner in the Cove, neither was there a more active shijor or better fisherman; at the same time he ranked as high at school in the more serious branches of education. No mother coyld surpass the fondness of Polly Grey for her adopted child, and she was now well repaid A Job her care, not only in the physical perfection of the boy. but in the filial affection that he returned. She had taught him herself until he was nine years old, by which time he could read and write fluently, although it must be confessed that his juvenile industry was less visible on his slate and copy-book than in his untiring energy and resources in setting lines for fish, making crabnets and lobster pots. In all these pursuits he had been an apt piipil of Polly Grey’s. But, as the watchful Parson Jones had often warned Polly, the time had arrived when be must be sent to school, therefore she had to part with her much-loved boy and resign herself to the solitude of her home. Thus Ned had first gone to school as a boarder in the house of Parson Jones when he was nine years- old. entrance among bis fellows by the simple but stern prl n t ip!es of mortality; that he should be too proud to |teU an untruth or do a mean action; S“*hat be should be rigidly honorable n all his dealings, and that he should lever bully nor alldw himself to be milled. With this advice, which he lever forgot. Ned parted from his parents, as he considered Paul and

Polly Grey, and went to school. ,AL though Parson Jones and his “wife were the perfection of kindness, Ned felt the difference between home and school; he had never known the want of a mother until then, and there &ere many hours when his thoughts returned to the little white cottage on the cliff, and he longed to feel her loving arm around his waist and her warm kisses upon his dheek. Then, as the scene of his dear home appeared, he would recall all the fond words of advice that had fallen from his mother’s lips, and these he resolved should always be his guide. Four years had passed and Parson Jones declared that Ned was the best boy in school. He was exceedingly gentle in his manners, <;lever for his age (he was just turned thirteen), at the same time he was the best cricketer and the fastest runner, although there were boys several years his senior; With such Qualifications it was natural that he should be a general favorite; but there was one exception to the rule, which had for several years been a source of much annoyance to Ned Grey. The largest landed proprietor in. the neighborhood was a certain Squire Stevens, whose eldest son was a boarder in Parson Jones' school. The lad was slightly older than Ned, to whom he had, without any valid reason, taken a peculiar aversion. It was in vain that Ned had at first endeavored to win his friendship; there was a jealousy in the unmanly heart of Jem Stevens that nothing could remove. The fact Ned that excelled him in various games of foot ball, cricket, and others that tested the activity of the boys, was-suffleient to make him an enemy. Added to this meanness of disposit'on, he was a notorious liar; and had not Parson Jones hesitated to offend his father, who was the great man of the parish, he would, on more than one occasion, have expelled him from school.

The holidays being over, Ned Grey once more left home and returned to school. It was only five miles from the Cove, therefore, as the Polly was going out fishing. Paul managed to put him and his trunk on board, as he could land him within half a mile of Parson Jones’ house. “Good-bye, Ned” shouted many voices, as. having taken leave of his mother, he descended to the beach. , The children ran out of several huts to shout “Good-bye" likewise and to . shake hands with Ned. who. with i Tim's assistance, carried his heavy • trunk along tlw beach and placed it ;in the boat. They soon got on board the Polly, taking the pinnace in tow, and with a light but fair breeze they I saihd out of the Cove and waved a ' parting farewell to Polly Grey, who I stood upon the, terrace of the cliff ' watching their departure. ;

