The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-01-22
THE SCUTTLED SHIP.

with plenty of storage room and had ac-
commodation for two passengers.
The crew consisted OF the captain,
mate, four sailors, a black cook and a
cabin boy.
Captain Payson was conscientious,
just man, who treated his crew neither
to jokes nor grog, but who lodged and
fed them better than would five out of
six of the masters sailing from New Eng
land ports.
"Old Job, the mate, who was from
the west, used to say, he was "a hard
man but one you could tie to, in fair
weather or foul
His crew were picked men, and, with
the exception of Dan, the cabin boy, had
been with him for years. This was
Dams first voyage, and he felt that the
captain and crew eyed him with suspic-
ion. He was on probation, and he felt
that not grain of favor would be allow
ed him.
Dan was farm boy, and knew moth
ing OF the world beyond the village in
which was his mothers church. Ship
board, the sea, Europe, Turkey, here
were bewildering ideas to burst at once
on his narrow experience, scarcely wider
than that of the house dog sleeping at
the barn door.
keep your eyes open and your hands
ready to see the work of the moment and
do it before the moment is over" was
his mothers last advice. "For the rest,
Daniel, ask the Lords help. You'll find
Him just as near to you in Turkey as in
your own home here"
Dan, in the hurry and excitement of
getting under way, and of his new duties
repeated this advice over and over to
himself. 1t seemed to keep his mother
near him. Several days after, while he
was carrying the dinner dishes into the
cabin, he overheard the mate say
"That boy is clipper enough for raw
hand, captain g.
"Aye," grunted Captain Payson, turns
ont better than l expected, l took him
for his mothers sake. Widow. Old
friend of mine.'
''Rather gentlemanIy fellow, this pas
senger2" ventured the mate, finding
Captain Payson in an unusually talka-
tive mood.
| &c Of hn
FarnnlIs of Springfield. III health.
Doctor prescribed long sea voyage. A
gentleman and @ scholar, Mr.. Briggs y
Dan, while waiting on the table at
dinner could not help noticing the pas
senger. "Some of these days." thought
the true born Yankee lad, 81 too, shall
be a gentleman and scholar.
Doctor Farnall was tall, lean man,
carefully dressed, with sandy hair and
mustache, but with eyebrows and iashes
almost white. His eyes too, were large
and pale. They never met the eyes of
any other man fairly. Once, when Dan
happened to look at him he turned quick
ly away, and he glanced furtively and
suspiciously at the boy, at times during
the rest of the meal.
"Don't like him" thought Dan, "looks
sneaking tricky. and not like a gentle
man."
But Dan of course kept his opinion to
himself. Even Job the cook, snubbed
the ''raw hand" and tolerated no re-
marks from him.
Fortunately the lad was not seasick.
He learned his new duties quickly; was
alert neat and always good natured. In
the course of one week, Captain Payson
had twice grumbled approval.
Dan worked harder than ever, and be-
tween times. for recreation, when the
passenger was on deck he watched him.
Doctor Farnell talked huently and
brilliantly, as even Dams uncultured
mind could perceive. But his talk was
leveled far above the heads of either the
captain or Mr.. Briggs, who listened with
half comprehending admiration.
But there were days when the doctor
was absolutely silent, ate nothing. and
paced the deck wrapped in a profound
gloom, his light eyes darting suspicious
glances from side to side.
On one of these days Dan going down
just at twilight to find something he had
left III his bunk, saw tall figure which
he could not recognize, with candle
cropping about among the chests of the
sailors.
"Who's there2" he shouted.
The man came quickly toward him.
The candle threw yellow glare over his
set face and glaring eyes. 1t was the
passenger. He caught Dan by the
sleeve.
"Here, boy-what do they call you?'
sDan."
You're surprised to see me here,
Dan ?" with guilty laugh. 'Took me
for ghost eh2"
81 beg your pardon, sir: 1 oughtn't to
have called to you. But it took me
aback. sir"
Naturally, you need not be surprised
at seeing me in any part of the vessel.
I'm Studying its construction as scien-
tific man. Captain Payson has been
good enough to give me admittance to
all parts of the vessel. You needn't
shout In that disagreeable way again. 1t
startles a nervous man." and with va
que smile he blew out the candle and
went out upon deck, leaving Dan staring
after him.
ITS not all right; or why should he
being a gentleman, make such a long
winding explanation to me, being the
cabin boyf" said Dan at last shaking
his head.
: That night, Captain Payson was alone