Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-23

Il
to do" he said. Says he'd like to do chores
round for his victuals. Says he doesn't like
| my victuals."
| The captains chuckled. Sefami Bunt was
bachelor and his housekeeping was not sup
posed to be of high order.
"Hev ye got him in the jail?" asked Capt
| Asy Bean.
The L'n.erp-jawed man shifted uneasily Il
the other foot. wal, hev." he admitted
But he doesn't seem TO be con.ented with
that m Then, after pause, Il brung him will
me. Twant safe to leave him, for the jai
door says SO can't lock it and the chain il
bust Sof you'd like to see him for yer
| selves
"Where is he?" asked the captains In chorus
Sefami Blunt gave backward Jerk with hi
head. Il tied him to the leg o. the table," b,
said the boys is mindin' of him. Sh'll
fetch him up?''
Receiving an affirmative answer, he disap.
peared; and returned dragging the prisoner BY
| the collar
The latter. the instant he caught sight Of the
| assembly of mariners, shook off his keeper
| with single movement: then, making his
| obelsance in true seaman fashion, he glanced
| quickly around the room and stood still. cap in
hand. in an attitude of respectful humility.
tie was a short, thick-set man, evidently Of
| great strength. sailor, every inch of
| him, from the gold rings in his ears to the way
| he set his feet down. Jet black curs clustered
| about his brown. smiling face. His dark eyes
were alive with intelligence and humor;; His
| open shirt din 'ayed = neck deliberately tat
| tooed. while h. Is and wrists were a museum
| of anchors. hearts and crosses
'Will you speak to him, Capn BEAM said
| one or two of the other captains in low tones.
oval, don't want to be settin' myself up"
| replied Capt. Asy, but if it's the visible
glanced around the circle and ascertained that
II was the wish. Whereupon. clearing his
throat and assuming quarterback frown. he
asked in majestic tones, What is your name,
prisoner"
The dark eyes looked intelligence. Name,
honorable captains? Giorgios Aristides Evan
gelde PaparipapoUlos."
Great Andes," exclaimed Capt Asy. "we've
got the whole archipelago and no mistake.
What do they call We? Hey?"
''Ahr'-the brown face flashed into a bewil-
dering smile. an ivory revelation. "Call me?
Jimr'
The captains breathed again.
That's more civilized"' said Captain Asy.
Now, you Jim, what have you got to say for
yourseIf?"
1t appeared that Jim had great deal to say
for himself. He was not happy. he must in
form the honorable captains. He complained
of his quarters, his jailer, of his fare. He had.
it was true, stolen hen, being very hungry
and having no money to seek the so honorable
hotel. The hen was almost UNBEATABLE, but he
had stolen her. He had been condemned TO
three months imprisonment in the jail. and 1t
WELL But-here he waxed eloquent, pa
tHeuc Il mar Dten III JAN. uOuordDlc cap
tains, before. Never for great offense. butt
have been. But never like Zis, Re rain come
in upon my bed / try to shut &c door. for re
wind blow at me. but he not shut. 1 sleep, and
re ship come in re door and eat me-
"Hold OH there said Captain Asy. ''What
do you mean by that? Hey? Ship come in
the door?'
"Yes, honorable captain; tree greet big ship.
l hear 'baa, baa.' / wake suddainlee, and
zey are eat my foot"
The warn't but two, guess. Fact. they've
got way O. wand'rin int the Jail. but they
wouldn't ha hurt him any. He's dretful
skeered, for one that's knocked about pooty
nigh the world over, from what he says"
But" the prisoner maintained, turning a
candid face upon the court, lis it a jail-for
ship to walk IN and eat-what you say Needle
re foots of prisoners?"
mo, No, 'tain'tr' That's sor' Hes right.
gentlemen" came from the assembled captains.
Zen" Jim continued. '.ze mess! Sailed back
bone of hog-must eat always zis? Never for
tree monts ozer sing? Honorable captains, 1
die"
Wal" said Sefami Bunt. with hint of
bluster in his voice, Il guess if backbone's
good enough for me, it's good enough for him.
Twas good hawg, and any way, I've got to
use it,.
sold the rest and sailed down the backbone
for yourself and prisoner" queried Capt. Asy
Bean. The jailer nodded, and repeated in an
injured tone:
Twas good hawg, Any body could ha'
seen him fattenin, any time they mind to
pass by"
And tell Mr. Bont'-Jim resumed the
thread of his narrative, smiling apology around
II tell him, Let-a me co. not ron away. of
course; L cannot ron away if / wish. 1t is
island. i tell him .Let-a me go and work,
make re door good; mend Re windows; l do
for ozer people work, perhaps zey give me
oZer mess Is it not?' with sudden flash and
CLEAN of eyes and teeth.
There a short pause. How did you
come here anyway queried Capt Bile TarbOx.
1t appeared that Jim had fallen overheard
from his vessel IL YVES night. and his fall had
had not been noticed Fortunately the vessel
was. even at the moment. passing the island.
He was good swimmer, used to being in the
water for long time-briefy, behold him.
He stole the hen. He was taken. brought be-
fore the selected gentlemen" That was his
story
Just step outside with Bunt minute, my
man." said Capt. Asy Bean, land Wen settle
your case" Then the door closed behind
the smiling criminal and his gloomy guardian
Capt. Asy turned to the others:
Gentlemen, this story may or may not be
true. 1t sounds fshy. But anyhow the man
must have come from somewhere and Td'no
as it matters much s'long as he's here now.
Question is. what to do with him now he is
here. just like them seleckmen, lettin' the
Jail go to rack an ruin an then clappin' a man
in thar for the sheep to nibble.'
MANS a seaman, anyhow" said Capt. Bile
Tarbox- Ought t ba' been sent straight to
u.s."
That's So" assented the captains all.
.'Wal," resumed Capt. Asy, '''pears to me the
strais hit thing is for to send for the seIeck-
men-they'll be goin' by to dinner direckly an
can toll 'em in an say to EN-"
Thar she blows" sang out Capt. Abram.
..Where away" asked Capt. Moses Packard.
Weather bowl was the reply. and then the