Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-07
THE FAIR STOWAWAY.

per called La Belle Helene, Laden with lOc0m0-
ives and railway plant and bound for the east.
Having loaded at Liverpool, We We're hauling
out or the Princes half-tide basin. when a
slnart-lOoking man with stern face and look
OF IofeiSn service came on board and abruptly
addressing the mate. desired him TO clear the
ship OF strangers. This was CAPT. SpTOul, who
had within twelve hours OF his appointment
been ordered TO sea with two strange Officers
and crew. some OF whom were not in their
sober SeLSeS. while others did not understand
Engt>h AT Point LynaS the tug and pilot left
US. with a strong southwest wind and cross
sea into which the vessel was plunging, setting
everything forward afloat-
On the second day things were a little more
shpShape; though az noon, when We We're
pIPed 10 dinner. the fOTecastle was Dark a )
pitch, what light there was being obtained
from SiuSh-Iamp eXtemporiZed out OF q beef
tin, rope-yarn and potato. Two wooden
beef-kids, containing the last dinner OF fresh
meat, had been laid on the hatch. round which
about fourteen men were seated, when some
thing like faint squeak seemed to issue from
underneath "RatS already remarked one OF
me crew, helping himself to beef; when just as
'he snip gave an unusually heavy pitch, there
was heard long. wild continuous SHREK, abou
which there could be no mistake. In an instant
every man was on his feet; the hatch was
cOalhOld. and directly afterwards shouted
StowawayS here, Send down line" When
a oow-line had been thrown over him. We
hauled up Wretched Sea-sick looking lad of
ABOUT twelve years OF age, who seemed Ill and
worn out with exhaustion; and who was fol-
lowed by an elder boy. whose face and form
suit OF taurpaulin much too big for him.
What do YOU mean by yOwling and yelpin
IN that way?' rOared Black, whose real nam
was Papa, one OF those rough turbulent
looking men peculiar to Liverpool and New
York.
The elder lad made no reply, but was In the
act OF putting his hand in the nearest beef-kid
10 assist his companion with food, when Black
jumped up and drawing his knife across the
lads knuckles sung out: Men before boys, re-
member; and not a bite Of grub do you get here
Til you are Victualled by the Ship
d" shame" replied another voice which pro-
ceeded from hammock; and Hawke, a pale
looking young fellow with IL thin sharp nose and
pair of eyes as bright and piercing as a birds,
put his head out.
WHO said that?"
Il did. answered the man in the hammock
land say 100 that Oumust be a coward to cut
boys hand like that
- stand out then, if You don't want to be
served the same. > retOrted the other; and Black
stood up and bfandished his sheath-knife. But
he had not long 10 wait, for Hawke sprung out
Of his hammock, and without q word struck the
bully blow which fioOred him. When the lat
ter regained his feet he was mad with passion
and frantic for revenge: and selling his weapon
and lowering his head, was again rushing TO the
attack. when unable to standit longerI stepped
forward and caught his wrist, which twisted
I'll he dropped the knife. Shouting to the
foreigners. he yelled: Are we to be bullied
uy the BTltisherS in this Way?' and felt my
sell choked from behind, and while struggling
with TWO unseen adversarieS, slipped down
WIN mem IN. nPper436st- general melee now
erS which was getting fierce and Sanguinary,
when Mir. COBB, the mate. hearing a cry of
Murder" rushed 10 the rescue, followed by
the DoatsWaln- The former was tail. Wiry
man: possessed of great strength. and as he en-
tered the fOTccaStle he saw two Maltese iumD-
ing upon the body OF shaw. the young SEAMAN
who had found the StOwawayS. Without hest
tatiOn. Mr.. Cobb seized one in each hand and
Knocked their heads together; but in the dark
he was SET upon b. Others, and one of the Nal
teSe who was down seized him by the leg and
bit him savagely; but the mate dealt him ter
Tible kick which made him relinquiSh his hold
and lie Sprawling on the deck Black was
shouting, ''DOwn with him-I1l finish him.
when he was seized by this son OF Anak and in
spite OF furious resistance, was thrown on
the deck, and IN presence OF the whole watch
put In irons. By his courage strength and de-
cisiOn Mr.. Cobb Overawed the whole OF US and
perhaps saved some or the English portion from
being murdered.
