The Press., 1893-07-06

 adversary and himself. As it proved 1t was the very best thing that he could have done. The rough, half blinded and maddened by the blows which he had re- ceived, struck out with all his ungainly strength just as his partners head swun, around in front of him.
 There was noise like that of stone hitting wall, deep. groan, her grasp relaxed, and she dropped dead weight upon the pavement, while the admiral sprang back and raised his stick once more, ready either for attack or defense. Neither was needed, however, for at that moment there was scattering of the crowd, and two police constables, burly and helmeted. pushed their way through the rabble. At the sight of them the rough took to his heels and was instantly screened from view by 2. veil of his friends and neighbors.
 'sI have been assaulted" panted the admiral 'This woman was attacked. and had to defend her."
 '.This is Bermondsey Sal," said one police officer, bending over the bedrag gled heap of tattered shawl and dirty skirt. She's got it hot this time"
 "He was a shortish man, thick, with beard"
 "Ah, that's Black Davie. He's been up four times for beating her. He's about done the job now. If I were you, would let that sort settle their own little af- fairs, sir" .-.
 "Do you think that man who holds the queens commission will stand by and see woman struck?" cried the ad- miral indignantly.
 "Well. just as you like, sir. But you've lost your watch, see."
 "My watch" He clapped his hand to his waistcoat. The chain was hanging down in front, and the watch gone.
 He passed his hand over his forehead. II would not have lost that watch for anything" said ho. No money could replace it. It was given me by the ships an inscription"
 The policeman shrugged his shoulders. "It comes from meddling," said he.
 "What'll you give me if tell yer where it is?' said sharp faced boy among the crowd. "Will you give me aquid?"
 Certainly"
 "Well, where's the quid?'
 The admiral took sovereign from his pocket. Here it is."
 "Then 'eres the tickerr' The boy pointed to the clinched hand of the senseless woman. A glimmer of gold shone out from between the fingers, and on opening them up there was the ad- mirals chronometer. This interesting victim had throttled her protector with one hand, while she had robbed him with the other.
 The admiral left his address with the policeman, satisfied himself that the woman was only stunned not dead, and then set off upon his way once more the poorer perhaps in his faith in human nature, but in very good spirits none the less. He walked with dilated nos trils and clinched hands, all glowing and tingling with the excitement of the combat, and warmed with the thought that he could still, when there was need take his own part in a street brawl ir spite of his threescore and odd years.
 His way now led toward the riverside regions, and cleansing whiff of tar wa, to be detected in the stagnant autumn air. Men with the blue jersey and peaked cap of the boatman or the white duck O. the lockers began to replace the cordu roys and fustian of the laborers. Shop with nautical instruments in the win dows, rope and paint sellers and slol shops with long rows of oilskins danglinl from hooks all proclaimed the neigh borhood of the docks. The admiral quickened his pace am strengthened his figure as his surround l ings became more nautical, until at last peeping between two high dingy wharfs g he caught glimpse of the mud colore l waters of the Thames and of the bristl l of masts and tunnels which rose fror ] it's broad bosom. To the right lay quie a street, with many brass plates upo - either side and wire blinds on all of tn 9 windows. The admiral walked slowl down it until "The St. Lawrence ShiI
 ping Company" caught his eye. H crossed the road, pushed open the doc ? and found himself in 8 low ceilinged O. ] flee, with long counter at one end an ' a great number of wooden sections ( ] ships stuck upon boards and plastere all over the walls.
 "Is MT. Henry inY'' asked the admira : "No, sir," answered an elderly ma from a high seat in the corner. HI - has not come into town today. l ca g manage any business you may wish see to-"
 "You don't happen to have first ( @ second officers place vacant, do you2" The manager looked with a dubiot $ | ova of this sin u11 lar annlicant e .Do you hold certifcatesr' he asked. '- "I hold every nautical certificate the1 is."
 T "Then you won't do for us." k "Why notl' d "Your age, sir"
 e Il give you my word that can see , 1T we'll as ever and am as good man a every way"
 le T don't doubt it."
 "Why should my age be bar, theni l. "Well, I must put it plainly. If ms d of your age, holding certificates, has n
 got past second officers berth, the
 must be black mark against him som
 where. I don't know what it is, drir
 or temper or want of judgment, b'
 something there must be-"
 'I assure you there is nothing, but
 find myself stranded, and so have
 turn to the old business again"
 "Oh, that's it." said the manager, wi
 suspicion in his eye. "How long we
 you in your last billetT'
 "Fifty-one years" , "What!''
 < "Yes, sir, one and fifty years" ] "In the same employ?" "Yes."
 "Why. you must have begun as
 child"
 'I was 12 when joined"
 .'It must be strangely managed bu
 ness," said the manager, (which alloy
 men to leave it who have served for
 years, and who are still as good as eve
 Who did you serve?'
 tsrTho pY1aop haavon h1oSS hor "