The Opelousas courier., 1891-09-26
ready thought himself a parsonage Of

DUou lHt sup DeSdu " HoNO GloWlJ
and majestically away from the wharf,
and, as one after another Of her snowy
sails were spread, she bent gracefully
to the breeze, and seemed to fly away
from the land. until in a short time
nothing could be seen but the sea, the
sky, and a few birds, which cireled
above sthe tapering mast.
Now it was that Reuben felt some
what giddy, and seated himself on the
main hatch, lest he should fall.
Pretty soon a queer-loo king little man
came along the deck, and, pausing&
front of the farmers lad, laughed as he
noted the w~eebegone ex preston Of the
boys face.
"Who are you?" asked the runaway,
t'and why do you make merry at my e 4
pense2'
"My name is Sea-sick," was the reply,
esand / have been sent to wrestle with
you"
sob, go away, please" %groaned
Reuben. "Your presence makes Inc
feel bad"
"Nevertheless, you must have a
friendly bout with me,o answered the
strange, ungainly appearing creature, as
he gras ped the youth about the waist.
and. assisted by a heavy lurch Of the
vessel, rolled him on to the deck.
"Hullo! How nowa" called the
boatswain, as he Jaw his protege lying in
the %lee-scuppcrs. Sup, up, my son.
gou can never be a sailor until you sue
ceed in throwing this chap overheard.
But, hold on, I'll send one Of your ship
mates Il lend you a hand, fer | think it
is high Time that you became acquainted
with him."
The bov was feeling so utterly mis-
cradle in the firm grasp Of his relentless
antagonist, that he could scarcely open
his eyes to see who it was that was going
to assist him in overcoming his enemy.
All at once, with a whack, another
member Of the ships company landed
upon his shoulders.
"What, what" gasped the lad as he
felt the pain, "this is no way to help q
Door fellow. But may be you mistake
nv back for that of this villain Sea-
sick"
ssNot a bit of it, my lad" was the re-
ply, in a sharp, squeaky voice. "My
name is Ropes-end, and most always |
am obliged to help young chaps like you
in mastering our disagreeable companion
here" This time Ropes-end, who was
very supple of body, wound himself
about Reuben's limbs, and, wherever he
touched the novice, it caused great welts
to rise upon his tender flesh, producing
extreme agony.
The farmers son, however, was not
wholly destitute of courage, aud, strong
Iy resenting the assistance of Rcpes-end,
he staggered to his feet, and, grasping
his first prosecutor in a strong clutch, he
began slowly to overpower him.
81 am conquered am conquered"
called Sea.sick. aNew throw me over
board and / shall never trouble you
again. Fear no Of committing murder,
for / shall be all right soon, and be
ready to visit the mex ship that leaves
port
Thus encouraged aud feeling his
strength gradually returning, as the
grasp OF his foe weakened, Reuben lifted
his prosecutor to the rail of the vessel
and threw him bodily into the ocean.
As he did SO, Rope's-end again embraced
his limbs and he heard the gruf voice OF
the boatswain exclaim:
"Well done, my jolly mariner, well
done. Well soon make a sailor of you.n
"Oh, I wish / were home again, "
groaned Reuben.
stTut, tut, "rejoined the weatherbeaten
son of Neptune. aThe voyage is scarce
" begun yet. You've only met two Of
the crew. Come forward, and I'll in
trodncc you to some Of the rest of your
shipmatss."
Reuben staggered after the burly boat
swain, but at nearly every step the frisky
little Rope'a-end renewed his antics.
II wish you'd send that fellow away,
said the boy. tile hurts me.
toh, you'll soon get used to him, fol
he is one of those chaps that, as they say
on board a vessel, lis in everybody't
mess and nobody's Watchpn
Just then the mar stopped and opened
the door Of d large closet, or as he calico
it, locker.
leone out here, SIush- bucket | wani
you,n and obsying the order a curious
little chap presented himself.
His body much resembled a paint-kee
while he sottered insecurity about on bis
pindling and attenuated legs.
Here you are, embrace your new
shlpmate, = said the boatswain.
Thus hidden, Slush-bucket sprang up
wound bis why arms about the boy,
neck and pressed his greasy side closely
to the youths jacket.
sOh, what a vile smell, Z thought Reu.
ben, and for a moment he imagined ht
detected the face of Sea-sick leering al
him over the bulWarks.
ssNow, then, my son, you and Slush-
bucket, here, will be daily companions
for some time, and you will have to make
many trips aloft with him, SO you'd bet.
ter start at once. Put your hand into
his mouth, he won't bite you, and when
you get up to the royal-mast, rub yout
fipper, (meaning handy on the after pari
Of the stick Mind you don't get any
on the forward portion
ssNo, see that you do not spoke up
Rope's-end, nfor if you leave any grease
there ! shall have to embrace you again
when you come down on deck
Then as though to hurry the be-
wildefeaa lad upon his mission. The ever
ready assistant Of the boa6Wain 1appgd
him none too gently on the shoulders,
and Reuben climbed into the rigging.
Slowly he worked his way up over tie