The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-02-11
MET HALF WAY.


ship az se~''"n aboard the Warrior, as
she lay lii inc harbor. A fine two mast
ed schooner was the vessel, and Captain
Scudder was properly proud of her as
she lay alongside the wharf receiving
cargo and passengers. She was to sail
with twenty souls upon her-seyenteen
men, two women and lady's maid. At
the last moment the captain decided to
augment his crew by one man more.
Ere he made move to engage one, he
heard mans voice saying:
''Please tell me where the captain
Isl"
He turned and faced the speaker, who
was tall, gaunt fellow of thirty years
or thereabout, with such difidence Of
manner as required some courage in
him to look the captain squarely in the
face, when the latter gruffiy said:
I'm tho captain"
The man stood still in an awkward
attitude under the captains stern gaze
as if unable to find speech before so
fierce glance He dropped his dull gray
eyes to the deck and dotted his now
shapeless hat, and spoke, after a gulp,
in a low voice that slightly trembled:
'sf you please, may work my passage
outy
The captain was moved by this speech
to faint facial demonstration of amuse-
ment. A pretty sailor this big. shame
faced man would make! The captain
studied the applicants appearance in de-
tail A homely fellow he was, with an
unhealthy brown hue to his skin, fore
head into which some lines of sorrow
had been wrought, rowing eyes that met
enes glance with slightly startled look,
a haggard face without whiskers, re-
ceding chin, bent shoulders and grace
less way of wearing his faded and fray
ed attire. Red hands and long wrists
arotruded from the two short sleeves of
his wornout blouse.
"What do you know about sailing?
asked the captain in tone of ridicule.
ssNot much, sir. I've worked with
fishermen, and | know little about
handling a smack
Il reckon we don't need you. Ever
been on schooner before at ALL"
"Often as a passenger, sir. know
I'm not seaman, but I'll do anything.
want to get back to my people"
"You look strong enough: but why do
you hang your head like that? One
would think you were coward"
81 am" said the man. in low voice.
what! and you admit it?"
Eyes Why not? I've fought hard
against it, but can't help it. l make
up my mind to be brave enough, but
when the time comes for it I'm afraid"
The captain had never met such
character as this before, and he was in
terested. A few other loungers on the
wharf stepped to overhear the converse
ton, their attention first being attracted
by the great height Of the man.
"Afraid of wfat?r asked the captain.
81 don't know. OF death, suppose.
This is how it is: 1 came from home
with comrade: go back alone. One
day when we were out in little sloop
storm came up, and in sudden lurch Of
the boat my partner was knocked over
board by the boom. In half minute
the boat was several fathoms away from
him. He couldn't swim"
"Why didn't you throw him a liner"
asked bystander.
Because | was afraid fer my own
towards life! | didn't dare to let go
the tiller for a moment. l stood there
stupid with fear, afraid toleave the tiller
for an instant, afraid of death. felt
like man paralyzsd. AS the boat rose
and fell on the waves / watched my
friend struggle in the sea. l saw him
throw up his arms; saw his face white
with terror; heard him cry out Save
mel and then he must have read what
was in my scared face. for he shouted
Coward and sent me look Of hate as
the waters covered him up. don't
know how made land, but got in safe
after six hours of tossing, when the gale
fell I'd give my life, if only could, to
know that wasn't coward but when
the time comes to show it l haven't the
power. You don't know the shame of
it, sir, but you would if you could see
that look on my comrades face, and if
his last cry rang in your ears day and
night. Cowardice is upon me like a
curse. It's the blight of my life, sir"
Such evident shame and grief were
upon the mans face that all who heard,
including the captain. were moved to
some pity Of his state, and so much curl
osity had he excited in the captains
mind that he was employed for the voy-
age.
When the Warrior hoisted sail an hour
later she had twenty-one souls aboard.
The captain classified them thus: Seven
teen men, two ladies, maid and cow
ard. t.'.t'''t-
The Warrior had good winds at the
start of her voyage. Bat one night
wind rose and at daylight there was a
heavy gale. Whitecaps danced wildly
upon the waters of the sound. The per-
turbation of the sea was becoming fright
full. The vessel was driving straight on
to rocky coast. The passengers, pale
with dread of the coming catastrophe,
dashed themselves to the deck or chung