In less than an hour they landed. I and. assisted by a powerful sailor, I who carried his trunk, Ned followed • the well known path up the cliff and ' .shortly arrived at the village. It was a lovely spot. Sheltered in a deep dell, the gray spire of the old church rose above the rich green foliage of the woodsxvi rippling stream flowed through the bottom -of the glen, where Ned had often caught a basketful of small trout upon anoliday afternoon; at times the brook was hidden between cliffs of reddish and <p-ay limestone, upon which grew a rich fringe of underwood, broken at intervals by a noble oak;in other places the water was as smooth as glass, in deep black pools in some sudden bend of the stream where the torrent had hollowed out a resting place. ; Crossinc; a rude bridge, formed of a tree felled across the brook, Ned 'passed the meadow that bordered the high road and arrived at the church, close to which stood the rectory —Dr. Jones’ school. It was a large gable-ended house, with lattice windows, and was completely covered with ivy, except in several places where the exuberant growth had been checked for the cultivation of the myrtle and magnolia which were carefully trained upon the wall. The garden was beautifully kept; a small but rapid stream flowed through a lixrge lawn ornamented with flower beds, tastefully arranged while the natural undulations of the ground were in some places levied into terraces of fine turf that de-' scended to the rippling brook. Several ancient mulberry trees afforded a delicious shade, beneath which rustic seats were arranged: it was on one of these that Ned had been accustomed to sit in the heat of the day and read, when Dr. Jones permitted the boys to enjoy themselves in his private grounds. The sailor had carried his trunk to the back entrance, and Ned, having opened the garden gate, advanced quickly along the approach to the front door. As the gate clanged when Ned had closed it, the sound attracted the attention of alight and youthful figure that was seated in Ned’s favorite spot upon the lawn, beneath the spreading branches of a-venera-ble mulberry. She had been reading, but upon seeing Ned approach she quickly closed her book, and springing up, ; ‘‘Ah! Ned,” she exclaimed; “how you startled me. I was just reading about Edward the Black Prince, and I was wondering whether he was called ‘Ned when he was a boy, and then the gate slammed,and I jumped audsawyou!” •/- — ‘‘l am sorry, that I startled you, Edith." said Ned; “I didn’t know that you were here until this moment, when I first saw you rise; pray forgive me.” < “Oh. yes!", replied Edith, laughing. “it was no great sin, but I’m so glad you are come home again I Papa

and mamma will be so very glad, also, for you know you are their great favorite. Come ink 1 think papa is in his study.” O There was a blush of pleasure on Edith's lovely face as she thus welcomed her old playfellow and ledhim toward the house. Edith Jones was born a month after that fatal night, now thirteen years ago, when Ned was rescued from the sea. She waS, ( J therefore, nearly the same age, and; as both her father and mother had taken the warmest interest in Ned, and had frequently told her of the extraordinary manner in which he, a helpless infant, was saved, she had regarded him with tender sympathy ever since he had first entered the school, when they were both children of nine years old. Both Dr. and Mrs- Jones had treated Ned more like one of their own family than an ordinary schoolboy ; therefore it was natural that Editli, as an only Child, shouuld have regarded Ned almost in the light of a brother; in fact, as they bow walked together,, hand in hand, across the lawn, they matched as though sprung from the same parents. Edith was tall for her age, and beautifully formed, while her long waving blonde hair, that fell in a dense mass below her shoulders, agreed exactly in color with the rich locks of the handsome boy by her side. She had the same large blue eyes, fine complexion and delicate features; and, better than all, the same warm heart and generous disposition. In a few minutes they entered the house, and upon Edith's knock at the study door being quickly answered, they entered. “Here’s Ned come back, papa,” said Edith; “he’s looking as brown as a gipsy, and so grown, isn’t he?” “Ha, ha, Ned, my boy!” exclaimed the delighted schoolmaster, “I’m very glad you’ve come to us again; we have been quite dull without you; even the canary won’t sing as usual when you’re away. How are your father and mother? AU well I hope? Ned having replied, now gave them an account of the wreck of the cutter and the rescue of the nigger boy Tim. Edith’s eyes brightened during the description. “Where is he?” she presently exclaimed. “Oh, Ned. how I should like to see a black boy! And does he love you for having saved him?” “Oh, yes,” replied Ned. “I’ve heard that niggers don’t feel, but I’m sure that's not true, foramina's as fond of me as possible, although we’ve had him only a few weeks, and he loves father and mother like a dog. ’’. , ' ■ ' - “Like a dog!” exclaimed Edith; “but is he not like us? Is he not better than a dog in his affedtion?” asked the hesitating girl. At this moment there was a rush against the half closed door, and a large black Newfoundland dog, bounding into the room, at once recognized Ned, and, springing toward him, it almost knocked him down as it placed its forepaws on his shoulders and attempted to lick his face. “Ah, Nero! Down! down!” cried Edith.

