The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-11-25

ment then entered my mind, and never
afterward quilted it, that perils and
suffering and death were in store fol
us, and that when l had looked on the
English coast last night was uncon-
sciously bidding farewell to scenes ]
should never behold again.
CHAPTER V.
Twas on deck again ateight o'clock.
1t was still blowing a gale, but the
wind had drawn right aft, and
though the top-sails were kept recfed,
Duckling had thought fit to set the
main-top-gallant sail, and the ship was
running bravely.
L reckoned that we had made over
one hundred and thirty knots during
the twelve hours, so that if the gale
lasted we might hope to be clear of the
Sicily Isles by next morning.
They were breakfastmg in the cuddy
and in the forecastle, and l was wait
ing for the skipper to come on deck
that L might 60 below and get some
thing to eat But before he made his
appearance, the COMPOUNDED copper
colored cook, accompanied by couple
of men, came aft.
''Sar," said this worthy, who looked
lovely in a pink-striped shirt and yell
low Overalls, ''me ask you respeckfiy
to speak TO de skipper and tell him bis
cult am mighty bad, sar.
I'm meSsman for the starboard
watch, SIR" exclaimed one of the men,
land the ships company says they
can't get the bread down EN- nohow. $"
"Why do you come TO me?" de-
manded of them, angrily. II have al
ready told you, cook, that L have
nothing to do with the ships stores.
You heard what Captain CoXon said
yesterday"
Cant the steward get up a fresh
bag of bread for breakfast" exclaimed
she third man.
"He's in the cuddy," replied, "ask
him.
They bobbed their heads forward to
see through the cuddy windows, and at
that moment Duckl'ng came on deck
up through the companion.
"You can get your breakfast" said
he to me. ''Ill keep watch until you've
done"
fer-deck complaining of the bread, :"
said l. "Will you speak to them?"
He came forward at once, very brisk
1y. and looked over.
whats the matter?" he called out.
We've come to complain of the
ships bread, SIR" said one of the men,
quite civilly.
mighty bad bread, sar! Me honest
man and speak plain truff," exclaimed
the cook, who possibly thought that his
position privileged him to be both easy
and candid on the subject of eating.
''Get away forwardr' cried Duck
ding, passionately. The breads good
enough. You want to kick up shin
,dy."
The men made a movement, the in
.stinct of obedience responding mechan-
icallv to the command. But the cook
held his ground, and said, shaking his
head and convulsing his face:
Ode bread am poison, sar. All de
fiour's changed into worms. Nebber
see such a ting. 1t get here"-touch-
ing his throat-''and make me-yaw!"
go forward, tell you, you yellow
faced villainr' shouted Duckling,
"D'ye hear what say?'
ibis chile is a cook" began the fell
low; but Duckling sprung off the
poop, and with his clenched fist struck
him full under the jaw; the poor fell
low staggered and whirled round, and
then up went Duckling's foot, and
cook was propelled at a great pace
along the main deck toward the galley
He stopped, put his hand to his jaw,
aud hooked at the palm Of it: rubbed
the part that had been kicked. turned
and held up his cienched fist. and
went into the galley. The other two
men disappeared in she torecastle.
Course your impudencem exclaimed
Duckling, remounting the poop-ladder,
and polishing his knuckles on the sleeve
of his coat. ''Now. Mr.. Royle. get
you down to your breakfast. Iwant
to turn in when you've done
l entered the cuddy, not very greatly
edited by Ducklng' way of enphasiz-
ing his orders, and made bow to the
captain, who was still at table. Ha
TO raise his eyes, but for
some minutes afterw ard took no notice
of me whatever. occupying himself
with CHANGING over bundle of slips
which looked ike bill-heads in his hand.
what was going forward on the
main-deck just n6w?" demanded
Coxon, slowing away the papers in his
pocket, and breaking fragments from
a, hreAkfastSron.
/ explained.
s.Ahi' said he; ''they're still st that
Ezme, are theyT'
'.ME. Duckling punched the cook s
head"
81 saw him. sir. Likewise he kicked
kia- Mr. DuckEng knows his duty