The Cryptogram

as I recalled many little incidents of the past, looking at them now in their true light, I saw that I had indeed been dull-witted and slow of comprehension. I had won Flo

uld make her my wife, and carry her off into the wilderness or to one of the lower towns. I was young and strong. I had some money laid by, and it would be but a delight

ould ever induce her to break her promise. She belongs to Griffith Hawke, and she will marry him. And even if it were possible to win her, honor and duty,

I stretched myself on my bed-the hour was late-and for a long time I dozed or tossed restlessly at intervals. At last I fell into a sound sleep, and it could have been no great while afterward when I was rudely awakened by a crash that pitched me out of my bunk to the floor. A second and far loud

and yelling; others were gazing as though stupefied at the wreckage of shattered spars, flapping canvas, and twisted cordage. The ship was plunging fore and aft-a sure sign that she was not now aground. The mist had partly cleared,

onfusion and panic, and the skipper's orders were being tardily obeyed. I moved forwar

I demanded anxiousl

rock-probably the side edge of it-and immediately sheered off into deep water. It was

the time?

morning, and we are

fared worse," said I.

lied. "The water is pouring in, and th

I cried, "if

ipper. I found him close by, and as I hurried up to him he was j

well, sir, and it is steadily incr

directed. "Get some food ready, men, and prepare to lower th

all up with my ship, and I'm a ruined man. But I'm going to

cabin,"

Now there was no time to lose, and I hastened to the companion way. At the foot of it, where there was some

sed," I exclaimed. "I w

plied, "and I prepared for the worst

red; "but there is plenty of time for

he said bravely. "I know

cabin for some articles of value. I was quickly back, and as soon as the companion was clear-the skipper and some of the crew were swarming down-I

ell unceasingly, soon drenching us from head to foot. The worst of it was that we had shortly to face a deadly peril. The boats were frail, the sea rough, and the storm-beaten coast of the

could do nothing but look on, with a growing uneasiness, for which there was good cause. But at last all was in readiness, and none too soon, fo

let down some food and then followed us. The skipper and the rest of the crew occupied the long boat, which was lowered at the same time from the opposite side. Both craft were hur

ker, followed by shouts of "Look! Look!" I glanced back from the stern seat, and at that moment the Speedwell went to her doom. There was a sound of c

ng the water out. The wind-lashed gap between the two boats widened swiftly, and in a short time the long boat was lost to sight in the darkness. Again and again we shouted at

udstone asked of the first ma

d. "It's no use trying to keep off

?" Flora asked of

hoarsely. "It is better t

he sea. The storm still raged with undiminished violence, but it was growing a little lighter now, and as often as we rose to the top of the swell we could see the fain

suddenly shouted. "Pull hard ab

high, rolling forward swiftly, when the jolly-boat was pitched far into the air. It hovered an instant on

and looked about, I experienced a moment of sickening horror, for I could see nothing of the girl; but suddenly she rose wi

e I supported Flora with the other. We were hurled up on a wave, and from the crest I saw the capsized jolly-boat some distance off. Two men were clinging to the keel, but I was unable to recognize them. The next instant the wind seemed to

sea. Flora was perfectly conscious, and partly able to help herself. We were in such peril that I c

to be drowne

is very close, and we are drifting straight in. A tremendous su

d; and as she looked up at me I read in her eyes the confess