The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-05-05
A PEER OF THE REALM.
A Lah-de-dah Sort of a Chan He
Was, but a Thoroughbred for
ALI That.

Il got badly left in forming a hast,
opinion of the lah-de-dah Captain of ar
English lronclad," said Capt. Ormiston Of
the British steamship Effective, now ly,
ing at this port. "During the recent wa,
In Egypt [ took out supplies to Alexan-
dria, and, after discharging received or
| ders TO go to Berwickprrt for charter. ]
knew nothing of the place, and had no
chart OF the north coast aboard the steamer.
| None of the merchant Captains conld SIM
ply me, and | finally concluded to apply
to the Captain of the ironclad Inyjncible
that lay close alongside of us, as a last
chance. pulled up to the gangway. and
was met by one Of tho officers, who said
would have to wait few moments. as the
crew were going to quarters. AS he smoke
the boatsWain's whistle was heard clear
ana sharp, above the hoarse calls of his
mates. Immediately, as if by magic,
yards began to come down and to 90 aloft
the blue jackets rushing to and fro on deck
ana OF sudden, bang! Off went one of
tue elghty-ton guns fit to take your head
on. After the men were 'piped down i
made my way up to the bridge, where 7
found little light haired man trotting un
and down. His hat was cooked roguishly
on the side of his head; he wore long side
whlskers, and an eyeglass dangled from a
gold chain about his neck. AS l ap-
preached he halted suddenly, whirled
about en- one foot, screwed his eyeglasses
into his eye, and, in sweet little piping
voice, said:
My deah fellah, what can aw do faw
you: He cut such figure that I was
tempted to laugh in.his face, but, contrell-
ing myself, [ stated my errand. Immedi-
ately the little man had all the quarter
masters running to find his ub-officers.
and in jiffy they returned, and touching
their caps, they began to report that Mr..
A. was ashore on liberty, Mr. B. had gone
10 cairo, and that Mr.. C. was away in the
nrst cutter-and SO on, He then turned
TO me and rubbing his hands, said; s'My
deah felIah, Rerkwiekport is 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, and touching my hat I was about to 90,
when big, sailor-looking officer appeared
and informedsthe 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
aboard my own ship.
mo doubt you would have agreed with
me that the Captain was no sailor and
fool besides, but you would have been mis-
taken, as | was. The next night the In
yincible went to sea with a man in the
chains heaving the lead. Of q sudden the
breastrap parted and away went the man
overheard. The same little Captain was
on the bridge. Instantly 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 overheard to rescue his man. One
ot his heutenants and quartermaster
Jumped overheard to assist their COM
nander. Instantly all was in an uproar.
ALI hands were on deck. All the boats
were lowered, and the four men in few
minutes were safe on board the Inyinci-
Ole. The leadsman was entangled in the
inc, and would certainly have drowned |
out for the prompt assistance of the Can
ain. In addition, this was the fourth
nan that same officer rescued frcm drown
ng. His crew swore by him. He was a
beer of the realm, and better officer does
lot walk the deck of an English ship to-
lay. No, gentlemen, you can't always
ell the man by the cut of his jib."