Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-06-27
A PEER OF THE REALM.
A Lah-de-dah Sort Of Chap He Was,
but Thoroughbred for All That.

81 got badly left in forming hasty
opinion of the lall-tle-dah Captain of an
English iron-ciad,' said Captain Ormis-
ton OF the British steamship Effective.
now lying at this port. During the re-
cent war in Egypt l took out supplies
to Alexandrie, and, after discharging,
received orders to go to Berwickport
for n charter. | knew nothing of the
place, and had no chart of the north
cost aboard the steamer. None of the
merchants Captains could supply me.
and finally concluded to apply to the
Captain of the iron-clad Invincible, that
lay close alongside of us. as last
chance. l Ipulled up TO the gangway,
and was met by one of the officers, who
said would have to wait a few mo-
mente, as the crew were going TO quar-
ters.' AS he spoke the boatswain's
whistle was heard, clear and sharp,
above the hoarse calls of his mates.
Immediately. as if by magic, yards be-
gan TO come down and 60 aloft, the
blue jackets rushing to and fro on deck,
and of II sudden, bang! off went one Of
the S0-ton gums fit to take your head off.
After the men We're 'piped down l made
my way up to the bridge, where | found
a little light-haircd man trotting mp and
down. His hat was cooked rognishly
on the side of his head he wore long
side whiskers, and an eyeglass dangled
from gold chain about his neck. As
approached. he halted suddenly,
whirled about on one foot, screwed his
cyeglass into his eye, and, in sweet
little piping voice, said:
"My dea fellah, what can aw do faw
youa'
''Hc cut such figure that l was
tempted to laugh in his face, but, con-
trolling myself, I stated my errand.
Immediately the little man had all the
quartermasters running to find his sub
officers, and in n jiffy they returned.
and, touching their caps, they began to
report that Mr.. a. was ashore on liber-
ty, Mr.. B. had gone to Cairo, and that
Mr.. G. was away in the first cutter
and so on. He then turned to me and
rubbing his hands said
"My deah fellah, Berwickport is q
very fine place, aw assuah you; you will
find no trouble in getting in; aw was
there once myself.
Thinks /, what an ass this man is.
when big, sailor-looking officer APP
peared and informed the Captain that
there was no chart of the British north
coast aboard the ship. Thanking the
Captain for his trouble, went over the
side and pulled for my own ship.
mo doubt you would have agreed
with me that the Captain was no sailor
and fool besides, but you would nave
been mistaken, as Twas. The next night
the Invincible went to sea with q man
in the chains heaving the lead. OF
sudden the breaststrap parted and away
went the man overheard. The same
little Captain was on the bridge. In
stantly the foppish airs were gone and
the true sailor appeared. Pulling the
bells, he stopped the vessel, and just as
he stood, oilskins and all on, went over.
board to rescue his mai. One of his
lieutenants and n auartermaster Jumi. I'll
overheard to assist their commander.
Instantly all was in an uproar. All
hands were on deck. All the boats were
lowered, and the four men in few
minutes were safe on board the Invinci-
BILE. The leadsman was entangled in
the line, and would certainly have
drowned but for the prompt assistance
of the Captain. In addition, this was
the fourth man that same Lificer had
rescued from drowning. His crew swore
by him. He was a peer of the realm,
and a better officer does not walk the
deck of an English ship to-day. No,
gentlemen, you can't always tell the
man by the cut of his jib. "-Phitadet-
mia Times.