The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-11-04

| Duckling eyed them like a mastif a
cat. / noticed some smart-looking
hands among them, but they all to a
man put on a lubberly air; and as they
| hauled upon the various ropes,
heard them putting all manner OF
coarse, violent expressions, having
reference to the ship and her officers,
into their songs.
They went up aloft slowly and laid
out along the yard, grumbling furi-
ously. And 20 show what bad sailors
they were, l suppose, they slowed the
sail villainously, making bunt that
must have blown out to the first capful
of wind.
Meanwhile, Duckling waited until
the men were off the yard and descend
ing the rigging; he then roared out:
''Furl the mainsaili'
The men stopped coming down, and
looked at the yard and then at Duck
| ling; and one of them said, in a sullen
tone: 1T is furled."
was amazed to see Duckling hop
off the deck on to the poOp-rail and
spring up the rigging; | thought he
was going TO thrash the man who had
answered; and the man evidently
| thought so too, for he turned pale, and
edged sideways along the ratline on
which he stood. while he held one of
his hands clenched. Up went Duck
ling, shaking the shrouds violently
with his ungainly, sprawling way OF
climbing. In moment he had swung
himself upon the fOot-rOpe, and was
casting Off the yardarm gaskets. l
don't think half a dozen men could
have looSed the sail in the time taken
by him TO do so. Down it fell, and
down be came, hand over fist, bounded
up the poop-ladder, and without loss
of breath, reared out:
''Furl the main-sail."
The men seemed inclined to disObey;
some OF them had already reached the
bulwark; but another below, accom-
panied by gesture, appeared to decide
them. They mounted slowly, got up
on the yard, and this time did the job
in sailor-like fashion.
I'm only beginning with thcm," he
said, in his rough voice, to me; and
then glanced at Coxon who gave him
nod and smile.
The pilot now told me to go forward
and see every thing ready lor bringing
up.
The royals and top-gallant sails were
clewed up and furled, and then the or
der was given to let 90 the tOp-sail
halliards. Down came the three heavy
yards rumbling along the masts, with
the sound of chain rafting over
sheaves. The canvas fell into feStoons,
and the pilot called:
"All ready forrard?" "All ready"
LET 90 the anchor!'
"Stand clear of the cablc!" l shouted.
Whack! whack! went the carpenter S
driving A moments pause,
then tremendous splash, and the ca
bic rushed with hoarse cutlery through
the hawser-hole.
When this job was over waited on
the fore-castlc TO superintcnd the stow
ING of the sails forward. The men
worked briskly enough, and | heard one
of them who was slowing the fore-top-
mast stay-sail say: "that 1t was good
luck the skipper had brought up. He
didn't think he'd be such fool.
This set me wondering what their
meaning could be; but [ thought it
best to take no notice, nor repeat what
had heard, rs | considered that the less
Mr.. Duckling had to say to the men
the better we should all get on.
1t was half-past seven by the time
the sails were furlcd, and the decks
cleared of the ropes. The hands went
below to tea, and was walking aft
when the cook came out of the galley,
and said:
BEG your pardon, sir; would you
mind tasting of thiS?" And he handed
me bit of the ships biscuit. L Smelled
it and found it moldy. and put Il piece
in nay mouth, but soon spit it out
Il can't say mucn for this, cook, "
said l.
Its not fit for dogs" replied the
cook. but so far rs I've seen, all the
provisions is the same. The sugar $
like mud and the molasses is full OF
grit; and though l have been to sea,
man and boy, two-and-twehty year,
never saw tea like what they've got on
board this ship. 1t amt tca-it makes
the liquor yaller. It's shayings, and
wot l say is, regular tea amt shay
ings."
"Wcll, let the men complain to the
captain, l answered. He can re-
port to the owners. and get the ship 5
stores condemned.
ITS my belief they wos condemned
aforc they came on board" answered
the cook. I'll bet any man 4 week 5
grog that they woS bought cheap in a
dock-yard sale O rotten grub by order
o the Admiralty"
Give NE biscuit" said Land I'll
show it to the captain.
He took one out from drawer in
which he kept the dough for the
cuddy's use. and put it in my pocket
and went aft.