A few moments later, a report echoed through the gloom; one
flash, and all was still. Then came the splash of a body falling into
the water. The old passenger, still leaning against the mainmast, his
hands crossed on his breast, seemed lost in thought. Boisberthelot,
pointing towards him with the forefinger of his left hand, remarked in
an undertone to La Vieuville,--
"The Vendee has found a leader."
THE MERCHANTS' CUP
From "Broken Stowage," BY DAVID W. BONE
I
"Fatty" Reid burst into the half-deck with a whoop of exultation.
"Come out, boys," he yelled. "Come out and see what luck! The _James
Flint_ comin' down the river, loaded and ready for sea! Who-oop! What
price the _Hilda_ now for the Merchants' Cup?"
"Oh, come off," said big Jones. "Come off with your Merchants' Cup.
Th' _James Flint's_ a sure thing, and she wasn't more than half-loaded
when we were up at Crockett on Sunday!"
"Well, there she comes anyway! _James Flint_, sure enough! Grade's
house-flag up, and the Stars and Stripes!"
We hustled on deck and looked over by the Sacramento's mouth. "Fatty"
was right. A big barque was towing down beyond San Pedro.
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