Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-26
ADRIFr IN THE RIVER.
HOW JOHNNY SAVED HIS FATHERS SHIP.
A BAIH STORY.
THarper's Young People. !

The new ship Texas, all ready for sea
lay at one Of the large wharves on th,
Bath side of the kennebec river. Sh,
expected to sail on the following morn.
ing for Savannah, at which port she va!
to load with cotton for Liverpool, Eng
land.
Captain John Seers, part owner Of the
Texas, was her commander, but in the
eyes of his son Johnny, aged twelve, thi:
fact was not nearly of so much Importance
as that he Johnny Seers) was to accom-
pany his father in the ship on the voyage
in question.
The captain was sitting on deck en-.
joying his after-supper cigar. Johnny
was restlessly roaming up and down in a
fever of excitement, his sharp eyes taking
in everything Of interest about the ship.
Following closely at his feet was hand
some English mastiff which stood nearly
three feet high, tawny hair, a broad
chest and handsome head. A friend to
be desired, Jack, the mastiff, but a terri
ble foe. Jack was pup when given to
Captain Seers, Having grown to his
present estate on shipboard, he might
literally have been called an old sea-dog,
and it is needless to say that the mastift
Jack and the boy Johnny were great
friends.
If the crew do come in the morning
boat, l doubt if we can get away to-
morrow" remarked Captain Seers, halt
aloud, breaking silence Of some min
utes' duration.
Johnny dropped the spokes of the
wheel with which in imagination he had
been steering the ship before heavy gale
of wind.
"Why not. father,' he asked with a
distressed face.
Barometer falling, ana the equinoc-
tial close at hand" was the brief reply,
as, knocking the ashes from his cigar,
Capt. Seers glanced dOubtfully at the set-
ting sun, which was half hidden by bank
of duncolored clouds.
Telegram for you, sir, said boy,
who had just scrambled aboard the ship,
and stood looking about with wide-open
eyes.
Tearing open the yellow envelope, Cap
tain Seers read as follows
PORTLAND, Oct. 10, 1875.
Trouble about crew. Come at once in
) so train.
j. JENKINsoN.
"And it is 500 now" said the Cap.
tain, rather Grossly. as he jerked out his
watch, for he by no means liked the
idea of leaving the ship that night.
Both of his officers were ashore, as also
were the cook and steward. All of them
had families in the vicinity, with whom
they were spending their last night before
sailing.
"Well, there is no help for it, finally
remarked the Captain, with sigh, as
slipping into cabin, he hastily changed
his coat and brushed his hair, $50 John.
ny, you must look out for the ship for 9
little while. I'll call at Horizons ant
have them send down night watchmar
right away. Until the watchman comes
down, don't let any stranger come aboard
l shall probably be home on the morning
boat. Good night"
And swinging himself on to the wharf
Capt. Seers rapidly made his way u
town, while Johnny, with rather disap
pointed look, began to pace the deck i
true nautical style.
A repulsive looking man who bore th
looks of tramp-and sailor tramp 8
that-rose up from behind lumber pil
near the edge of the wharf and shook h
left fist in the direction taken by Captai
Seers. His left fist, for the reason th
his right arm was missing just below Il
elhow