The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-05
The aitx ai1n gage qa1ednesdap rorulug Apr 5,
THE CAPTAINS MISTAKE.
bow q TASTY Temper Nearly Cost
Him His Wife.

| kInghSher, had but one great fault-a
violent temper.
His young wife Mabel, who had ac-
companied him for voyage to Java,
often begged him to control himself,
declaring that such temper would yet
lead him to the preparation of some
deed he would bitterly repent Of
Not that he was ever otherwise than
kind and gentle to her. 1t was against
his men that he sometimes became en-
ragged. They all liked him, notwith-
! standing; for, except when they made
some blunder, he treated them like
| brothers. They also liked and re-
spected his good wife-a beautiful bru-
nette of twenty. The health of this
young woman was perfect, and she
was as strong and active as deer
Having been brought up near the
| water. she could handle an oar with
surprising skill. and her husband had
been heard to say that she was an ex-
pert swimmer. He was a sturdy,
broad-shouldered fellow, with an arm
like a blacksmith's, rudy cheek and
a clear eye. His wife loved him deep
with his men she would hover about
him, endeayoring to soothe him.
Her own brother, Jack Wilton, a
youth Of sorenteen, was cabin-boy.
His relation to Mabel, however, did
not prevent his sometimes being the
object of the captains wrath.
One evening, on an occasion when
Jack was slightly Ill, he stun bled
against bucket full of tar, spilling
the latter all over the deck.
"Confound you, youngster!' roarcd
the skipper. "Ill make you stand the
lookout four hours tonight for your
awkwardness."
Mrs. Barton pleaded with him. She
had sat up most all of the previous
night nursing her brother, and she was
sure he had not slept ten minutes dur
cruel to make the poor boy, who was
not yet quite well, remain awake so
long.
But, although susceptible to his
wife's influence, there were times
when she could not move him. He
now resisted all her appeals, and at
dark made little Jack get into the long
boat and there seat himself, to keep a
lookout
And mind that you keep a good
one" said he. Don't let me catch you
dozing!"
"Have you put Jack on the lookout"
inquired his wife. when he joined her
in the cabin.
"Yesp'
Cruel" she cried, pouting, the tears
coming to her eyes
What You are not angry with me?"
he said.
He put his arm around her 1.-the
waist, drew her to him and kissed her.
"Bluebeard!" said she. 81 ought to
pull your hair!'
She nestled in his arms, coaxed him
and pleaded with him about Jack, but
in vain.
Then she became very still and
thoughtful All at once singular ex-
preston flashed in her dark eyes. She
half started, rolled round in his arms
like ball. but said not a word.
A few minutes later the captain re-
tired to his apartment adjoining that
of his wife. He soon fell asleep, but
awol1e three hours later and went on
deck.
1t was a dark night, and the wind
was blowing almost gale. The cap
tain looked leeward, but through the
gloom he could see nothing of an island
the ship had been approaching when
he went below. On making inquiries
learned that the island-one of the
Fiji group--bore about o milo off the
lee quarter.
He now walked toward the long
boat, in which he had stationed Jack
Wilton to keep a lookout
IF / find him vigilant and wakeful,
will let him have his watch belowv'
he muttered, gently, the dark, plead
ing eyes of his wife haunting his mind.
"Halloai He is asleep!" added the skip
per, as he approached the form seated
in the boat
In fact, the head of the lookout"
was bowed, and the deep breathing
that saiuted the captain was indicative
of profound slumber.
Barton's quick temper was at once
aroused. He sprang toward the dimly
revealed form in the boat, climbed into
the vessel and rushed at the sleeper,
intending to seize him by the shoulder,
and give him merciless shaking. But
at that moment The ship plunged heav-
~, &c l. hn m in cor1phf
his foot against the boat-mast. rolling
it half out of the craft, and falling al
most prostrnte in the boat AS he fell,
his outstretched hand struck violently
against the back of the slumberer who,
thus pushed over the gunwale, struck
against the mast, which at once
dropped into the sea The young look
out went with it, pitching, head-fore-
most, into the dark waters
Man overboardl" shrieked the cap
tain. in dismay, as he staggered to his
feet. Lively there, back the main
yard and down with the boatP' he add
ed, lcaping to the deck
But, Just then, loud, buzzing noise
was heard. Struck by sudden, ter
rife gale. the ship went over on her
beam-ends and tore through the wa
tiers, with the spray sweeping her fore
and aft An attempt was made to
lower the boat. but it was dashed to
fragments against the ships side.
The wind blew great guns II
shrieked like hyena in the quivering
shrouds, and the roaring sea became
white with whirling foam and spray
No boat could be lowered now.
"Lostl The boy is lost" groaned
the captain. What viii she say when
she hears of it-that I pushed her