The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1868-12-14


!, o:ed # md then said in low tone:
Boys, il seems TO me it's time hat War.
ner was along hire with that ere basket.
I'm getting hungry.
l don't scc'what can keep him away so
bong, said another Of the men.
It's on account OF that sneaking fellow
ait there, he seems uncommon wakeful to-
night, answered one Of the watch, point
ing to the third mate, who was walking
slowly up and down the quarterback, and
who. We will inform the reader, usually
dozcd away half Of the four hours Of each
watch.
Curses ght upon him. exclaimed Jack
What can have got into his thick head to-
night, that he don't go to sleep?
One things ccrtain-ifhe keeps awake
much longer we won't get no grub
Warner won't Of course venture out Of
the cabin while he's awake, for he'd blow
on him right of to the captain.
Catch me in another whale ship when |
ret clear Of this one, will you? exclaimed
JACK Hall, cncrge,ically, biting Il piece
Of tobacco from the plug which he took
out of his pocket.
No, no, continued Jack, returning the
tobacco to his pocket, YOU don't catch this
boyin another such scrape. The next
time ship III find out what sort of u
man I'm going to sail under.
don't believe that Cummings has a
single good quality in his nature, said one
of the watch.
don't believe he has, neither, answer
cd Jack. I've heard that he's goin' to
get married whcu he goes hCme to tue
States.
How did you find that ont?
The steward told ME. lie said that he
was 'quainted with the gal. and t!.at her
naRe was Lucretia Manvile,
If was Warner Id tell her all about
the way the captain uses his mon, when |
got to New bedford.
So he will, | guess, answered Jack
and I shouldn't be bit surprised if he
married the gal himself.
] don't see how she could help takin'
likin' to Linn, at any rate, answered ono
Of the men.
Yes, answered Jack, and
Look the 5ooby's gone to sleep at
last, interrupted one of the crew, pointing
aft, where, with his head bowed upon his
breast. the third mate sat upon the car,
pentcr's chest, apparently asleep.
But This time the men were mistaken
the officers had received his orders from
the captain and was only fcigning sleep.
Holding on to the spokes Of the wheel
with one hand, the man at the helm
leaned towards the spot where he. Uhc
otficcr) sat. and pccrGd cautiously into his
face. rs though to satisfy himself that he
slept Apparently assured by the exam
ination, he then stopped down and tapped
three times at the cabin window in front
of him. The next moment the form Of
tic steward might have been seen
emerging from the cabin with large
basket under his arm. Stca!.Lily and
swiftly he glidcd forward and deposited
his burden among the men, who quickly
carried it down into the forccastle.
You are true friend, Warner, OK
claimed Jack, grasping the hand Of the
young steward.
have only done my duty. answered
Warner, the men shall MT go hungry
while | am in the ship Aud taking the
now empty basket from the hand of one
Of the seamcn, the young man turned
back 10 the cabin as sieathily as he came
Fine doings. tacse-Gne doings. l
reckon the captain will be mighty pleased
when he hears on EN-, muttcrcd the third
mate exuling in his own cunning. /
~ p, c.ed the steward all along, he'll have
to suffer for what he's done Ill bet.
A, las. it struck eight bells, and as the
sentorian lungs Of Jack made the air
ring With his "Starboard watch-ahoy f"
t C third mate spranG to his feet, aud de-
sccnded into the cabin to call the officer
wlo was to relieve him. lie awoke the
cond mate, and was just about ascend.
jig to the deck, when he heard the voice
# the captain calling TO him. lie in-
au;ly obeyed the summons. and enter.
ing the captains room found that indl.
vilual sitting up en- dishabllc," in bis
bunk.
Well, said Cummings, have you found
out anything yet?
/ Yes, sir.l have. answered the third
mate, in that soft fawning tone, which i
sometimes used Icy an under officer whel
he wishes to creep into tue favor Of hi.
superior.
lie then proceeded to give minute
description Of all that lie had seen. witt
which the reader is already acquainted.
You've done well, said Cummings, whcr
he had concluded, ! vii! give you rec,
onmcnd when we get Into Bedford.
Thank you, sir, answered the sncakln:
cur, bowling himself out of the room, la
III hand
So. then, that's the way they manage
muttcred Captain Cummings, us soon n
he had gone, and my own steward, til,
last man whom ] should have suspected
is ut the bottom Of it all. Well, he shall
meet with his deserts. lie paused mo
mtnt, and then continued through III