The Portland daily press., 1874-09-05
Continued from last week)
Tricks that are Vain.'
CHAPTER III.

of that wise saying in the fact that Captain
Obedah Skillins and Mr.. Detective Sharpsey
had each in his own mind, privately, deter
mined to outwit the other, and at the same
time to circumvent the pirate Baker, With
this laudable object in view, each proceeded
TO lay his plans to conform to such circum-
stances.
Captain Sklins was early astir on the fol
lowing morning and having refreshed his
outer man by vigorous sputtering and blow
ing in bucket of water, followed by a nip
per of his favorite Hollands to equalze the
temperature-proceeded to arouse Mr. .Pender
graf and invite him to a council of war in
the little cabin.
Long and earnestly they consulted and the
result appeared to be highly satisfactory to
both parties, inasmuch as Obediah, then and
there, INDUCED in the unprecedented extrav-
agance of treating Jake to another glass from
the case bottle and joining him in the con-
vivial dose.
''Now Jake,'' said Obediah wping his
mouth with the back of his hand, 'you are
sure you have got your bearings and no mis-
take?''
"All right" said Jake.
'And you have soured on the whole
scheme" pursued Skillins with wide grin.
Correct" said Jake.
'sWon't have nothing to do with it no how.
Think it is all CANNON, don't ye? persued
Obediah with wider grin.
"Aye," said Jake stolidly and with per-
fectly serious countenance.
"Wall, wall, your queer one, you be Jake
to go back spec like this and go TO stevedor-
in," persued Obediah, his face now stretched
into shark like grin, most marvellous to be-
hold. "However," he continued, "have yer
own way-have yer own way Jake an
shan't go agin it, and with sudden as
sumption of the severest gravity be arose and
proceeded on deck.
Casting his eye up the wharf he saw man
approaching whom be at once recognized as
Sharpsey.
Turning on his heel he walked back to the
companionway and doubling himself ever
the bulkhead he thrust his head down the
ladder till he caught view of Jake still seat
ed at the table, when cooking his eye into an
unearthly wink, he Immediately disappear.
ed from the view of that gentleman,
Jake at once made his appearance on deck,
and the two stood ready to receive the de-
tective.
Mornin', cunnel," said Obediah, as
Sharpsey stepped aboard.
''Good morning, Captain" responded the
detective. "Any news? ?"
"Nothin'-nothin' at all, only-see here,
Cunnel, step this way minnit," said Obe-
diah, somewhat nervously, and taking the de- (
tective by the arm he led him forward out of
ear shot of Jake, who was with great appar-
ent unconcern preparing for the days work.
The two men conversed in low tones for
ew moments, anon casting glances in the di- ]
rection of the mate, who still pursued bis
work, when Sharpsey, walking across the /
deck, took jake by the arm and glancing
keenly into his face, said: i
$50 Mr.. Pendergrast, you decide to aban
don us, do you?'
"Aye," responded Jake, looking the de-
tective in the eye with careless indifference.
'Why, may enquire ?" said the colonel.
"Gammon;' responded Jake.
"What?" said the detective, in some sur
prise.
"Gammon;" repeated Jake in the same
tone and regarding Col. Sharpsey with per-
feet composure.
''See here, my friend" said the colonel, in
some heat, "what in the devil do you mean
by gammon9,
81 mean," said Jake, gently rolling his
quid into the opposite cheek, 81 mean gam
mon.''
"He means, Cunnel," said Skillins, hastily
interposing to prevent the angry outbreak
which he saw in the coloneps eye, che means
that this ere scheme of ourn is CANNON, and
for that reason he don't want no part in it.
That's about the fgger, amt it, Jake?'' turn
ing to that individual for confirmation.
"That is about it," said Jake, and resumed
his work without further remark.
Col. Sharpsey regarded him for few mo.
ments with look between suspicion and an
ger, but, apparently, thinking it best to drop
80 unpromising customer, turned away
with growl and proceeded to take observa-
tions of the condition of the vessel and other
matters as preliminary TO laying out his
plan of operations. He asked many ques-
tions of the captain and men and made note
in his pocket book, but made no remarks
which would enlghten Obediah as to the re-
suits of his observations, although repeated |
ly invited by that worthy to confide in him.
Obediah watched his every movement mar |
rowly, however, and no sooner had he taken |
his leave, after making an appointment tor
meeting that night, than the two mariners |
proceeded to take observations on their own |
account in precise imitation of the detect |
ives manner, the result of which Jake noted |
down in huge pocket book which he after
wards consigned TO the depths of his inside |
shirt pocket
The good captain was in high glee over the |
result of his mornings work, and as a relief |
10 his feelings invited Jake down to another
interview with the case bottle in the cabin, |
after which he broke forth into song in these |
words, land no tune in particularly:
"Oh, hog-eye ship and hog-eye crew,
And hog-eye mate and captain too,
oh, a railroad niger and hog EYE ma-a-a-n, |
All you want is hog eye man."
This sentimental ballad he accompanied by |
wild and uncouth dance of his own inven-
tion, and Mr.. Pendergrast, catching the en-
thusiasm of the hour, joined in the chorus
and patted his leg and stamped his foot to as
sist his superior officer in marking the time.
"Now," said obediah, when this perform
ance had been satisfactorily concluded and
the case bottle safely locked up, syou can
proceed to your work while keep old sbarp
sey quiet. Let me know how you get m
and I'll keep you posted; and mind, now. il
is a square trade. If you track this ere
Baker and nab him, on your own hook-we
divy."
"Aye," said Jake.
'Of COURSE" rursuel Obedah," shall be |
able to help you great deal as you 60 along,
by tellin' you what old Gimlet-eye is doin'