Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1891-05-18
SAILORS FARE.


the Maltese and other varieties whose
coiors do not bring them under my pet
aversion. But black cats! Ugh' And
this is why:
a dozen years ago, perhaps, shipped
as boy before the mast aboard 4 large
clipper ship bound for San Francisco
via Cape Horn. 1 am mentioning no
names for obvious reasons, as will APP
pear later on. Nor will enter into
particulars regarding the trials and
horrors (for mel of that voyage. Enough
to say that ran away from Il comfort
able and luxurious home to partalSe OF
the alleged joys (?) of Il life on the
ocean wave" had rather be many
things now than sailor.
The captain, Il stern, austere, old
"shell back" was part owner of the
vessel. He hailed from Cape Cod.
'If you want poor grub" the sailors in
formed inc, ''just ship under Cape Cod
Yankee. skipper, an you've got it," l
may say right here that l had every
reason during the voyage to accept the
above statement without any reserva-
ton whatever.
The captain had on board as pets two
suasion. Tom and Jerry were their
names These fclincs were given the
freedom of the ship from the start, and
by the captains strict orders they en-
joycd an immunity from all interference
or molcstation that the ancient cats of
Egypt might have envicd. From the
captains table they were fed daily just
in front OF the cabin door on scraps and
sundry dclicacies. 1t used to stick in my
gorge somewhat after going to the galley
for my allowance of Junk" and lob
scousc," to watch those cats quietly
feeding on fried chicken and other
things that my own daily dict led me
to think belonged to the dead past.
On several occasions, when no one
was looking, had driven the eats away
from their meals, which dcvOured with
intense relish. had invariably been
scratched on these occasions, and this
b. no means increased my love for the
captains pets.
had succeeded one day in capturing
a mess OF corned-bcGf hash, when l was
detected by the captain III the act of
transferring the same to my own di-
gc&tivc apparatus. 1t only amounted
TO few ticks with a ropes end and be-
ing deprived of my watch below for that
night; but my hatred for those felincs
now knew no bounds. Besides, they
were fed in the cabin after this, which
was, OF course, t&DOoCd ground for me.
All! Thought l, if | could only catch one
of you chaps some dark night L. 1T
was dark and stormy that evening.
was stationed aft near the poop steps,
and q moro wrHtchcd specimen Of hui
manity would be hard TO imagine than
/ was as the seas broke over the side
and drenchcd me to the skin.
Ny foot struck against something
soft. There was a plaintivc mcouw.
| locked out, by thunder" said /.
| ''iIcrc, puss, puss" 1t was Tom, nc
! other. With q sudden movement l had
the creature by the back OF the neck.
''IIcrea for that last scratch, Tom,
| said /, and Tom was forthwith launched
ont into the storm. There was com.
motion on board the following morning
The captain eyed INC suspiciously and
! remarked carclccSly to the mate: "If j
thought that cub had hand in this ID
hcavc him overheard"
We were only weeks distance from
port, The ship was being general
ly scrapcd and painted and it had fallcr
to my lot to manipulate the tar barrel
This consisted of stirring the mess
about, with Il heavy bar, as one would
churn butter. Both the captain ant
mate had gone below for dinner. Tho
sailors were all busily occupied for'ard
The tar barrel was about amidshipS.
looked around and discovered jerry
quietly sleeping, spread out on thu
main hatch.
l don't know what put it into m,
head, but l wondered how Jerry woult
like it if. There was q sudden move
mcnt on my part, q sound of scufiling
which brought the mate out to see wha
was the matter, l was pounding ava,
ut the tar barrel for dear life.
"Ilerc, don't work so hard at that tar
exclaimed the mate. / then relaxed IN,
efforts. There were three feet of sof
tar in that barrel and I have sine