LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2454, 16 February 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE MAST-HEAD LIGHT.

[Abridged from ‘Diprose’s Annual.’] ( Concluded.)

The howling of the wind had prevented the f>ound of the movement of oars from an approaching boat being heard on the cliff, bat now the flickering flare from a torch, carried by a rough eon of Neptune as he journeyed from the cave to the boat, displayed to the coastguards above the scene being enacted below. Two men now proceeded from the boat, and carried between them what appeared to be a somewhat heavy harden towards the cave. The coastguards la'd down on the cliff, so as the better to see directly below, and although nearly frozen by the bleak wind watched attentively without at present speaking. The men below journeyed from boat to cave, and cave to boat, several times, besr'ng sundry parcels, whilst their leader with the torch lit the way; then, having disem barked all their cargo, they once more attempted to brave the raging sea. ‘Giro us a bit of ’baooa, Bob,’ was the affectionate request of Mr William Capstan, as soon as he conld conveniently loosen his tongue.

The modest demand was complied with, and as William rose to his feet he emphatically declared he should hail the daylight with a vast amount of pleasure. ‘What with that there lamp,’added he, ‘and now this bit of bizness, dash my buttons if I shall know who I am presently.' * ’Tain’t nat’ra!,’ replied his mate, shaking his head furiously from port to starboard like the mainsail of a smart cutter when she bears np to the wind.

* Humph,’ ejaculated the other, as he walked towards the hut; but he remem • bered too well the presence of the mast-head light of the Mary Ann to admit of bis entering, so ho paced up and down as though walking the quarter-deck. The coastguard. Bob, now mustered all his courage, and entered the hut, from which though he quickly emerged, carrying a heavy coil of rope, and when he threw it down on the ground close by his shipmate William, the noise caused him to think it was another performance being rehearsed by the terrible masthead light. ‘Don’t touch it 1 Don’t touch it!’ roared Mr Bill in terrible fear ; don’t touch it. It ain’t a nat’ral critter !’

‘Strikes me you ain’t either,’ replied bis complimentary mate, as he proceeded to fortify himself from the voluminous black bottle. After the refreshment, Bob made one end of the rope fast to the post outside the hut, and then kicked the remainder of the coil over the cliff, and at once commenced a perilous hand over hand descent. Everything is possible to a determined mao, thought the coastguard Bob, as be scrambles down the swaying line. In due time he reaches the cave, but within it was all darkness and he coaid discern nothing else, but as he had forgotten to bring a light he groped ahont as best he could. First he stumbled over a heap of chalk, which caused him to talk in a peculiar nautical language. Presently he knocked against something softer, which he seized hold of and determined to take up to the hut. lifting the precious bundle, he cautiously retraced his steps, walked along the perilous slope and reached the line. To this he made fast the parcel, and then began band over hand the upward voyage, meaning to haul up the rope when he had safely landed himself. Wiliam had not ceased imagining all sorts of hideous things since bis mate had gone down, and now, thinking it high time that Bob had returned, he ones more extended himself on the ground close by the rope, and tried to see below through the darkness. It was just at this moment that Bob had taken the last grip of the rope before landing on the cliff top, and consequently his head came full amidships with his mate’s face, whereupon Mr William roared out — ‘ Taint a nat’ral critter.’

Bob gained a safe footing, and after laughing at his mate, requested him to help what he called “ h«ave up the anchor.” This was no very arduous task, and the bundle was soon landed. The outside cover consisted of an old sail; this was soon ripped open with a jack knife, and then several dresses of ails a, and more modest materials, and smaller garments were discovered.

‘ Just as I thought,’ said the much married William, ‘ sure to be a wom n in the mess; wonder if her name is Mary Ann V

‘ Strikes me you’re right mess mate,’ replied the brave Bob; ‘ perhaps another trip below might reveal the lady herself ; strange things happen at sea, yon know. Bill 1’

* Yea, and on land, too, Bob,’ piped out the Immortal William, as he mumbled out something about the mast-head light of the ill-fated “Mary Ann.”

This time Bob took a small hand lantern with him, strapped to his belt, and by the aid of the light he discovered several small packages in the cave. These he fastened to the tops as before, bat as he failed to sight land in the shape of the lady, he once more began bis upward voyage. Daylight had now dawned, and the parcels were searched. The first contained nothing bat pieces of old rope : the next a valuable collection of missionary tracts and newspapers of ancient dates and foreign conutries. end the last and heaviest was a rich Aisoit sent of blocks, pi cea ofj 11 chaln/and an old lamp. Bob looked at his mate, and bis mate looked at him.

• Don’t touch it; don’t touch it,’ roared Bill, all his farmer terror possessing him at sight of another mast-header; ' taint no more sat’ral than “Mary Ann;” chnck it overboard.’

• Shiver my timbers,’ growled Mr Bohert, ‘if I couldn’t smuggle notbiak better nor that I’d tarn honest to-morrow.’

* But yon haven't smuggled nothink better,’ logically replied his mate, ‘ Strikes mo, we’re In a mess,’ growled Bob, ‘ and can’t say nothink about the find. Halloa 1 here comes old Timbertoes. Wonder what he wants ?’

The gentleman known as old Timber-toes was a weather-beaten old salt with a wooden leg, who claimed the honor of having foaght in the old ‘Victory’ under Lord Nelson, bat as the nnfortnnate fact existed of his baptismal register dating hut three days prior to the memorable battle, there were to be found a few uncharitable people who donbted the statement of tho venerable tar.

‘You’re a nice pair,’was the old man’s salute.

‘What’s np now?’ chorused the coastguards. ‘ Nothing much,’ was the reply, ‘ only you’ve let a nice priza slip through your fingers. Old Portsea Jack,’ who lodged with me, says that about four o’clock this morning he and two of his mates landed as fine a cargo of ’bacoa and rum, about half a mile to the east’ard, as ever he clapped his eyes on, arter landing a lot o’ marine stores in Chsnelton Cave for ragged Tom in the lanes. That’s all. my hearties !’ ‘l’ll sorag him !’ shouted Bob, as he frantically kicked the bandies before him. ‘And I’ll shorten his sail.’ chimed in Mr Bill.

‘ Best leave him alone, or yen’ll get a raking down for not keeping your eyes open,’ wisely pat the old tar. ‘Eyes open!’ retorted Bob, ‘here I’ve been a toiling all night long, risking my valuable necks, and only fishing np this old garbage and clutter. ’ ‘ No one else knows nothink about it,’ slyly remarked old Timber-toes. ‘ Nor they mussent,’ added Bob, as ho lovingly paid his respects to the black bottle, and passed it round. ‘ Here’s better look next time,’ was the toast of the ancient mariner, as he took a long and strong pall at the square face. ' Humph I’ ejaculated the sweet-tempered William, * you won’t catch me on the watch any more, whilst that ’tarnal limp’s alive It ain’t a nat’ral critter, but is up to all manner of fiendish games. Strikes me this and all our other troubles comes o’ that there mast-head light.’