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

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toys, hardware, Birmingham and Shelf
field cutlery, and metal goods. and 3
stock of pisno-fortes. The ship to my
thinking, was too deep, as though the
owners had compensated themselves
for the want of passenger-money by
taking it OUT in freight readily
] foresaw that we should be a wet ship,
and that we should labor more than
was comfortable in heavy sea. The
steerage was packed with light good,
bird cages, and such things-but
space was left in the 'tween-decks
! though the cargo came flush with the
deck in the hold.
However, in spite of being over
loaded, the Grosvenor had beaten
every thing coming down the river
that day.
came aft, as have said, after leav-
ing the cook. and finding that the skip
per had gone below with the pilot, ]
went down the companion ladder to
the cuddy. followed by Duckling. 1t
was dusk in the cabin and the lamps
were lit, although it was still daylight
upon the sea. The skipper sat near
the mizzen mast stirring the sugar in a
cup of tea. The coarse little pilot was
eating bread and butter voraciously,
his great whiskers moving as he
worked his jaws.
Duckling and l seated ourselves at
the table. There's breeze coming
up from the SOU west, SIR" said he to
the captain, "but | don't think there 5
enough of it to swing the ship"
LET it come favorable. and well
get under way at once" answered
Coxon. "Mr ROyle, what's going
forward among the men? heard
them cursing pretty freely when they
were up aloft."
They are complaining of the ships
provisions, SIR replied. The cook
gave me a biscuit just now, and ]
promised to show it to YOU"
Saying which l pulled the biscuit
out OF my pocket and put it upon the
table. He contracted his bushv eye
brows, and, without looking at the bis
cult, stared angrily at me.
"Hark you, Mr.. Royle!' said he, in
voice l found detestable for the
sneering contempt it conveyed. -
/
become confidant of my crew. Dc
/ YOU understa'
! flushed up rs answered that was
no coniidant of the crew; that the cook
had stopped me 30 explain the mems
! grievance, and that / had asked him
for biscuit to show the captain as j
sample of the ships bread which the
! steward was serving out
Its very good bread" said the OBJ
sequious pilot, taking up the biscuit
while he wiped the butter out of the
corners of his mouth.
Eat it them" l exclaimed.
At this Coxon flew into rage. Eat
it YOURSELF" he cried with a violent
oath. You're used to that kind Of
fare, ] should think, and like it, or you
wouldn't be bringing it into the cuddy
in your pocket, would you, sir?"
made him no answer l saw that
Duckling sided with the captain and
thought it would be 4 bad look out fol
ME to begin the voyage with quarrel.
III trouble you to return that bis
, cult to the blackguard who gave it te
YOU, and tell him TO present Captain
| Cox0n's respects to the men and tel
| them if they object to the ships bread,
they're welcome to take their meals
with the pigs in the long boat. y
made what dispatch l might with
my tea, not much desiring to TO
main in company with COXOn in his
present temper. | fancy he grew q
/ little ashamed of himself presently, fol
/ he softened his voice and now and
again glanced across at me.
As soon as possible | quilted the
table, giving CoXon a bow is | arose,
which he returned with sort of halt
ashamed stiffness. and repaired to my
cabin to Get my pipe for Il half hour ;
enjoyment on dccA Having procured
and lit il l stepped on the forecastle tC
see that the lamps were all right and
/ that there was a man on the lookout.
j The crew were in the forecastle, talk,
| ing III subdued voices and the hot all
! that came up through the scuttle was
! intolerable as | passed it. | then re-
! gained the poop, and seated myself
upon the rail leading from the main
royal and tOp-gallant masts.
The sun had gone down now. and
only faint traces of daylight remained
| in the westward.
The inmates of the cuddy still kept
+ their seats and their voices came out
through the open sky-lights. heard
| Captain CoXon say:
4 should like to know what sort OF
a fellow theY have given me for a see
ond mate. He strikes me as coming
the gentleman trifle, don't he, Duck.
ling?"
To which the other replied: "HC
seems a ciyil-spoken Young man, and
up to his work. But l guess there's toe
much molasSeS mixed with his blood tC
! suit my book"
The pilot laughed. and said: Here
your health, sir. Men of your kind are
wanted nowadays, sir.
1t was plain from this speech that
the pilot had exchanged his tea for
something stronger The captain here
/ began to speak, but couldn't catch
his words, though / strained my ears,
as l was anxious 10 gain all the i'll
! sight | could into his character, that
might know how to shape my beha-
vior.
say this for very weighty reason
i was entirely dependent on the pro-
fession I had adopted. / knew it was
in the power of any captain | sailed
with to injure me, and perhaps ruin
my prospects. Every thing in seafar-
ing life depends upon reports and tes-
timonials; and in these days, when de-
mand for officers is utterly disprOpOr-
tiOnate to the immense supply, owner:
are only too willing to listen to Obiec-
tons, and take any shippers word rs
an excuse to decline your services or get
rid OF You.
Neither the Captain nor Mr.. Duckling
anDeared on deck aoain. The milo;