“Poor fellow!”said Ned, as he returned the dog’s caress and patted his silky sidesand neck; “don’tdrive him awyy. Nero, my boy. how did you know that I was here again? ’ said Ned, as he affectionately hugged the faithful dog. “I wish all people were as good as dogs,” said Ned. “I believe Tim is, and both Tim and Nero are niggers, for they’re both the same ■ color, only Nero's not so ■ wooly. ” —— ; '• “Well," said Edith, half convinced; “Nero loves me dearly too, don’t you Nero? Nobody loves me so well as you, Nero, do they, old boy?" This she said as she caught the dog by his ears and looked lovingly in his face. Somehow Ned blushed deeply as he was about to make some remark, which was idtrerupted by the entrant# of Edith's mother. Mrs. Jones was a good-looking woman of about thirty-eight. There was a great excitement in her manner as she merely shook hands warmly with Ned, and then addressed her husband: ‘‘My dear, you are wanted immediately; there’s a terrible affair. Really that boy Stevens must be expelled; he has nearly or quite killed little Norris. They had a quarrel, and he has stabbed him with a knife!” In an instant Dr. Jones left the room, accompanied by all present, and upon arriving at the schoolroom tney found a crowd of boys around the wounded boy, who had fainted for want of blood, and was laying on the floor, while a tutor supported his head- The doctor, who lived close by« had been sent for, but before he arrived young Norris had revived, as the usual remedies of cold water and smelling-salts had produced an effect. In the meantime the culprit, Jem Stevens, who had been disarmed by the other boys, stood sulkily in the corner with his arms pinioned behind him. He was an ill-looking fellow, very pale and freckled, with a quantity of tightly-curling sandy hair; his features were coarse, and the expression of his large mouth, with exceedingly thin lips, was peculiarly forbidding; he was tall, but clumsily made, and his general appearance was far from prepossessing. The doctor quickly arrived, ana happily pronounced the thft hemorrhage had been alarming.Theblade of the knife had entered the shoulder and had fortunately been stopped by the bone. “Now, then,” said the doctor,, as he strapped the wound tightly together with plaster, “as Horace said, ‘Jam satis terrjp nevis’ —‘Now we’ve had enough of knives' —and as Virgil says,’ he added, looking sternly a>

Jem Stevens *‘ ‘Arma virumque cano!’ —‘Cane him on the arms and the rump.’ ” It was seldom that Dr. Jones had recourse to corporal punishment; therefore, whenever such a course was absolutely necessary it had ten times theordinrry effect as an example. But on this occasion -he-con-sidered it to be his duty; accordingly he now appeared with the cane, and she called upon Stevens to stand in the middle of the room. “I didn't do it, sir," faltered the cowardly fellow. “I was cutting a stick when Norris tried to snatch it from me, and he fell against the knife." This was quickly proved to be a complete falsehood, and the cane was about to descend with extra warpath for the He, when the wounded boy Norris interceded in his behalf and endeavored to save him from punishment; he was quickly joined in his petition by Edith, and for the moment the schoolmaster’s arm was arrested. “James Stevens,” he said, “I regret to say you are a disgrace to your family and to this school. I have pardoned many of your faults, and I have corrected others, trusting that you would improve; but after nearly five years’ trial you have end-; ed in an act of cowardice, cruelty and in falsehood. I have little hope of you, but I give you your own choice. Will you receive a severe chastisement, and then ask pardon of the boy you have injured, and endeavor to improve during this half year, or will you rather be expelled the school at once?” “I hate the school,” said the sullen coward, “and I’d rather leave." A yell of contempt burst from the crowd of boys, while the good Dr. Jones grew pale with emotion at the thought of this lamentable result after allthe care he had bestowed on the wretched boy. “Untie his arms, ” said he. “Go, Stevens, to your room, and at once pack up your things while I write to your father.” The culprit left the room amid the general hissing of his comrades, in which Ned Gray and little Norris were the only two who did not join. In the meantime Edith had also disappeared, while Dr. Jones Sorrowfully retired to his study to write his final letter tp Squire Stevens of Herron Hall.

