Page:Stringer - Lonely O'Malley.djvu/326

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304
LONELY O'MALLEY

vision-chest and held temptingly out before her a large pot of currant jelly, and, what was to him, a heart-breaking slice of seedcake.

But still Pauline Augusta bawled. Then preserved cherries were shown her, and pickled walnuts were held closely under her nose, that she might perchance smell of their deliriously pungent odor, and forget her tears. But still she bawled, louder than before.

It was no time for half measures. The Second Mate was for putting her in irons, and locking her down in the cabin. But the First Mate was of the opinion she would begin breaking things there, and like as not eat everything up on them; and then where would they be?—especially if they had to stand a long pursuit, or the ransom was n't paid right off!

The crew looked furtively up and down the river. It was a dangerous game they were playing.

"Here, you," said the Captain, in desperation. "We 're pirates, and if you don't stop that yellin' we 'll hang your father! Then we 'll hang your mother, as well; and if that don't do any good, we 'll hang the servant girl,