Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-28

return with something to drink. He urged mo to go down with him and see the engine room, and after some hesita- ticn did so. You see, it was after din- ner.
 II have pretty much my own way" he said. hoastingly. "They cannot do without English engineers. They tried once, and lost three boats in six months. In harbor my time is my own. I have seven stohcrs under me. all Spaniards. They tried it on with me when l first came aboard, they did! But the first that Gut with his knife to me knocked on the head with shovel. I have had mono of their sauce since!
 Was he much hurt:' I asked scan ming my companion. He was not big, have said, and he slouchedand shambled. But with all this there was an air of staggering dare devilry about him that gave color to his story
 II don't know," he answered. "They took him to the hospital; he never came aboard aCain-that is all I know' Il suppose your pay is good?" sug- gested. unidly. To confess the truth, felt myself at q disadvantage with him down there. The tlaring lights and deep shadows, the cranks and pistons whirl- ing at our elbows, the clanll and din, | and the valves that hissed at unexpected moments, were matters of every hour to him-me they imbued with mean de- sire to propitiate. As my after dinner easiness abatcd, regretted that it had induced me to come down.
 He laughcd-a a short harsh laugh Pretty fair" he said, with my oppor- tunities. Do you sec that jacket:?' "Ics."
 That is my shore going jacket, that is," with a wink. Here, look at it!''
 l complied. It appeared on first sight to be an ordinary sailors pea coat; but, looking moro closely, I found that inside were dozens of tiny pockets. At the mouth of each pocket a small hook was fixed to the lining.
 "They are for watches" he explained, when he saw that did not comprehend: : Il get five francs over the price for every ono carry ashore to a friend of mine duty free, you understand"
 nodded to show that I did under stand. And which is your port for that?' I said, desiring to say something as turned to ascend.
 He touched me on the shoulder. and I found his face close to mine His eyes were glittering in the light of the lamp that hung by the steam gauge, with the same expression in them that had so per piexed me before dinner At Cartha- gena!" he whispered, bringing his face still closer to mine; ''at Carthagena. Wait a minute, mate; 1 have told you something," he went on, hoarsely. II am not too particular, and, what is more, am not afraid Aint you going to tell mo something?"
 Il have nothing to tell you!" I stam- mered, staring at him.
 ''Ain't you going to tell mo something, mate:' he repeated monotonously. His voice was low, but it seemed to me that there was a menace in it.
 II have not an idea what you mean my good fellow," 1 said, and, turning away with some abruptness-my eye lit upon a shovel lying ready to his hand l ran as nimbly as I could up the steep ladder, and gained the deck. Once there l paused and looked. down. He was still standing by the lamp, staring up at me, doubt and chagrin plainly written on hi; face. Even as 1 watched him he rounded his lips to an oath; and then seemed to hold it over until he should be better assured of it's necessity thought no worse of him by reason Of his revelations. In country where the head of {; custom house lives as a prince on the salary of a beggar, snug glinG is no sin. But I was angry with hin, and vn>-aI xyiih f,, haste with which 1 had met his ad- vances. 1 disliked and distrusted him. Whether he were mad, or took me for another smuggler - which seemed the most probable hypothesis-or had con- ceived some other false idea of me, whatever the key to the enigma of his manner might be, felt sure should do we'll to avoid hip.
 Like should mate with like, and I am not a violent man. 1 should not feel at home in a duel, though tho part were played with the most domestic of fire shovels, much less with horrible thing out of stoke hole.
 About half past 10, the San Miguel be- ginning to roll, took the hint and went below. The small saloon was empty, the lamp turned down. As I passed the stewards pantry I looked in and begged couple of biscuits. am a fairly good sailor, but when things are bad my policy is comprised in 'berth and biscuits" With this provision against misfortune, I retired to my cabin, luxuriating in the knowledge that it was four berth one, and that I was its sole occupant. In truth I came near to chuckling as I looked round it. I did not need a certain experience I had had of a cabin three feet six inches wide by six feet three inches long, shared with a drunken Spaniard, to lead me to view with contentment my present quarters. A lamp in glass case lighted at once the cabin and the passage outside, and so gave assurance that it would burn all night. On my right hand were an upper and lower berth, and on my left the same, with ample standing room between. A couch occupied the side facing me. The sliding door was supplemented by curtain. I could hardly believe that this was all my own. What joy to one who had known other thinrS to arrange this md stoxy tb,t