The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-13
THE MEASURING OF THE
DHOW.
A Slave Tale.
BY MORLEY ROBERTS,
TCopvright 1881

Some years ago now three men were
sitting In a big room at the Admiralty
in Whitehall They were hard at work.
ior one was reading Mademoiselse Mau'
pin in the originali the second was
trimming his nails with elaborate and
afFectionate care, while the third was at
his desk staring at an official paper.
"What / would like to know" said
the last suddenly, SIS how long dhow
can be-"
The reader Of Gautier looked up.
"And what the duce is a dhow2" said
he.
Beingfrom another department which
dealt chiefly with troopships he knew
nothing OF any other craft; at any rate
he appeared to know nothing. But the
man whose nails were nearly finished
smiled little sarcastically.
~ haven't the remotest notion OF
their size, but as the tendency OF all the
powers that be ia to build vessels big
ger aud bigger, it is possible that the
Arabs are Of their age and keep pace
with us"
you've hit it. think" said the
man with the paper, "for they get big
ger every month, and then prize money
gets more accordingly. Here's the
scorpion chap sending in claim for
one Of 800 tons. It's about time we
had prize court on this coast here"
ut ought to BIO inquired into" said
the reader OF the Gold Book.
sit must be inquired into" said the
nail parer, planting his penknife deep
in the table.
1T shall be inquired into" said the
man with the paper. II am going tc
Alexandria next month. l will take
care to get sent on to Zanzibar. There
will be allowances and subsistence
money, and will inquire into this tale
OF the Scorpion"
"Get up mensuration and tonnage and
measurements and all that rot before
you gol" said the disciple OF Gautier
with wink, and then and there he sal
down and wrote letter to friend o.
his. Part Of it ran thus: II think you
know Bright Of the Scorpion, now hunt
ing slaves, &c, on the east coast O
Africa. Jerson, OF this Office, will take
advantage Of his having TO 20 to Alex
andria and go further, perhaps to zanEi
bar He is interested in dhows; want
to know how big they run verbum Sap.
Jefferson went to Alexandria, anc
liked 1t, and to Alden and hated II, anC
then on to Zanzibar by a B. !. boat ant
Frenchman; but when he reached thu
Sultan's Island he found the Scorpion
commander was laid up with some kint
OF fever. He wasn't to be seen, so JET
feraon got put on board the gunboat
and interviewed the chief gunner, whC
was practically in command.
$50 you would like to see dhow
sirY" said the gunner, cheerfulfy. evil
you come out q cruise with us for us t
catch you oneH"
Haven't you one haudyH" askct
Jefferson.
nWell, not exactly" replied tho gun
ner, in tone that made his question:
feel meanly ignorant. "These big slav,
dhows are getting scared ot US now, blu
I'll see what can be done for you
you'll stay with US for bit"
"That's what l proposed doing
Lieutenant Bright sent me word that
could have his claim. suppose it
healthier on the water than ashore p
Healthier Lord love you cir,
spidth man with agrave face. "There'
10 health here. I've had the feye
seventeen times. I've got touch Of |
nowl"
"lpa not catching, ia it2" asked Jetter
son, rervously.
"irhey say not, sir" replied the gun
ner, apparently trying to appear cheer
full. tits in the air and tho water ant
the grub and the tobacco and every
thing, but can sec you're not scarce
about fever"
"Hum" said Jefferson.
"I'll SEQ your traps are sent on board
sir" said tho gunner, and no departe
to interview the bosom. His air @
cheeriulness was eiouded over whom hi
back was turned, and gloom fell on hi
Bhipmate when he heard the news.
"whnt's 10 DO done with this ofiic
swat? 2" asked tho gunner HE vii
blow the whole gafi II We can't put hin
oil. The lieutenant would fix him som
way or another"
Persuade him tomorrow that he
got tho foyer already" said the bo'sor
who was q man OF ready wit. Get III
doctor to give you something to fix hi
drink with and make him ILL"
II duwn't ask the doctor any sue
thingp
''1'hen got II ashore"
cts too risky"
"Then hos got US, said tho bosom.
II don't know that rs any good vel
ing before wo'ro hurt" said tho gunnt
after pause. ''1'll lind some way I
weather on him, II l have to take hit
out In the boats for q week and max
him believe we don't know whore "
arc"
stake him UP nor'ard and stick hi
In o awanp on the Kipanga," said III
bosom,
"Iiit wouldn't put the whole orc
down too said the gunner sit woul
bOryO him right What does this ma