The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-31
THE CAPTAINS MISTAKE
How Hasty Temper Ncarly Cost
Him His VITA

violent temper
His young vile Mabel, who had ac-
companicd him for voyage to Java.
often begged him to control himself,
declaring that such temper would yet
lead him to the perpetrat' on Of some
deed he would bitterly rcpent 81.
Not that he was ever otherwise than
kind and gentle 20 her. II was against
his men that he sometimes became en-
ragged They alt- Rxed him. notwith-
standing; for, except when they made
some blundcr, he treated them lilsc
brothers They also liked and re-
spccted hts good wife-a beautiful brn-
nettc 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 skin. and her husband had
been heard to say that she was an OK
pert swimmer. lie was sturdy,
broad-shouldere fellow. with an arm
like blaclesmith's. ruddy check and
: clear eye. HIS wife loved him deep
ly, and whenever she saw him angry
with his men she would hover about
him, endcayoring to soothe him.
Her own brother. Jack Wilton, q
youth Of seventeen, was eabin-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 III. he stumbled
against q bucket full OF tar. spllling
the latter all over the deck.
"Confound you, youngstcrt'' roared
the skipper I'm 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
snre he had not slept ten minutes dur
ing that time. II would, therefore, be
cruel to make the poor boy. who was
not yet quite we'll. remain awake so
long
But, although susceptible TO mis-
wife's influence, there were times
when she could not move him He
now resisted all her appeals. AMI at
dark made little Jack get into the long
boat and there seat himself, 10 keep D
lookout
And mind that you keep guod
onels said he. Don't lot me catch ron
dozingf''
Have you put Jack ON the looleoat2''
inquired his wife. when he joined her
In the cabin.
'.Yesi"
.'Cruelf' She cried, pout.ug, tins tears
coming TO her eyes,
WHAT Yor are not angry vita m, II
he said.
He put his arm around her iitne
waist. drew her TO him and kissed her
"Iluebenrdi" said she. 81 ought 10
pull your hairl'
She nestled in his arms, coDxea him
and pleaded with him about Jack. but
In vain.
Then she became very still and
All at once singular ex-
preston flashed IN her dark eyes. Shc
half started, rolled round In his arms
like a ball. but said not word.
A few inmates later the captain re.
tired 10 his apartment adjoining that
Of his wife He soon fell asleep, but
awokc three hours later and went on
deck
Itwas q dark night, and die 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
of the officer Of the deck, however, he
learned that the island lone Of the
Fiji group--borc about mile off the
lee quarter.
lie now walked toward The long
boat, in which he had stationed Jack
Wilton to keep lookout
IF ] find him vigilant and waheful,
win let him have his wRtch beiowW
he mnttercd, gently the dark, plead
ing eyes of his wife haunting his mind.
''Balloal lie Is asleepl" added the skip.
per. he approached the form seated
n the boat
In fact. the head Of the lookout"
was bowed, and the deep breathing
that saluted the captain was Indicative
,f profound slumber.
Barton's quick temper was nc once
aroused He sprang toward the dinly
revealed form Ia the boat. climbed into
he vessel, and rushed at the deeper,
intending to seize him by the shoulder,
md give him merciless shaking Int
It that moment the ship plunged heay-
ly and, in his haste, the captain caught
ais foot against the boat-masL rolling
i half out of the craft, and falling al
most PROSTATE in the boat AS he fell,
lis 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 hcyoung look
out went with it, pitching, head-foye-
most, into the dark waters
Man overboardi' shrieked tho cap
tain, in dismny, as he staggered 70 his
feet Lively there. bask the main.
gard and down with the boat he add
I'd, leaping to the deck
hut, Just then, a loud. buzzfng nctse
was heard Struck by sudden. ter
rife gale, the ship went over ON her
beam-cnds and tore through the wa
.ers, with the spray sweeping her fore
and aft An attempt was msde tol
.ower the boat, but it was dashed to
fragments against the ships eide
The wind blew great gunA It
,hrieked like hyena in the quivet1ng
,hrouds, and the. roaring sea became
white with whirling foam and spray
No boat could be lowered now
,.Losti The boy Is lostiT groaned
~, n.,Statr s,yVhat will she aav%tvl,An