The morning call., 1893-05-21

while l waited for Tom TO lock the door,
He forced his way out. took me by the
arm and in silence we mounted the poop
ladder.
Oh. the sweetness of the air up there. and
the peace and beauty of that S-ntle tropic
nighti The moon was up. the dark sky
was crowded with stars to the horizon, the
ship was sailing nOiselessly before the
wind. Aloft, where the sails swelled stir
less carvings of stone, glowing in the
beam of the moon that shone athwart
them. all was silent. Forward, not figure
stirred; aft, Mr.. Bates walked on one side
of the deck, and by the clear white light
in the air / distinguished VIII at the
wheel. Tom spoke no word till we were
on the poop; he then said, Il believe we
shall be able to get away t9,nighs."
''rhe sooner the better. Tom"
'If they don't set fire TO the ship" said
he, "we may be able to get away easily.
And in a quarter boat. chose the gig
because she hangs where she may be
lowered without much risk of observation.
But the people down there mean to drink
themselves dead drunk. II that happens.
well take quarter-boat."
SIS that VIII at the wheel?"
ave, the dog whose trick was up re-
fused to stand any longer when he under
stood there was grng going in the cabin.
No other man would come aft to re eieve
him. So much the better. 1t all works
for u.s."
We joined Mr.. Bates and went to the
helm and stood there. They were now
making horrible, roaring noise in the
euddy; it sounded like a great drunken
cheering of Sentiment" or speech.
I've been watching them light their
pipes" said Dir. Bates. "We must stand
by. Butler"
'Bates, it's to be done," exclaimed Tom.
looking round the sea. What shall we
want? Nothing that may not be got and
slowed in twenty minutes. Johnstone.
jump forward and try one of the scuttle
butts. If there's water, fill couple of
boats breakers"
He took the wheel from the lad, who
fed like the shadow Of cloud in a gale off
the poop.
Which is the best quarter boat, Bates?"
1.-The aftermost."
''See if it's all right with her,"
The mate sprang upon hencoop and
got into the boat, where his figure was lost
He came out after a few minutes ana re-
ported everything in it's place. Will re-
turned. He said that the star board scut-
tlebutt was half full took the bre ker out
of the boat and went forward. When this
was flied he took the breaker from the
other boat, filed and stored it in the boat
We meant to use.
just then hush fell upon the people be-
low. 1t startled one, so suddenly i'd it
come on top OF the noise. The skylights
lay wide open; stepped to ore of them
and looked down. Some of the conyietS
already lay. with their heads buried in
their arms, motionless in deep. drunken
sleep. Others. who were within the COM
pass OF my vision. leaned back. in the
stupefaction of drink, with fixed eyes. A
lew lay Ike dead men upon the deck. But
the great mass we're still wide awake. full
Of the fever of drink and the life of their
own hideous spirits; as many as I could
see were all looking aft. where Aaron sat,
and l had not been watching minute
when the jew whose deep bass voice, con-
sderably thickened and deepened yet by
the drains he had drained, roared out the
following song. Il caught some OF the
words aud long afterward met with the
verses)
The prize-6ghter sang it thus:
As clever Tob Pinch, while the rabbie was bawlig,
Rode stately through Olbord to die i'd his eailig
He stopped at the George for bottle of sack
Ad promised to pay for II when he ca be hack.
Here broke in a roar of laughter.
His waistcoat ad stoekids and breeches white,
HIS cap had dew cherry rbbod TO tie't;
The maids to the doors ana the balcodes rad
Ad said: "Lack-a-day, he's proper yug bad"
The singer was again Interrupted by an
other great shout of laughter. 1t NAV
nave oeen his drunken grimaces aud thick
pronunciation that amused the convicts
there seemed not much to laugh at in the
words of hfs song.
But as at the windows the ladies he spled
Ike beau id the box he bowed low ON each side
fiu "hed the last speech the ioud 'awkers did cry
fe s"ore frob his cart. 1T was an daobed lie p
The hagbad for pardod fell dowd Cd his dee;
Tod gave hib kick id the CUTS or his fee
Here broke in another shout that lasted
some moments. The convicts beat upon