The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-28
The Man-o'-War's Man.
From The NelC York Post.

flying, and the smoke slowly drifting to
leeward from the last gun fired in defer
ence to the Dutch flag. A young officer
came up from the cabin in full uniform,
stepped into a boat, which had been lowered,
and was rowed ashore. A glance at his
face was enough to reveal his character
reckless and generous, yet strongly passion
ate at times. He was a handsome fellow,
and had nobly earned his promotion to his
present rank in the United States navy
that of first lieutenant.
He sat in the stern sheets, Just behind the
coxswain, who was directing the motions of
the rowers, and, at the same time. steering
the boat-a dark-faced, saturnine man,
with deep-set eyes and face deeply pitted
by the smallpox. He never turned his
head to look at the officer and there was a
lurking devil in his eyes as he watched the
jetty which they were so fast nearing.
"Way enough" he said Ready there,
bow; oars stand by with the boat hook"
The man in the bow struck his hook into
the steps of the jetty, and laid the boat
alongside so that Robert Stanley could step
out
Leave one man inthe boat and the rest
of you can stroll about the lower town for
an hour You must be careful not to drink,
Phil"
The coxswain, to whom the last speech
was addressed, touched his hat"
IAN right, sir. You've no need to tell
me that, for it will be a long day before
Phil Adams touches drink again. 1 got a
lesson the last time | won't forget soon."
''You forced me to do it, Phil"
AYE, aye, sir but it was the drink that
was to blame, not Phil Adams Phil Adams
sober is good sailor, if | do say it, as any
man on board the America, but Phil Adams
drunk is another matter. I'll never drink
liquor again sir"
l. a. f.
months before, when lying at Calcutta this
man, when in furious debauch, had commit
ted such excuses that he had forced the
officers to punish him with the cat. Since
that time change had come over Phil
Adams. He had been jolly fellow, the life
and soul of the forecastle, and there was
nothing he would not do for his officers.
Now he was a moody, discontinued man,
caring nothing for the society of his mates,
and he had a lurking way with him which
was far from pleasant. He looked after the
retiring form of the lieutenant with a
strange smile as he walked up the jetty.
''You amt the same man you were be-
fore we went into Calcutta, Phil, said one
of them.
MAN" Kissed Adams, 81 am not man,
since l have been dashed liked a hound and
have struck no blow for vengeance sake
See here, Forbes, came of as good blood
and as old as that young upstart who just
reminded me of the laShing | got by his
orders. No living man has right to de-
grade free American by blow, even if
he has the misfortune to be a member of
the American navy. And mark me, lads,
the time will come when Lieut.. Robert
Stanley will bitterly repent that he ever
dared to lash me for an act committed
when mad with liquor. Bird, you must
stay with the boat"
The men were loyal to each other, and
the coxswain knew that he could speak
openly before them without any fear of
being betrayed. They walked up the jetJy
to the lower town, and, sailor-like, at once
plunged into place where grog was to be
had. But while the rest drank, Phil Adams
sat at the table, his brows contracted and
his eyes flashing fiercely.
Here, Phil" said one of the men, thrust
ing glass before him, drink and forget
all about it
Phil put the glass back and said not a
word
Drink it," persisted the man. still press
ing 1t upon him, sit will do you good"
"Yo on don't know what you are doing
said the coxswain, hoarsely. IF was to
drink that it would drive me mad"
Yet he looked at it longingly for the man
had natural craving for liquor, and had
restrained himself for six months, and now
he was again tempted.
"Pshaw p the man insisted. you ought
to drink. Hang care, it killed cat. This
is prime stuff.
He waved his glass about close to the face
of the coxswain, and his nostrils caught the
fragrance of the vine. Instantly he snatched
up the glass before him and swallowed it at
a draught The fiery wine ran through his
blood like lightning, and he was changed
man.
"Hurrah" he cried, waving the empty
glass above his head. II drink to the wine
wine, which makes the rich more opulent
and the poor rich beyond compare. 1drink
to the wine Hurrah!"
That's the kind of talk" cried the man
who had filled the glass. Hold up your
glass and let me fill it, and as you drink
give us catch"
Phil Adams drank again, and then trolled
out drinking song which every sailor liked.
The sailors Joined in the jolly chorus as
they had often done before the days when
Phil Adams received his terrible punish
ment at the grating. They were delighted
with the change, for they had always liked
the coxswain. The mad delight of the bon
uirdnt showed in the face of the man who's
had abstained so long.
THAT won't do,n said Forbes. ave
shall oil get drunk and be up at the grating
for it. Heave ahead, lads; let's go back on
the boat"
zone more round" said Phil Adams.
cts so long since I've tasted the juice of
the grape that it is as the life Of my body TO
me- One more-come."
Il tell you it won't do, Phil. You know
what you are when you get too much bal
last in the hold"
But Adams persisted, and they drank
again. After that they had to take him
away almost by main force, and angry at
them for taking him at all. "
Let me alone" he cried, 81 haven't had
any spore in six months, and now you want
to cut me short"
"You had some sport in Calcutta, and
you know what came of it, said one of the
men, incautiously.
Adams turned slowly upon the man who
had spoken, the same terrible light in his
eyes which they had seen when he looked
after the young lieutenant. He did not
speak, but there was something so terrible
in the intensity of his gaze that the man
shuddered.
81 didn't mean to say that, old boy" he
said.
"Youve said it, and that's enough. You
didn't need TO remind me of that disgrace"
The men took their places in the boat
somewhat unsteadiy, but the coxswain re-
manned standing on the jetty, leaning
against the steps He had not spoken
another word since they reached the jetty,
and while he stood there Robert Stanley
came down TO the boat. At glance he