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The door of the house was wide open, for the admission of air. It faced the
haven of the islets, and just as the mate s eyes were turned to it, the end of
a flying-jib-boom, with the sail down, and fluttering beneath it, was coming
into the view. The Poughkeepsie! exclaimed Mulford, in delight, seeing all
his hopes realized, while Rose blushed to the eyes. A pause succeeded, during
which Mulford drew aside, keeping his betrothed in the back-ground, and as
much out of sight as possible. The vessel was shooting swiftly into view, and
presently all there could see it was the Swash.
CHAPTER IV.
But no--he surely is not dreaming.
Another minute makes it clear,A scream, a rush, a burning tear,From Inez
cheek, dispel the fear
That bliss like his is only seeming.
Washington Alston.
A momentof appalled surprise succeeded the instant when Harry and Rose first
ascertained the real character of the vessel that had entered the haven of the
Dry Tortugas. Then the first turned toward Jack Tier, and sternly demanded an
explanation of his apparent faithlessness.
Rascal, he cried, has this treachery been intended? Did you not see the
brig and know her?
Hush, Harry--dearHarry, exclaimed Rose, entreatingly. My life for it, Jack
hasnot been faithless.
Why, then, has he not let us know that the brig was coming? For more than an
hour has he been aloft, on the look-out, and here are we taken quite by
surprise. Rely on it, Rose, he has seen the approach of the brig, and might
have sooner put us on our guard.
Ay, ay, lay it on, maty, said Jack, coolly, neither angry nor mortified, so
far as appearances went, at these expressions of dissatisfaction; my back is
used to it. If I did n t know what it is to get hard raps on the knuckles, I
should be but a young steward. But, as for this business, a little reflection
will tell you I am not to blame.
Give us your own explanations, for without them I shall trust you no
longer.
Well, sir, what good would it have done,had I told you the brig was standing
for this place? There she came down, like a race-horse, and escape for you was
impossible. As the wind is now blowin , the Molly would go two feet to the
boat s one, and a chase would have been madness.
I do n t know that, sirrah answered the mate. The boat might have got into
the smaller passages of the reef, where the brig could not enter, or she might
have dodged about among these islets, until it was night, and then escaped in
the darkness.
I thought of all that, Mr. Mulford, but it came too late. When I first went
aloft, I came out on the north-west side of the lantern, and took my seat, to
look out for the sloop-of-war, as you bade me, sir. Well, there I was sweepin
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the horizon with the glass for the better part of an hour, sometimes fancyin
I saw her, and then givin it up; for to this moment I am not sartain there is
n t a sail off here to the westward, turning up toward the light on a bowline;
but if there be, she s too far off to know anything partic lar about her.
Well, sir, there I sat, looking for the Poughkeepsie, for the better part of
an hour, when I thought I would go round on t other side of the lantern and
take a look to windward. My heart was in my mouth, I can tell you, Miss Rose,
when I saw the brig; and I felt both glad and sorry. Glad on my own account,
and sorry on your n. There she was, however, and no help for it, within two
miles of this very spot, and coming down as if she despised touching the water
at all. Now, what could I do? There was n t time, Mr. Mulford, to get the boat
out, and the mast stepped, afore we should have been within reach of canister,
and Stephen Spike would not have sparedthat, in order to get you again within
his power.
Depend on it, Harry, this is all true, said Rose, earnestly. I know Jack
well, and can answer for his fidelity. He wishes to, and if he can hewill
return to the brig, whither he thinks his duty calls him, but he will never
willingly betrayus --least of all,me . Do I speak as I ought, Jack?
Gospel truth, Miss Rose, and Mr. Mulford will get over this squall, as soon
as he comes to think of matters as he ought. There s my hand, maty, to show I
bear no malice.
I take it, Jack, for I must believe you honest, after all you have done for
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