The Portland daily press., 1865-11-06


exception Of one old white-haired fellow with
one eye, which twinkled through its halfclos-
ed lids with the most comical expression of
mixed fun and suspicion.
My men know something of that old heo
gar" whispered Rowland as he passed me
just before the start. "Here, take nv GLASS ;. T
dare not use it myself. Now then, nv men.
are you ready ?-one, two, three p' bang |
And off they all ratified across the shinole and
tremendous excitement.
The two Codlingham boats knocked over an
old woman, and fouled halfway down to the
sea; and the Rakeston men we've we'll into
their Seats and their sail hoisted. before either
Of the Others were off the stones. They were
leading, as nearly as l could see. by a good
half dozen lengths, when the boat they were
to round was reached; but there. as it seemed,
some mistake or other was made, for when
the sails were lowered and the three could be
distinguished again, the Rakeston boat was
some way behind the others.
"Not badly done that" said Rowland. nut
ting down the glass which he had snatched
from me just before the beats turned. aJocll-
ey small have crown next time | come across
him. LOOK out; we are to have a race of itw
The Codingham boats still led, and were
rowing splendidly together, but did not seem
to be making very much way, and the Ralxes-
ton men gained on them at every stroke.
Though as fully persuaded as Rowland him.
SELF That the race was only part OF the old
smuggling dodge Jockey had been telling US of
few days before, found it impossible to help
catching the general excitement, and shouted
as loud as any one, as almost at the same mo-
ment, the three boats grounded and the steam
ing crews splashed into the shallow water, and
In less time than it takes to write it, were
straining and painting up the shingle. The
Rakeston men were first at the bottom of the
last ridge when one Of them slipped on a rot
ten dogfish, and one of the Codllngham crew
wrenched their boat past, and, amid such
cheering as one does not often hear, won by q
nose. There seemed to be pretty general
notion that something was up. The crowd
closed in around the boats so thickly and quick
ly that found myself shut out, and the broad
shouldered fishermen, over whose southwest
ern had to peep at what was going on as
| could, were evidently in full enjoyment of
some excellent joke or other.
"Capital race" said Rowland. @You Rales-
ton fellows lost too much time rounding, eh?
Your boat seemud a trifle heavy in the bows
l thought, as she came in. Couldn't have
hghtened her, suppose? Hailoal what have
you got here under the sail? Nets, Ell p
Queer ballast that, isn't it? Here, Jones,
come and lift this out"
Don't be too hard on US, Captain said the
one-eyed scamp, in the most dolorous voice.
poor wife and childrenp
A roar of laughter followed, as the suspi-
cious nets were lifted out by a sailor, and dis
played-lothingl The whole thing was sell
and the boat empty.
Poor Rowland-he was very sore about it.
A good dinner, and strong natural sense of
the ridiculous did a good deal towards restor-
ing his equanimity; and under the influence
OF pipe in the garden, he was quite recover
ing when servant came in to say that some
one wished to see him. 1t was Jockey West, 4
who was standing by mysterious little keg,
looking very serious. He took off his hat
when he saw us.
Servant, sir, servant, your honor"
Nothing wrong, hope" said Rowland.
"Doy you want me ?"
Yer honor hain't heard, then, doubt.o
Heard what? What is it?o
Two boat loads of things brought ashore
at Rakeston this afternoon, and gone right
away Most unfortunate, there wer1't not a
preVentiye-man about the pIace-all on 'em
gone by TO Codlingham. Bacca and brandy,
mostly, doubt Two o. my boats Joads.n
Your boats? Whatl do you mean to saw
you let them have your boats ?"
"'TwoTnt my fault; you hain't no right to
speak to me o that manner. coined to tell
YER,
@Well, well, go on; let u5 hear about it,"
"Well sir, my boy Jockeys boy was about
thlty, and a size larger than himself1 nv boy
seed them hailing and rowed out to ak what
they wanted; there was right big boat; and
bowed If they didn't tie his arms and legs,
and took two lots ashore afore they let him
go"
swell, hang it all i did you see them ?"
"Seed 'em? in course seed 'em, and spoke /
to 'ern."
Then you viii know them again."
"Lor, sir, | was that bilious that [ conldn't
see nothing but yaller and green. They were
TURNER'S, owdacious furriners, but my eyes
swan that couldn't make out no more.'
@Your son could tell them again, of course -
"Its very distressin', sir; they made him
hat drunk that he can't mind nothing about
It. say to him, you young warmint, says l,
told you not to go Out-leastwise, would ha'
told yer, if had Mapped to ha' seed yer; but |
Lawk, sir, all appears right of a muddie, like.
That's long time since / ha' knowed such a |
sight o things come in and no one to ak a
question:" a1
"Yon said you spoke to them; what did they
say?"
Zone On 'em coined up with this here little
keg, and said, Here, old chap, send this to the
Captain for his good lady, and say as how she
will find it particularly calculated for cherry
brandy"
"You eonfounded old scamp p said Rowland,
go into the kitchen, and tell them to give you
some supper, if you are not too bilious; and |
don't let me catch you out in hurry, or you |
shall know it. I'll be even with you yet. Con-
founded old scoundrell / shouldn't have
thought l was fool enough to be done like
that. | owe him one anyhow. Come, have
cup OF coffee. London Society.
/