Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-11-02
GOING ON BOARD.


It was wet, dreary night in that
cheelless part of the great metropolis
known as Mapping. The rain, which
had been falling heavily for hours, still
fell steadily on to the sloppy pavements
and roads, and joining forces in the gut
ter rushed impetuously to the nearest
sewer. The two or three streets which
had wedged themselves in between the
docks and the river, and which, as mat
ter of fact, really comprise the begin
ming and end of Mapping, We're desert
ed, except for belated van crashing
over the granite roads or the chance
form of a dock laborer plodding dogged-
ly along, with head bent in distaste for
the rain and hands sunk in trousers
pockets.
.'Beastly night" said Captain Bing, as
he rolled out of the private bar of the
Sailors Friend, and ignoring the pres
ence of the step, took a little hurried
run across the pavement. Mot fit for
dog to be out in"
He kicked, as he spoke, at a shivering
cur which was looking in at the crack
of the bar door, with hazy view of
calling its attention to the matter, and
then pulling up the collar of his rough
peajacket stepped boldly out into the
rain. Three or four minutes walk, or
rather roll, brought him to dark, mar
row passage, which ran between two
houses to the waterside. By a slight
tack to starboard at critical moment,
he struck the channel safely, and fol-
lowed it until it ended in flight of old
stone steps, half of which were under
water.
Where for?" inquired a man, starting
up from small penthouse formed of
rough pieces of board.
Schooner in the tier-Smiling Jane" :"
said the captain gruffiy, as he stumbled
clumsily into Il boat and sat down in the
stern. why don't yon have better
seats in this ere boat?''
They're there, if you'll look for them, -
said the Waterman; ''and you'll find 'em
easier sitting than that bucket"
why don't you put 'em where man
can see 'em?' inquired the captain rails
ing his voice little.
The other opened his mouth to reply,
but realizing that it would only lead to
a long and utterly futile argument, con-
tented himself with asking his fare to
trim the boat better, and pushing off
from the steps, pulled strongly through
the dark, lumpy water. The tide was
strong. SO that they made but slow prog
reSs.
when l was q young man," said the
fare with severity, I'D ha' pulled this
boat across and back afore now"
',When you was Il young man" said the
man at the oars, who had a local repu-
tation as u wit, 'therc wasn't no boats:
they was all Noah's arks then"
.sStow your gab,'' said the captain.
after pause of deep thought.
The other, whose. besetting sin was
certainly not loquacity, elected thin
stream of tobacco juice over the side,
spat on his hands, and continued his Ia
borious work until crowd of dark
shapes surmounted by a network of rig
ging loomed up before them.
"Now, which is your little barge" he
inquired, Juggling strongly to maintain
his position against the fast flowing tide.
s'Smiling Jane" said his fare.
"Ah," said the waterman, Smiling
Jane, is it? You sit there, cap'en, an
I'll row round all their sterns while you
strike matches and look at the names.
Well have quite a nice little evening""
"There she is, cried the captain, who
was too muddled to notice the sarcasm;
''there's the little beauty. Steady, my
lad"
He reached out his hand as he spoke,
and as the boat Jared violently against
small schooner seized rope which
hung over the side, and swaying to and
fro fumbled in his pocket for the fare.
STEADY, old boy" said the waterman
afTectionately He had just received
twopence halfpenny and Il shilling by
mistake for threepence. Easy up the
side. You amt such pretty figger as
you was when your old woman made
such bad bargain"
The captain paused i'll his climb, and
poising himself on one foot, gingerly felt
for his tormentor's head with the other.
Not finding it, &c flung his leg over the
bulwark and gained the deck of the
vessel as the boat swung round with the
tide and disappeared i'll the darkness.
"All turned in" said the captain, gaz-
ing owlishly at the deserted deck.
"Well, there's d gnod hour an a half
afore we start; I'll turn i'll too"
He walked slowly aft, and sliding back
the companion hatch descended into a
small evil smelling cabin, and stood feel
ing in the darkness for the matches.
They were not to be found, and growl-
ing profanely he felt his way to the
stateroom and turned in all standing.
1t was still dark when he awoke, and
hanging over the edge of the bunk eau
tiously felt for the floor with his feet,
and having found it stood thoughtfully
scratching his head, which seemed to
have swollen to abnormal proportions.
''Time they were getting under weigh
lie said at length, and cropping his way
to the foot of the steps he opened the
door Of what looked like small pantry,
but which was really the mates boudoir.
''Jem," said the captain gruffiy.
There was no reply, and jumping to
the conclusion that he was above the
captain tumbled up the steps and gained
the deck, which as far as he could see
was in the same deserted condition as
when he left it. Anxious to get some
idea of the time he staggered to the side
and looked over. The tide was almost
at the turn, and the steady clank, elank
of neighboring windlasses showed that
other craft were just getting under
weigh. A barge, its red light turning
thewater to blood, with huge wall of
dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the in
distinct figure of a man leaning skill
fully upon the tiller.
AS these various signs of life and
activity obtruded themselves upon the