The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-10
BILLY BUTTONS.
BY NORMAN MACLEOD, D. D.
CHAPTER IIl.-CoNCLUDED.

One morning early the look out
paused in his slow walk on the fore
castle, bent down, shaded his eyes
with his hands, and then sent the
cheering words ringing along the
deck, Land ahead on the weather
bow" In an instant the Captain s
telescope was directed towards the
spot indicated, and a low dark line,
from which the haze was slowly rls-
ing, was seen. As soon as the news
spread, all hands were peering to-
wards the distant shore, cOniecturlng
what portion they sighted, when Dick
Martin said, Three cheers, my lads,
for Billy Buttons its him has
done itp' A hearty cheer was given,
which astonished the Captain, who
did not swear, but smile, saying to his
mate, Il think it's Kinsale Head, but
L m determined to make for the first
port and get proper nurse for Billy,
for he doesn't take to his food, except
little raw egg wi a few drops o
brandy beat up intilt.' The mate
said nothing but "All right; the land
will soon come DOT, it's loomin' mair
and mair; we shall make our course
soon"
We'll, Captain" said the steward,
we've done the job, do declare.
after all He'll get into port! Losh
| could maist greet tae think OF!
Wee Peter" (the cabin boy) " is
dancin' ABBOTT the cabin half daft,
PARTLY at comm hame, but mair for
Billy"
The Clyde put into Cork harbor,
and the worthy Captain Immediately
went On shore in his gig. He said to
the crew, Now, lads, avast heaving
with grog. We shall, I promise you,
splice the main brace when we get on
board with nurse for Billy. but not
till then"
The men touched their hats, and
said, Never fear, sir, you may de
pend on u.s. Good luck to you, sir.
You'll find US here any time you
come back"
The Captain proceeded direct to
the Lying-in Hospital" where, on
stating his case, and, what was more
weighty argument, offering hand
some sum of money, he managed to
get respectable nurse, able and will
ing to nourish Billy.
Never did men receive into their
boat person with more satisfaction
than they did the jolly-looking blue
eyed Irish nurse and her trunk, as
the Captain. almost nervous with ex-
citement, handed her in; never be-
fore did the oars of the gig bend and
fash and roll with such quick and
regular rhythm; and never was more
sincere happiness felt on board ship,
than when the crew of the Clyde
swung the nurse on board. Her
hands were seized with a grasp which
made her cry, "Och, don't be kill
ing my bit fingers, but let me to the
little darlint." Soon she had Billy
in her arms, and though the orders
were given to heave anchor with
will, yet there was such
an anxiety to hear the report from
the cabin, that it was not until the
Captain came up and said, Draws
like the big pumpl Heave away now,
lads!" that they really set about
work. Then with cheer and bound,
the windlass was manned, and round
they went to the tune of !" Ho TO,
Sally OF" adapting to it's refrain i'm
promptu lines fitted to the occasion,
such as sailors delight to indulge in.
One rough voice would chime in
Billy is my darling, my darllng,"
&c; improvised by the next singer
darling" and ther the united chorus
OF " Ho 70, my Sally o. with the
rapid tramp round the windlass.
1t was quite true Billy had taken to
Bridget. And Bridget declared that
it was the blessed Virgin alone
could have preserved the child alive,
but that even the Virgin herself could
not be expected to have kept him
alive to Glasgow without her coming
on board. Pat, her husband, had al
ways declared that her "childer
throve like young potaturs, &c. And
so the little woman went on talking,
after having made Billy comfortable,
and blessed him over and over again
as sea wonder.
All this time the good ship, under
steady breeze, was bravely working
| her way along the Irish coast EDWARDS
to the Clyde.
The Captain had not neglected to
bring on board large supply of
fresh provisions of all kinds required.
He served them out literally, along
with such an allowance of grog as
made the crew anticipate with glee
the dinner which he had ordered to
be prepared for them.
After the dinner was over, one of
the crew was deputed 10 thank the
! Captain, and to ask as great favor,
to allow Billy to come on deck, as
they wished to have dance in hon.
or of the young bo'sun." The Cap
tain-whose nature seemed 30 have
been almost too soft and tender-re-