The Osceola times., 1879-03-08
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THE RED JACKET.

1t was a queer scene that our crew
presented, as we carouscd, when oul
schooner lay csreened, in the cool
ground. floor of the Hacienda de ls
R)aaca, which we had turned into q
public house TOR the Bonce. The hacien-
dero was so overjoyed at our having run
our eighty slaves sale into Cuban waters
that he gave us the key of the cellars,
| and a roy, teripg time hsd we. Fiercely,
moustsched Caspardo Chaco took bis
turn at spinning yarn. He had been
drinking deep, and, glass in hand, he
began the following, In a mysterious
tone, which he deepened into a doleiul
strain as he progressed:
Joseph Bolton, see you," said the
old school-tescher to one pupil Of thir
teen whom he detected mixing the noee
of sleeping scbool>mate.
Joseph Bolton, though admonished by
the teacher, wss soon after guilty Of
blowing paper wadding through quill,
point blank at the head of the school
monitor, and 1t did not 50 happen at the
time that Providence favored those who
,sported the heaviest artillery. On the
contrary, the teacher. pounced upon the
young cannonier, dragged him from his
seat. and Joseph was soon sepai ated from
his brethren, and placed in durance vile,
and must say that was no great pun>
isbment. He was up into close cock
loft. where there were sundry old pam
phlets, letters, manuscripts; he was
completely sheltered from the eyes OF the
master, and could amuse himself in any
way he thought proper. He opened the
fcuttle without difficulty, and let in the
pleasant beams OF summer afternoon,
while the aperture was 10 low that when
he stood upright his head and shoulders
were above the roof. Joseph amused
himself by rolling little paper balls down
the slated Tool, for while, snd then he
paused to examine the various object,
which came within range of his vision
The school houss stood on the brow o.
hill, and the view from the open scuttlt
was extensive. Tie top-mssts of the
vessels lying about the wharves about
Bristol haIbor-for there were no steam
ferries then--were distinctly visible
Sailors could be seen at work on the rig
ging, On the yards, or engaged in scrapiDe
down the tsp-masts and top-gallsnts
The masts Of q large brig, which seemet
very near, engsged his attention; but ht
had not looked vt them long before ht
was summoned 10 descend from his lofty
quarters, as the teacher was about tt
oismiss the school. When he came down
into the school-room he was observed tc
be very pale and be trembled excessive.
ly. | car well remember how he looked
the psllor OF his cheeks, and the wild,
ness in his eyes. Some OF the boys said
he wss scared, and ore or two called him
coward. When Joseph arrived neal
man 8 estate he took fancy to 60 to sea
He made a voyage to India in ship be
longing to o firm much celebrated In
those days. Our hero appears to have
been followed by his usual bad fortune =
that OF giving offense to his superiors
They had not yet reached the Cape ol
Good Hope when Joseph was condemned
bto be hogsed before all hands. He had
given mortal ofIense 10 the first mate oi
the ship, who insisted that 1t would be
impossible for him to preserve discipline
among The crew II young Bolton was no.
punished. " t''fr.' .r4
Bolton was rather favorite of the
captain, but he could not resist the
impetuous vengeance Of the mate, and
be gave orders accordingly that the
youth should be seized up in the rigging
The crew were assembled TO witness the
punishment, the younger portion look
ing on with curiosity, aud The Old sailors
hanging back and scowling at the pre-.
parations. Everything being prepared,
the mate drew resr, fJurishing the
scourge in bis hand, when the youth
begged leave TO whisper something IN his
private ear. ..s.. .l ,,.
ats no use," returned the tfFicer
"ips too late tob,g now; you ye got to
take IL :"
He drew back, and was about TO give
the first blow, when Bolton said aloud
at you won't hear me pivateiy,
shall speak before all these people"
The male paused and said: v...
What II you do What then 2.
"You wore a re jacket once" cried
the youth. '' =
The mate approached Rolton, and the
latter whispered few words in his ear,
The mate became deadly pale. .aT.
What does he ssy9" demanded the
captain, who bad appeared to bo singu'
larly interested by the turn which aiiairi
had taken. .....,i. .......
"It's only some of his nonsense :
returned the mate, "but 1 suppose
must let him off this time, an he ha,
made an explanation" trA
"Well, well-what explanation r' de
manded the captain.
He says that when he sauced me, II
the morning watch, he mistook me for
Ben Lowell; and now l recollect that b.
did call me Ben,' though l was 40 angry
that 1t had slipped my memory"
The old tars did not accept this expla
nation, Rnd when yoseph met them q
supper, they asked him whether th,
mate had reported his words correctly
The youth colored, thrust out his lowe
lip, and ended by lifting his tin cup to hi
countensnoe. go other reply could b
got out OF him. From that tims forwsr,
| It was obseryed that the FIRST mate treate,
young Bolton with much kindness. H
seemed to have forgotten entirely ths
lhe youth hai formerly Offended hlq