The Iola register., 1886-11-05

main-dcck in q most surly fashion
Duckling eyed them like q mastiff
cat noticed some smart-lookin,
hands among them. but they all to
man put on lubberly air; and rs the,
hauled upon the various ropes,
heard them putting all manner o
coarse, violent expressions, havin.
reference to the ship and her officers
into their songs.
They went up aloft slowly and lait
out along the yard, grumbling furi
ously. And 20 show what bad sailor
they were. l suppose. they slowed tn,
sail villainously, making bunt tina
must have blown out to the first capfu
of wind.
Meanwhile, Duckling waited unit
the men were off the yard and descend
ing the rigging; he then roared out
'.Furl the mainsail!'
The men stopped coming down, and
looked at the yard and then at Duck.
ling; and one of them said, in q suller
tone: ut is furled."
1 was amazed to see Duckling hor
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 clcnched. 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 oil the yardarm gaskcts. l
don't think half n dozen men could
have loosed the sail in the time taken
by him to do so. Down it fell, and
down he came, handover fist. bounded
up the poop-ladder, and without loss
of breath, reared out:
'Furl the main-sail!
The men seemed inclined to disobav;
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
a nod and smile.
The pilot now told me to go forward
and see every thing ready Ior bringing
up.
The royals and top-gallant sails were
clewed up and furled, and then the or
der was given to let go the top-sail
halliar,ls. Down came the three heavy
yards rumbling along the masts, with
the sound of chain rattling over
shcaves. The canvas fell into fcstoons,
and the pilot called:
"Ail ready forrard?" "All ready"
''Let 20 the anchor!'
"Stand clear of the cablc.' shouted.
Whack! whack! went the carpenter s
drlving-hammer. A moments pause,
then a tremendous splash, and the ca
BILE rushed with hoarse outcry through
the hawser-hOle.
When this job was over 1 waited on
the fOre-castle to superintend the stow
ing of the sails forward. The men
worked briskly enough. and heard one
of them who was slowing the fOrc-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
could be; but l thought it
best TO take no notice. nor repeat what l
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
he sails were furlcd, and the decks
cleared of the ropes. The hands went
below to tea, and l 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
ne a bit of the ships biscuit 1 smclled
t and found it moldy. and put piece
N my mouth, but soon spit it out
81 can't say much for this, cook"
said l.
Its not fit for dogs" replied the
,ooS. '.But SO far as I've seen, all the
is the same. The sugars
ike mud and the molasses is full of
yrit: and though l have been to sea.
Ian duu boN, tNo-'Ilu-t"tGtN NcstTs l.
never saw tea like what they've got OH
BOARD this ship. 1t amt tea-it makes
he liquor yaller. It's shavings, and
vot | say is. regular tea amt shaw
ngs."
We'll, let the men complain to the
'aptain," answered. .'He can re-
bort to the owners. and get the ships
torres condemned.
''Its my belief they wos condemned
Iforc they came on board" answered
he cook. I'll bet any man 4 weeks
.rog that they wos bought cheap in
lock-yard sale O rotten grub by order
} the Admiralty"
''Give me a biscuit" said ], land I'll
how it to the captain.
He took one out from drawer in
which he kept the dough for the
uddy's use. and l put it in my pocket
md wen: aft.