Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-06-04
CAPTAIN JOHNNY.

Bath side or the henneDec hlVer. oDe
expected to sail on the following MORN
ing for Savannah, at which port she
was to load with cotton for Liverpool,
England.
Captain John Sears, part owner of
the TEXAS, was her commander, but in
the eyes of his son Johnny, aged twelve.
this fact was not Of nearly so much i'm
portance as that he, Johnny Sears, was
to accompany his father on the ship
voyage in question.
The Captain was sitting or the quar-
ter-deck enjoying his after-supper cigar.
Johnny was restlessly roaming up and
down in a fever of excitement, his
sharp eyes taking in everything of in
terest about the ship. Following close
ly at his heels was handsome English
mastiff, which stood very nearly three
feet high, with tawny hair, a broad
chest and handsome head. A friend to
be desired was Jack, the mastiff, but
terrible foe. Jack was pup when CIV
en- to Captain Sears. 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 mas
tiff Jack and the boy Johnny were great
friends.
"If the crew do come in the morning
boat, doubt if we get away to-mOr-
row." remarked Captain Sears, half
aloud, breaking silence of some min
utes' duration.
Johnny dropped the spokes of the big
wheel with which in imagination he had
been steering the ship before heavy
gale of wind.
why not, father?" he asked, with a
distressed face.
Barometer falling, and the equinoc-
tial close at hand" was .he brief reply,
as, knocking the ashes from his cigar,
Captain Sears glanced do1btfully at the
setting sun, which was half hidden by
a bank of dun-colored 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:
PORTLAND, OCTOBER 10, 1S7-.
"I'rouble about crew. Come on at
once in $50 train. j. JENKINsoN."
"And it's twenty minutes past five
now," said the Captain, rather Grossly,
as he ierked out his watch, for he by no
means liked the idea Of leaving the ship
that night. Both his officers were
ashore, as also were the cook and stew
ard. All of them had families in the
vicinity, with whom they were spend
ing this their last night before calling.
"Well, there's no help for it," finally
remarked the Captain, with a sigh, as,
slipping into the cabin, he hastily
changed his coat and brushed his hair,
$50, Johnny, you must look out for the
ship little while. III call at Horizons
on my way to the depot, and have them
send down night-watchman right
away. Until the watchman comes
down, don't let any stranger aboard. l
shall probably be home in the morning
boat. Goodnight" And swinging
himself on to the wharf, Captain Sears
rapidly made his way uptown. while
Johnny, with rather disappointed
look, began to pace the main-deck in
true nautical style.
A repulsive-looking man who bore
t. marks of a tramp-and a sailor
tramp at that-rose up from behind a
lumber pile near the edge of the wharf,
and shook his clinched left fist in the
direction taken by Captain Sears. His
left fist, for the reason that his right
arm was missing just above the elbow.
81 thought it were you, Cap'n Sears,
when heard your voice whilst was
layin' round here Yesterday" lie growl-
ed savagely. Then, turning, he looked
thoughtfully up at the ships side.
"Nobody in sight," he muttered, "the
watchman not like to get here for good
half-hour at best, and only slip Of
boy aboard, while like as no. old Sears
has left some money or wallyables layin'
round his state-room TO be bad jest for
the takin' of 'em. It's wuth runnin'
Bit of resk for, anyway" And with
another glance up the deserted wharf,
the tramp began climbing the side lad
der, using the stump of his left arm
" ith considerable skill to help him in
his ascent.
Hearing the steps, Johnny turned to-
ward the gangway. A greasy slouch
hat, whose tattered brim partly shaded
the wicked-looking face of its owner,
met his gaze.
"oh, look here now, say, we don't
allow any strangers aboard" said john
ny, with a very decided shake of the
head, as he stopped short in his walk.
you'll low the watchman what
Cap'n Sears had sent down from
Hort'ns' aboard, though, won't ye, son-
ny?" was the cool reply. And without
awaiting further remonstrances the in
truder drew himself over the rail and
stepped down on deck.
"wby, yes. 1 suppose so," answered
Johnny, slowly and rather doubtfuliy.
"Do you know my father-Captain
Sears, mean?"
"Oh, yes" returned the man, with
an unpleasant smile. 81 was to sea
with your pa once in the ol' ship Van
guard. 1t was he who cut of this here
arm, OWN to an accident that happened
to me that v'y'ge, he continued, touch
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