The Globe-republican., 1892-12-16
THREE IN CHARGE
A Story of the Sea.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.

Il am the captain. said he.
What is your name?" said I, ar
preaching him.
Capt. Timothy Punch, he answered
What Is your business, siri
Informed him that I had taken
passage In the Biddy McDougal for Eng
land.
"Oh, you're the gentl" he cried. an
his manner immediately became re
spectful. You'll excuse me for no
rising. I'm full flush to the hatche
with govt, and pain amt going to i'm
prove the manners of plain sailor. I
I'm a bit rough in my speech you'll ex
cuse me. What can offer ye. sir?"
Nothing. thank you."
"A ships fox sic was my college. b.
continued, giving expression to his en-
| toyment Of the matter of his speech BY
a succession Of silly chuckles, and
comes from a rough stock, sir. Ye may
have heard Of the famous Capt. John
Punch, him as was terror to all wrong
doors down in the West Indian waters.
He couldn't read or write, but he was q
captain in the Royal Navy for all that,
as you may hascertain by consulting
the Admiralty lists OF his day. His not
being able to write was nothen; but his
not being able to read was a bit incon-
venient now and again, as, for instance,
when he was sent away under sealed
orders, or when he'd get an official let
ter marked confidential the inside of
which he was to keep strictly secret"
He was proceeding, but out the gar
rulOus, wheezy old man short.
Il may take it, said I, that there
has been q fresh captain appointed to
this ship since visited her q few days
ago."
You may take it, he noisily wheezed,
that the captain of this ship Is limo
thy Punch. he brought the Biddy Nc
Dougal out and he's going to take the
Biddy McDougal home"
/ viewed him with astOnisment, but
held my tongue, never doubling that the
Mr.. Wilson" whom had met and who
might have happened to be on board as
q guest or as sightseer when arrived,
had entertained himself at my expense
by deliberate falsehood.
Capt. Punch again apologized for not
being able to rise, yet made an effort to
stir in his chair for no other purpose,
however, that could see than to force
q grOan that sounded like an execration,
he told me that my private stock Of
wine and the other matters had laid in
were safely housed in the berth adjoin-
Ing mine, d berth that was unoccupied,
and was, therefore, at my service, as
we'll as the cabin had paid for. Never
theless, went below to make sure. In
the cabin 1 found q young fellow clean
ing some glasses.
Are you the steward?" said I.
L waits upon the Captain" he an
swered.
The Captain?" exclaimed.
Capt. Punch, Sir, said he.
Then it is all right. so far as Punch
goes, thought 1; and that fellow Will
'on-if 1 should happen to meet him!
is there regular steward?" asked |
Il does all the waiting at this here
able, answered the young fellow.
On this told him that l was the pas
enger. babe him see that my cabin was
lean and comfortable and in readiness
or me, slipped few rupees into his
and, and, after looking at my pur-
bases, returned on deck.
The captain told me. that the ship
Tould certainly sail on the following
Wednesday, at some hour in the after
Don, and babe me be on board not later
han nine.
We ought to ha' got away three weeks
go" he exclaimed: it's all along Of the
'angoon port authorities, as they call
Every sniveling creature
hose dirty little soul is wrapped up in
white hide is boss in this flaming
Ountry, and the more snivelinU he is
nd the dirtier the little soul what's
raped up in him the more aggravating
oes he 90 to work in his bossing jobs.
unch knows 'em. They've got Punch's
Jump up often enough, and lucky it is
,r these here port authorities that
unch amt no longer the man he was,"
nd here he looked at his immense,
DUTY fists, then fastened his eyes sig
upon his bloated, seemingly
elpless knees.