MEN I HAVE KNOWN.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 6, Issue 40, 25 June 1895, Page 2

MEN I HAVE KNOWN.

(Specially written'for the Peloriis Guardian.)

[By Willy Waugh.]

ALBERT MUSGRAVE.

(Continued.)

After he had persuaded them to return our hero laid down on the sofa and took a short rest, but he was up again before the sun, and, with the captain, set about making preparations for tlie funeral, as, owing to the hot weather and the closeness of the cabins, they knew they could not keep the body many hours.

After breakfast the, sail-maker fulfilled the sad office of stitching the body up in canvas with two cannonballs at the feet, and then, by Albert's directions, enclosing the whole in an enormous Union Jack, which our hero had made fast, remarking that the Colonel should take his colours with him, An hour before noon all was ready, every man ou board was clothed in his best, aud a " firing party " told off to render the last salute; all the flags on board hung at half-mast, and then, the body having been brought on deck,. Albert went down and brought up the *o to vhg orphans. Every lam hh *$

they appeared leaning on the arms o our hero, and, when the captain rea< the impressive " Service for the Dead,' there was not a dry eye on boazd th< ship. When the body was lowerec into the deep and the salutes fired Albert led the weeping girls back tc their cabin, and left them to mourn ir quietness for a time, whilst he wenl on deck to amuse himself the best waj he could. Whilst pacing up and dowr the deck he noticed the man who hac been saved from the Maid of Orleans sitting on the main hatch sunning himself. Beckoning to him to come aft, Albert asked him to relate the particulars of the misfortune that had befallen himself and his shipmates. The man, who said his name was George Davis, took the seat Albert pointed out to him, and then made the following statement:—" We had been round to China with a cargo of opium, and were on the point of returning with a cargo of silk, when Colonel Kingsley, who had been to Canton on business connected with military matters, took a passage for himself and two daughters with us. We had a pleasant run to Cape Cambodia, when it fell calm and left us drifting about for three days. We kept strict watch all that time, knowing that the Cape is notorious for the pirates that infest its vicinity. All the day and night before the attack we kept a bright look-out, but nothing was seen, and just before dark I was up in the cross-trees myself, but there was not a tail in sight; you can, therefore, imagine our surprise when the attack was made. The felucca appeared close aboard about three o'clock in the morning, and, although we at once brought our big guns to bear on her, owing to the darkness, little execution was done. In a few minutes they were alongside, and, while some of the wretches were making fast to us, about ninety poured on our deck and commenced a terrific onslaught. We only mustered twenty-one all told, so we had no chance to beat them off; still, we resolved to sell our lives dearly, and there was not one craven spirit among us. Our captain and Colonel Kingsley both fought like lions, but*their courage did not avail. I saw my mates falling rapidly all round me, and I made a rush at a big man who appeared to be a chief among them ; I succeeded in thrusting my cutlass through his breast, and then received the blow which left me in the condition you found me. I have lost six months' wages, for our captain owned the ship, and all his property was on board." " You are very unfortunate," said Albert, " But I will help you a little. Here are ten pounds for you, and you can enter your name on the yacht's book's at once, so that you may lose no more time." The men thanked him heartily, and touching his hat, marched off, delighted to fulfil his order. At tea time Albert persuaded the young ladies to join himself and the captain at their table, and endeavoured, by every wile, to make them forget their loss. In this he partly succeeded, and had the satisfaction to see them dry their tears, and a gentle, melancholy, infinitely touching look took their place. (To be concluded.)