The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-05-30
LET GO The ANCHOR.

ing ashore in the manner described
The new ship Texas, all ready for
sea, lay at one of the large wharves on
the Bath side of the Kennebec river.
She expected to sail on the following
morning for Savannah, at which port
she was to load with cotton for Liver
pool, England.
Capt. John Seers, part owner of the
Texas, was her commander, but in the
eyes Of his son Johnny, aged twelve,
this fact was not of nearly so mnch i'm
portance as that he (Johnny Seers) was
to accompany his father in the ship ON
the voyage in question.
The Captain was sitting on deck enjoy.
ing his after-supper cigar. Johnny was
restlessly roaming up and down, in a
fever of excitement, his sharp eyes TAX
ing in everything of interest about the
ship. Following closely at his heels
was handsome English mastiff, which
stood nearly three feet high, tawny hair,
broad chest and handsome head. A
friend to be desired, Jack the mastiff,
but terrible foe. Jack was q pup
when given to Captain Seers. Having
grown to his present estate on ship
board, he might literally have been
called an old sea-dog, and it is needless
Johnny were great friends.
"If the crew do come in the morning
boat, I doubt if we can get away to-
morrow" remarked Captain Seers, half
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 a heavy
gale of wind.
"Why not, father?" lie asked with a
distressed face.
Barometer falling, and the equ,noc-
tial close at hand, was the brief reply,
as, knocking the ashes from his cigar,
Capt. Seers, glanced doubtfully at the
setting sun, which was half hidden by
q bank of dun colored clouds.
Telegram for you, SIR" said boy
who had Just scrambled aboard, and
stood looking about with wide-open
eyes.
Tearing open the yellow envelope,
Capt. Seers read as follows:
Portland, Oct. 18th, 1879.
"Trouble about crew. Come at once
in 5.30 train. j. Jenkinson. I"
"And it is 6. 5.2Onow," said the Captain,
rather Grossly, as he jerked out his
watch, for he by no means liked the idea
of leaving the ship that night. Both
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's no help for it }" finally
remarked the Captain with a sigh, as,
slipping into the cabin, he hastily
changed his coat and brushed his hair,
$50 Johnny, you must look out for the
ship for little while. I'll call at Hor-
toms on my way to the depot and have
them send down q night watchman
right away. Until the watchman comes
down, don't let any stranger come aboard
Ishall probably be home on the morn
ing Goodnight Andswinging
himself on to the wharf, Capt. Seers
rapidly made his way up town, while
Johnny with rather disappointed look,
began to pace the deck in true nautical
style.
A repulsivc looking man, who bore
the marks of tramp--and sailor
tramp at that-rose up from behind q
lumber pile near the edge of the wharf
and shook his left fist in the direction
taken by Capt. Seers. His left fist for
the reason that his right arm was miss
ing just below the elbow.
~ thought it was you, Cap'n Seers,
when 1 heard your voice when was
layin' round here yesterday" lie growled
,savagely. Then turning he looked
thoughtfully up at the ships side.
Nobody in sight" he muttered; /;
"the watchmans not likely to get
here for good half hour at least, and
only slip Of a boy on board, and like
as not old Seers has left some money or
walyables layin'round his state room to
be lad for the takin' of 'em. It's worth
runnin bit of resk for ennyway.
And with another glance up the de-
serted wharf, he began climbing the
side ladder using the stump Of his right
arm with considerable skill to help him.
self in his ascent.
Hearing the steps, Johnny turned
toward the gangway. A greasy slouch
hat, whose tattered brim partly shaded
the weird looking face Of the owner,
met his gaze
"Oh, look here now, I say! we don't
allow any strangers aboard" said
Johnny, with q decided shake of his
head, as he stopped short in his walk.
"Youll let the watchman that Cap'n
Seers has sent down from Horizons
aboard, though, won't you, sonny?" was
the cool reply. And without waiting
further remonstrance, the intruder
drew himself over the rail and down on
deck.
"Why, yes suppose so," answered
Johnny, slowly and rather doubtfully,
"Do You know my father-Captain
Seers, l mean?"
"Why, yes, returned the man with
an unpleasant smile. II was to sea
once with your pa in the old ship Van
guard. 1t was lie that cut off this ERE
arm, OWN to an accident that happened
to me that v'y'ge, he continued, touch
ing the stump with very dirty fore
finger.
AAAo AAVCAOSGCu Nv OuCO, hIu
lie was about asking the particulars,
when rather to his surprise, the sup
posed watchman turned on his heel and
walke1 into the cabin.
Hi say therew cried Johnny rush.
ing after him, "my father don't allow"
But poor Johnny's rpeech was brought
to o sudden end. For as he entered the
cabin he was caught by strong arms
and dragged toward the open door of
the stewards pantry.
"I'm going to put you in solitary con-
finement for while, sonny" grimly
remarked his captor, as johnny vainly
kicked and struggled.
All at once there came to the frigh.
ened boys mind the remembrance of
his powerful friend Jack, whom he had
last seen on the quarter,
"Jack-oh, Jack! come here, come
herel" he cried ct the top Of his voice,
srs was . scufing sound on deck
u though . calf were tumbling
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