Order being restored Mr.. Cobb called for
lights: and all Objectionable weapons being de-
I1yered up 10 him. he cOndescended 10 ask what
the disturbance was about; but when he found
that in spite Of his orders and care there were
strangers on board. he began to chide the see
ord mate and the boatswain for their ne gil
ceEce.
In the meantime the elder OF the lads had
placed his arm round the neck of the younger
as though 10 protect him. both Of them looking
very frightened. Mr.. Cobb regarded the pair
with look OF severity. and roughly ordered
them TO follow him To the cabin. When the
waits appeared before Capt. Sproul that officer
was in the act OF threatening to disrate the
steward whom he charged with being inclpl-
be and making free with his decanters; but iii
rectly the captain saw the pair and heard tn
account OF the disturbance in the fOrecastle on
their account, he broke out with: You are
pair OF young lOafers who ought to be in iai,
and shall go there when l reach Calcutta;''
ana mere the captain rose up and commence
boxing the elder lads ears for entering tn
cabin without removing his hat. aud had JUS
Wrenched the objectionable head piece from
the bows head when mass OF tangled yellow
hair fell down and the younger Whined oili
Please don't hurt her, sir; she's my sister,
capt: SprOul staggered back aghast ..Mercy
On US. he exclaimed. Have you no shame 0
reputation left to come maSluerading anon
my crew in mems clothes? VINO are you. AMI
what's your name?"
The girl cOlored crimson as she repliel.
Helen Muir and then related that having NJ
home relatives Oh friends in England, she hal
run away from a boarding school near Liver
pool, because through no letters on remlttanca5
having been received from her father for two
years, her life had been made wretched from
hearing reproacheS constantly heaned uD0n
their name. For the same cause her DFothp.
had been compelled TO 60 TO sea; and not wish
ing 10 De separated. they had determined 10
Work their passage out TO India and reIOin
their father; leaving their clothes behind, and
giving their last money to the wife OF ship.
keeper, who induced her husband TO place
item In the hold OF La Belle Helene
But, said the girl, :. | will be no cost to
YOU. for am clever with my needle. can mlkt.
pastry and do. think, al! that steward can
taPtaI III SpT0ui gave her searching look, and
SAD: :, SHAH Try you;' and calling for Mr.
cobb. desired him TO enter in the log that John
Iattamy was diSrated for drunkenness ana
Helen Muir appointed in his place And Tho
boy, continued the captain, Twill Clean our the
cabins AID assist her
The mate burst out laughing. and evidently
imagined that his commander was testing. b,lt
The captain Looked Sternly al him and rem irb ID.
MI. cobb, It's an i'll time Tor testing when
give orders. as those who know ME lind
Ay- ay. sir returned the other. whouuciiy
retired 10 his cabin 10 make the entry
Now, Helen" commenced Capta!n Sor1ul
every soul on board here has TO work and -
must you; and yOur duty Is simple. Take charge
q the cups and S3ucerS, glass and linen and KEEP
them clean. Pass my orders TO the cJOI who
VIII come Tor them every morning at six sharp.
lay the table and wait on me The boy wifi
attend 10 Mr.. Cobb and The second officer Nov
remember. and the captain looked terribly in
ID earneSt-"OutSlde the cabin doors YOU mis-.
not Stir without permission, nor speak 10 one
OF me crew Tor any reason. or YOU VIII be s0rry
tor IT, But II you come 10 Inc when in any
difficulty, and do your duty without fear or
faNor fTOm any one. you viii be as safe in this
cuddy a. though you We're in yOurfather's draw
inS-rooln- Having admoniShei the girl Wit,
ms lacnnic speech. the captain found her
cabin. and turned his attention 10 getting he;
some clothes; and bringing piece OF dsrk-b,un
serge intended for hkS own use and an old cloth
Jacket, he laid them ON the cabin table and
commenced 20 fashion a garment which wne3
completed rcSenb!ed the useful dress OF q Sister
Of Charity.
In the course Of a day or two. what With the
Lap;ain'S cloth and her own clever fingers
Helen was transformed into a biup-eyed sun
SHINY girl OF "a ~