The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-06-19

-sidled up 10 me, received him gra-
ciously enough. He profered the omni-
present cigarette, and provided him in
return with something 10 drink. lie
urged me to go down with him and see
the engine room, and after some hesita-
ton did so. You see, It was after din.
ner.
II have pretty much my own way"
he said, boaStingly. "They cannot do
without English engineers. They tried
once, and lost three boats in six months.
In harbor my time Is my own. ! have
seven stokers under me, all Spaniards.
They tried It on with me when I first
came aboard. they didl But the first
that out with his knife to me knocked
on the head with shovel ] have had
none Of their sauce sincel"
"Was he much hurt" I asked. scan.
ming my companion. He was not big.
have said, and he slouched and 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 again-that Is all know"
II suppose your pay Is gOodT" ! sug.
gested, timidly. To confess the truth.
felt myself at disadvantage with him
down there. The flaring lights and deep
shadows, the cranks and pistons whirl.
ing at our elbows. the clank and din.
and the valves that Missed at unexpected
moments, were matters Of every hour to
him-me they imbued with mean de.
sire to propitiate. As my after dinner
easiness abated, regretted that It had
induced me to come down.
He laughed "a short harsh laugh
Pretty fair" he said, "with my oppor.
tunities. Do you see that jacketS'
"Yes."
THAT Is my shore going jacket. that
Is" with wink. "Here, look at i'll"
l complied. It appeared on first
sight to be an ordinary Sailor's pea
coat; but, looking more closely, !
found thai inside were dozens Of tiny
pockets At the mouth Of each pocket II
small hook was fixed to the lining.
They are for Watches" he explained
when he saw that die not comprehend
II get Eve francs over the price for every
one carry ashore to u friend Of mine
duty free, you understand"
nodded to show that l did under.
stand "And which Is your port for
thatY" said, desiring to say something
as | turned to ascend.
He touched mo on the shoulder. and !
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-
picked me before dinner. "At Cartha.
genar' he whispered. bringing his face
still closer to mine; "at Carthngenai
Wait minute, mate; l have told you
something" he went on. hoarsely. II
am not too particular, and, what is
more, am not afraid! Amt you going
to tell me somethingT"
Il have nothing to tell you'll" STAN
mered, staring at him.
"Ain't you going to tell me something,
mater he repeated monotonously. His
voice was low, but 1t seemed to me that
there was a menace in 1t.
II have not an ideS what you mean,
my good fellow" said, and, turning
sway with some abruptness-my eye Lit
upon shovel lying ready to his hand
ran as nimbly as 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 his face. Even as watched
him he rounded his lips to an oath; and
then seemed to hold It over until he
should be better assured Of Its necessity
thought no worse Of him BY reason
Of his revelations. In a country where
the head Of custom house lives as q
prince on the salary Of beggar. SNUG.
Cling Il no sin. But ] was angry with
him, and vexed with myself for the
haste with which | had met his ad.
vances. disliked and dIstrusted him.
Whether he were mad, or took me for
another smuggler - which seemed the
most probable hypothesis-o had con.
ceived some other false idea Of me
whatever the key to the enigma Of his
manner might be, felt sure ! should do
well 10 avoid him.
Like should mate with like, and am
not violent man. should not feel Of
home In q duel, though the part werr
played with the most domestic Of firr
shovels. much less win q horrible thing
out Of q stoke hole.
About half past 10. the San Miguel be
ginning to roll, tooS the hint and went
below. The small salOOn was empty, the
lamp turned down. As ! passed the
stewards pantry looked In and begged
a couple Of biscuits. am q fairly good
sailor, but when things are bad my policy
is comprised In "bprih and biscuits
With this provision as'tinst misfortune,
retired to my cabin. ,uxuriating In the
knowledge that Il was four berth one
and that was its sole occupant.
In truth came near to chucklIng as ]
looked round It. did mt need certain
experience had had Of cabin three feet
six inches wide by six feet three inches
long. shared with q drunken Spaniard,
to lead me to view wit contentment my
present quarters. A lamp In glass case
lighted at once the cabin and the passage
outside, and so gave Insurance that Il
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 cHuch occupied the
side facing me. The sliding door was
supplemented by a curtain. I could
hardly believe that this was all my own
What joy to one who lad known other
things, to arrange this and. stow that,
and fearlessly to place in the rack sponge