Jem Stevens quickly packed up his clothes, and doggedly determined that when the fly should come to the door he would depart without taking leave of any one. Accordingly, having prepared his things, he descended to the garden and entered the shrubbery, as he imagined, unseen; in this he was mistaken, for he had been watched by two persons, who, although unconscious of each other’s presence, were actuated by the same feelings. Edith quickly followed him. She hoped to soften his hard heart and to persuade him to ask her fathers’s pardon and to be friends with little Norris.

Ned Grey had no idea that Edith had such an intention, and, although if he had an enemy in the world, Jem Stevens was the person, he was generously determined, if possible, to persuade him to act like a boy of honor, and to apologize and receive the punishment in a manly manner, As Ned followed the direction where Stevens had disappeared, he started at seeing the figure of Edith for one moment as she vanished among the trees. She was evidently searching for Jem Stevens. Now it would be difficult to explain why, but the fact remained, that Ned did not like to hear Edith intercede with her father so warmly for Stevens when he was about to be flogged; and now that he had caught sight for an instant of her pretty figure hurrying in the direction that Stevens had taken, a bitter feeling seized upon his heart, which beat double time at that same moment.

“Why should Edith take so much interest in Stevens? —that blackguard, Jem Stevens?” as he could not help muttering aloud, as he now angrily followed through the tffick shrubbery. He heard voices close to him, on the other side of a clump of trees; before he could appear in view he heard;Jem Stevens rudely reply to Edith— : 1 “I wish the knife had been through Ned Grey’s ribs!”

In an instant he rushed through' the bushes ar.d appeared on the small lawn upon which Edith and Stevens were standing. “Through Ned’s ribs, you cowardly brute!" cried Ned, as in the same instant he threw off his jacket* afid waistcoat. “You may try those tricks on poor little Norris, but not on me, you coward! Now come on: and, Edith, you stand on one side.” said Ne<4 io a voice so stern and so different to the soft tone to which she was accustomed that the tears started to her eyes. “Off with your coat!” shouted Ned to Jem Stevens, who did not appear very impatient for the fray; now ever, in another minute the two boys stood in sparring attitude, opposed to each other. Stevetas was the heavier of the two, and equally tall, but there was a superior activity in Ned that made up for his inferiority in weight: both were fair boxers, and the fight began with a considerable amount of skill. Although Ned was angrily earnest, he did not lose his temper, and he walked round his antagonist coolly waiting for his fos left hand well forward and his right ready, and keeping steady time with each step, as Stevens with great caution kept on the defensive. Ned suddenly made a feint with his left which Stevens attempted to stop, at the same moment he received a heavy blc;V with Ned’s jight in then chest thi« sent him reeling backward.

Without a moment's loss of opportunity Ned followed him up with a heavy left hander straight between the eyes, that fairly knocked him down. Stevens\cold blood was now heated, and. springing from thp ground, he rushed forward utterly regardless of science, and with his head down, protected by his bended arm, he closed with a swinging right handed hit that, unfortunately, caught Ned upon the ear and sent him reeling and, for the instant, half stunned upon one side. Stepping back with consummate coolness and dexterity, with both hands well forward on guard, Ned waited and defended himself until he lost the buzzing sound In his ears and recovered from-the serious blow.

‘•Stop!’ cried Edith. “Ned! Stevens! dear Ned!-’ she cried, “do stop —that’s enough —for my sake, Ned!” At this appeal Ned looked on one side fondly at the peace maker; but, taken off his guard forithat instant, he received a crushing hit from his opponent straight in the face. . “Don’t talk now, Edith,” he replied, “till I’ve polished this fellow off!" and, rendered doubly steady and determined by the blow that stung him, he lashed out left and right, after stopping a wild attempt from Sevens; both blows told, and Stevens staggered several paces backward, but profiting by his first success, he again guarded his bowed head with his bended arm and rushed in with great fury, once more delivering a swinging right-hander. Ned sprang quickly- on the right and met him wjth an upward cut with the left exactly on the nose; at the same instant he turned and floored him with a, righthanded blow on the ear. Jem Stevens lay upon the ground, thoroughly beaten. “Get up!” cried Ned, “don’t cry craven yet!” But Stevens only replied by sitting upon the grass and allowing the drops to fall from his bruised nose. (TO BE CONTINUED.) > '