The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-26


out like strands of rope yarn.
GLOW the" began Rick, but his
voice was smothered in roar from the
skipper, who had at that moment stuck
his head up the companion way.
LAY aft, and pipe all hands on dec
Why didn't you call me sooner?
Here's a four-knot breeze a-blowin'
and we've got our mud-hoohS in.
Come, now, stir yourselfr'
Then he espied Davy, who had arisen
and was approaching.
holy sailor! where in the dickens
did YOU drop FROM
Il COON fra the bluffs, sir"
The Captain looked forward over the
rail- The sight of skiff, clumsily
made fast to the bobstay, checked the
question arising to his lips as to the
manner of his coming.
swell, what do you want? What did
you come aboard for?"
II want =" began Davy.
"Get up the anchor, Mr.. Tatman,
and crack on all the canvas she's got.
Course S. w. by wa little W."
Il wud wish =" began Davy again.
"Now, you-what did you board us
for" again broke in the. Captain, ap-
parently for nothing else but the salts
faction of interrupting him.
''Do YOU want to hire han'?'' said
he, desperately, with a shade of annoy
ance on his cOuntenance.
'No l don't-what can you do? Can
you cook. You're no seaman you re
a boy. You can't cook. Your STUN
mick's in your shirt sleeves already.
What's the matter? Ager? Broke?
Don't want any walkin' funeral with
me! l want a cook. Don't want any
longshore lubber. Come, pull ashore in
that coffin of yours. Don't you see
we're maxim sail. Over the rail with
you The Captain jerked this forth
without break, deity inserting an
oath here and there at the hint of a
pause, thus keeping up an even flow OF
verbiage.
Disregarding the buster Davy came
to the point with: "YeS'r, | can cook.
| was COOK in lumber camp. VIII
you try me?'
''Get aft and pipe to mess in thirty
minutes, you oakum-headed son of a
molling-rdbber! Lively now"
Taking that as an engagement he
dove down the companion way. In a
few moments smoke began to pour out
of stub of Il stovepipe chimney on the
deck of the galley which adjoined the
cabin. Then perspiring head ap-
peared.
Hi Captain! Whereabouts do We
keep the diShes?'
The answer can only be fifty REF re-
sented in polite circles by a string of
blanks. The question had aroused IN
pleasant thoughts.
How he struggled in the hot little
den to give satisfaction; how he
sweated and worked, burning his hands
and scalding his awkward arms; how
he gave us food, burnt and raw in turn,
which was only a shade better than no
food at all; how in heavy weather he
was obliged to cook with his stomach
in state of dire mutiny, The smell of
bilge water aud cookery cOmmingled
making him deathly seasick and per-
fectly CHASTITY to look upon; how with
all his nausea he was compelled to sit
over the rank smelling and blistering
stove, holding the pots and kettles to
keep them on en- even keel as each sea
struck the scOw: how his attempts to
wait on the table too frequently re
suited in SOUP baths and ignominy; how
he stood up under the Captains ''dis:i-
pine" and our ieers, all forms a simple
record of heroism beside which deeds
of valor on the battlefield would sink
into inSiguiticance.
We noticed one popularity; in port
he stayed below. ont of sight. and was
uneasy when strangers came
aboard. Outside it was not so, and it
seemed that he always breathed easier
when as outward bound we cast off the
the towline.
That cusS has did something. He's
said Rick, one day.
But the season was fast wearing
away and nothin of Il startling nature
had tranSpired. Day, though he was
vet called stewart finally acquired
his sea legs and his color became bette
but his spirits did not improve. He
chummed with no one. A man must
be unsocial, indeed, who under such
does not bear his share
of the burden of working off the tedium
of calm or help while away the long
hours of a watch witha softly told yarn.
But his gloom and dependency became
settled; neither the mems Jokes nor the
Captains delicate attentions seemed to
arouse him.
"Sav, stewart, who are you hiding
FROM asked Rick. one day, in 4 ban
tering tone.
Davy looked at him. No word was
spoken. The threat, however, of a
desperate man brought to bay was in
that look. Rick stood cycling him and
very foolish. At length he
passed below, and as he moved off
Rick. feeling he was called upon to say
sang out: Come, stewart,
don't 90 off mad"
After that there was no more trihing
with Davy's secret.
A little later. while we were taking
in a cargo of oats at Milwaukee, a
of wharf rats pushed poor,
homeless dog into the river. 1t swan
in little circle, looking up with mute,
pleading eyes, and piteous yelpS for
help. Its assailants dropped bricks on
its head. and one got sharp stick to
harpoon the poor beast, and thus speed
its death. This was observed By our
cook, who was in the midst of the
crowd with bound. The brutal men
scattered. He made line fast to
pile, jumped in, rove the other end
around the dog, clambered out, and
hauled the dripping animal after him.
The hoodlumS gathered around. highly
amused at the performance. One tall
man insolently grabbed the dog to
throw him back. In an instant DAVIS
fingers clutched his throat, and in an
other he was IN the river. choking and