The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-29

to the foot OF the steps he opened the
door of what looked like a small pantry,
but which was really the mates boudolr.
''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, clank
of neighboring windlasses showed that
other craft were just getting under
weigh. A barge, its red light turning
the water to blood, with a huge wall OF
dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the in
distinct figure Of man leaning skill
fully upon the tiller.
As these various signs of life and
activity obtruded themselves upon the
skipper of the Smiling Jane his wrath
rose higher and higher as he looked
around the wet, deserted deck of his
own little craft. Then he walked for
ward and thrust his head down the fore
castle hatchway.
AS he expected, there was complete
sleeping chorus below--the deep, salts
fed snoring of half dozen seamen, who
regardless Of the tide and their captains
feelings, were slumbering sweetly in
blissful ignorance Of all that The Lancet
might say upon the twin subjects OF
overcrowding and ventilation.
Below there, you lazy thieves, roared
the captain; tumble up, tumble up"
The SHORES stopped. faye, ave." said
sleepy voice. "What's the matter,
MASTER"
ssMatter!" repeated the other, choking
violently. "Ain't you going to sail to-
night"
'sTonight!" said another voice, in
surprise. "Why, 1 thought we wasn't
going to sail till Wen'sday."
Not trusting himself to reply, SO care
full was he of the morals of his men, the
skipper went and leaned over the side
and communed with the silent water.
In an incredibly short space of time five
OF six dusky figured battered up on to
the deck, and in a minute or two later
the harsh clank of the windlass echoed
far and wide.
The captain took the wheel. A fat
and very sleepy seaman put up the side
lights, and the schooner, detaching
itself by the aid of boathooks and
tenders from the neighboring craft,
moved slowly down with the tide. The
men, in response to the captains fervent
orders, climbed aloft, and sail after sail
was spread to the gentle breeze.
III! you there" cried the captain to
one of the men who stood near him coil
ing up some loose line.
ssSir?" said the man.
ssWhere is the mater" inquired the
captain.
'sMan with red whiskers and pimply
nose?' said the man interrogatively.
s.That's him to hair answered the
other.
"Aint seen him since he took me on
at IL" said the man.
'.How many new hands are there%
Z 81 b'lieve we're all fresh" was the re-
ply. 81 don't believe some of 'em have
ever smelt salt water"
~The mates been at it again" said the
captain warmly; 'sthat's what he has.
He's done it afore and got left behind.
Them what can't stand drink, my man,
shouldn't take it; remember that.
ssHe said he wasn't going to sail till
Wen'sday," remarked the man, who
found the captains attitude rather try
ing.
sHe'll get sacked; that's what he'll
get" said the captain warmly. II shall
report as soon as get ashore"
The subject exhausted, the seaman re-
turned to his work, and the captain con-
tinued steering in moody silence.
Slowly, slowly darkness gave way to
light. The different portions of the
craft, instead of all being blurred into
one, took upon themselves shape, and
stood out wet and distinct in the cold
gray of the breaking day. But the lighter
it became, the harder the skipper stared
and rubbed his eyes, and looked from
the deck to the flat marshy shore, and
from the shore back to the deck again.
'sHere, come here" he cried, beckon-
ing to one of the crew.
"Yessir,' said the man advancing.
sThere's something in one of my
eyes, faltered the skipper. II can't
see straight; everything seems mixed
up. Now. speaking deliberate and with
out any hurry, which side O the ship do
you say the cooks galley's on?"
"Starboard," said the man promptly,
ewing him with establishment.
eStarboard, repeated the other softly.
ssHe says starboard, and that's what it
seems to me. My lad, yesterday morn
ing it was on the port side"
The seaman received this astounding
communication with calmness, but as a
slight concession to appearances said
"Lor"
.sAnd the water casl1," said the skip
per; .'what color is it?"
"Green," said the man.
ssNot white?'' inquired the skipper,
leaning heavily upon the wheel.