Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-06-04

The new ship 7eroS, all ready for
sea, lay AT one OF the large whsrv~s on
the Bath side Of the kcnnsbec River.
She expected to sail on the following
morning for Savannah, at which port
she was to load with cotton, for Liver
pool, Euglsnd .
Captain John Scare, part owner of
the Tsrns, was her commander, out IN
the eve. Of his son Johnny, aged
twelve, this fact Was not Of nearly
so much importance as that he, John
nv Sears. was 10 accompany his father
in the ship on the voyage in question.
The Captain was sitting on the
quarterback enjoying his after supper
cigar. Johnny Was restless Y roamln e
up and down in fever of excitement,
his sharp eyes taking in everything OF
interest about the ship. Following
= lcssly-.' his hesls VAS q handsome
English mastif. which stood very
nearly three feet high, With tawny
I hair. a broad chest and handsome
head. \ friend 20 be desired was
Jack, the masllf, but n terrible foe.
+ Having grown to his present estate on
shipboard, he might literally BE- called
an old sea dog, and It Is needless to
say that the mastif Jack and the boy
! Johuuy we're great friends.
! "lf the crew ITO come in the morn.
ing beat. doubt If we get away to
morrow remarked Captain Sears
half aloud, breaking : silence Of SONS
minutes duration.
Johnny dropped the srokes of the
, big wheel with which in his imagins
7 ton he bad ben steering the ship be,
fore heavy gale of wind.
why not. father he asked. with
a distressed face.
barometer falling. and the equl.
noctisl close n hand. Was the brlei
reply, as, knocking the ashes from hi'
cigar, t-ptaIn Sears glanced doubt
fully at the setting sun, which was
half hidden by bank of dun. colorsd
clouds.
Telegram for you, sir, said small
boy, who had just scrambled aboard
and stood looking about him with
wide open eyes.
Tearing open the yellow envelope
! Captain Sears read aloud as follows:
| "PoRrLAxp. October 10, lS7-.
! Trouble about crew. Come on at once IL
5 80 ,rsin. ~ JnKISsoN.
"And it's twenty minutes past five
now" said the Captain, rather Grossly
as he jerked out his watch, for be b,
no means liked the idea Of leaving tn,
ship that night Both MS officers
were ashore, as also were the cook ant
steward All Of them had families il
the vicinity. with whom they wer,
spending their last night before sail
ing.
well, there's no help for it," final
" remarked the Captain, with a sigh
as, slipping into the cabin, he hastily
changed his coat and brushed biz
hair, so, Johnny, you must look ou
for the ship little while. I'll call a
Horizons on my way to the depot, anC
have them send down night watch
man right away. Until the watchmar
comes down, don't let any stranger a
board. shall probably be home il
the morning boat. Good night.
And swinging himself on to the wharf
Captain Sears rapidly made his way
up town, while Johnny, with rather
disappointed look, began to pace the
main deck in true nautical style.
A repuIsive looking man who bore
the marks of a tramp--snd a sailor
tramp at that-rose up from behind !
lumber pile near the edge of the wharf
and shook his clenched left fist in the
direction taken by Captain Sears. llis
left fist, Tor the reason that his righ
arm was missing just above the elbow
Il thought it were you, Cap'n Sears
when heard your voice whilst | wa'
Iayin' round here yistirday," he growl
ed, savagely. Then, turning, he look
ed thoughtfully at the ships side
Nobody in sight" he muttered, "th'
!. watchman not likely to get here for ;
good half hour at best. and only 1
slip of boy aboard, while like as no
old Sears has left some money or wal
lyables layin' round his state room t.
be had jest for the takin' of 'em. It.
wuth runnin' bit of resk for, any
way" And with another glance VI
the deserted wharf, the tramp begal
iol;o,bi tho ci1a lal6or usinn th