Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-22


astrous end TO his own or his owners
contemplate cheesc-paring policy.
However, had not so good mn opin-
ion Of the pilots taciturnity a. to make
him my conlidant in these thoughts.
A little after eight the steward called
me down TO breakfast where ! found
the pilot impatiently smiling AN at.
mosphcrc charged with the aroma OF
broilcd ham and strong coffee own.
as | helped myself TO a Tasher and con
trasted the good provisions with which
the cuddy table was furnished with the
bad food served TO the men. that was
weak enough 10 sympathize very
cordially with the poor fellows. Inc
steward told me that not man among
them had broken his fast; this he had
been told by the cook, who added that
the men would rather starve than eat
the biscuit that had been served out TO
them. Such was their way OF showing
themselves wrongcd; and the steward
declared that he did not half like
bringing our breakfast from the galley,
for the men, when they smcllcd the
ham and saw him going aft with II
I'm Of hot rolls. became 20 fOrcblc IN
their language that he every moment,
during his walk along the main-deck,
expected 10 feel himself seized behind
and pitched overheard
After breakfast | went upon deck,
and saw Deal boat making for the
ship. She came along in slashing
style, under her broad lug!-and in n
short time was near enough to enable
me to sec that she tOwcd our quarter
q zoe
ling were among her occupants. |
went TO the gungway 10 receive her;
she fell of, then lullcd, running a fine
srmicirclc; down dropped her lug, her
mizlrn brought her right 10, and she
came alongside with beautiful pre-
ci.iun. stopping under the gangway like
II carriage ut your door.
| caught the line that was flung from
her, took turn with It, and then
CoNon and the chief mate stepped on
board. The moment he touched the
deck, Cuyon called to the men, who
were hanging about the forccastlc.
"Got your traps together and out
with you! II ever man among you
stops in my ship five minutes, I'll fling
him overheard,
With which terrible throat he walked
into the cuddy. Duckling remained ut
the pangway to see the crew leave the
ship. The poor fellows were all ready.
They had made up their minds to &c
ashore, but hardly knew under what
circumstances They were clearly dis
appointed by the skippcr's procedure,
for rs they came 10 the gangway. car
ryimg their bags and chests, all kinds
Of remarks, expressive Of their opinion
on the matter, were uttered bY them.
"1hr old blackguarl' said one,
llngiug his bag into the boat, and
lingering before Ducking and myself
in order to deliver hi, observations,
''hc hasn't the pluck to have rs tired.
Pitch Us overheard! let him try his
tetc.) hand upon the littlcst Of u.s. I'd
take six months, and thank en-, just
10 warm my fist on his (etc.) facet
and so forth.
nuckling was wise 10 hold his peace.
The mon were furious enough to have
mase cred him had he opened his lips,
The older hands got into the boat
/ in silence. but nonn Of the rest left
the ship without some candid express
sion Of his feelings. One said he'd
gladly pay n pound for leave to set lire
10 the ship. Another called her .
floating work house. A third hoped
that the vessel would be sunk, and the
hrutcs commanding her drowned DO
fore this time tomorrow. Every evi.
wish that malice and rage could IN
vent was hurled NJ the vessel and ai
those vino remained In her. In after
days recalled that beautiful morning,
the picture Of the luggcr alongside
tho ship, the hungry, ill-uscd men
with their poor packs going over the
/ vessels side. aud the curses they pro.
nomccd rs thew left ~.
An incident followed the entry OF
| the last of the men in the boat.
The sail was nuistcd. the rope that
/ held the boat let go, and her head was
4 showed oil; when tnc PortugeC,' in
I the excitement aud fury OF his fccu
/ ings. drew in his breath and hi,
! cheeks, and spit with trcmcndou,
/ energy Mt Duckling, who was watch,
/ ing him; but the missile fell short; in
! word, hc spit full in the face Of on,
Of the old hands, who instantly
knocked him down. He umblcd
head over heels among tho feet OF III,
crowd Of men, while Duckling roarot
out: "lf the man who knocked thai
blackguard down will return to hi,
duty, I'll bo his friend" But all III,
answer he got was roar which re-
scmblcd In sound and character tn,
mingled laughter and groans of I
large mob, The fresh wind caught
and filled the sail, tho boat houndc,
away under the pressure, and In II few
minutes was long distance out o
hail.