The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-19
CHAPTER XXI.
SHE ENTERS UPON HER DUr1r

SIZE IN LEXIS IION HER DUTIES.
did but little on this, the first day of nv
entering upon my strange new duties. The
steward dlstrusted nv sea legs, and lie and
his mate fetched the dishes from the galley
hung about the fore end OF the cuddy, put
the dirty plates In the basket, collected the
knives and forks. went errands to the PAN
try and the like. The picture Of the cuddy
was bright and hearty. Two large illumin-
ated globes, in silver holders, swung under
the ceiling: the light of them flashed in the
mirrors and rppled with the movements Of
the ship in the polished wood work. The
captain sat at the head of the table. the
doctor on his right. Captain Barrett and
Lieutenant ChimmO sat together on the
other side. Once or twice Captain Barrett
screwed the glass into his eve and looked at
me, but MS gaze expressed 10 more than
surprise TO find me at work as cuddy
servant; the others took not the least notice
of me.
Captain Barrett had a loud laugh and n
hearty manner OF speaking; Lieutenant
CbimmO was thin of voice, stited and
affected, so stiff and snobbish as to satisfy
ME he was not born gentleman. / won
dered to find neither Of the mates at the
table, but soon discovered it was the Gus
tom on board thu Chlde Harold for the
mate of the watch to come below and eat
after the captain was DONE the other two
mates joining him when possible so as to
make separate table.
The talk at the beginning was not very
interesting, The convict guard ii seems
had come to the ship from Chatham, and
neither Captain Barrett nor the lieutenant
could say too much in abuse of that place
There was no society; dirt and drink
formed the lie of the town; Deptford,
nay, even SheeTness was sweet and desir-
able compared to Chatham. The doctor
ate and drank water with little wine in
it, and seemed to listen. The captain fire.
Quently lifted his Eyes to the skVlIght as
tl0npl thinking of the th n n
of the officers chatter. Presently Captain
Barrett, leaning across the table, said to the
doctor:
"ChimmO and l have been wondering
whether you'd have any objection, after the
fellows irons are knocked off ! mean, 10
Barney Aaron coming aft to give US a few
lessons in sparring? / daresay. captain,
your sailmakeT could cOntrive to furnish
out an arrangement of canvas and oakum
Tor boXlng-gloveS."
ut would be impossible to imagine any
objection stronger than mine TO your sugges-
ton" answered the doctor
Ihere'd be always sentry on hand, you
know" said Lieutenant Chinmo.
Let us change the subject" said the doc
tor severely.
CAPTAIN Barrett looked at the doctor with
slight sheer and said, Wen not talk of
bring Barney Aaron aft; Wen talk of Bar
ney Aaron as he is. Pity so much talent
should go wrong.s Transport your falOniuus
II.
he added, with significant look at the doc
tor, land the rest OF the plentiful mobs ;
there'd always then be too many to spare
But to send such & priZe-fghter as Barney
Aaron out of the kingdom to ship him Into
a country where there'll be nobody to ap-
preciate himl by heaven, it's as bad as rob-
bling the crown of England of jewelr'
The captain observing that the doctor did
not like this talk changed the subject by
speaking of the fine progress the ship was
making. AT this moment | was sent to the
pantry by the steward. When | returned |
heard Lieutenant ChimmO say, What
would those chaps under matches give for n
taste of that curried fowl? Your cooks a
neat hand, captain"
1.-THE provisions served out to the con-
victs IRE Internally bad" said Captain Bar
rett.
They are not good, but they may be
eaten, as Charles XII said to the soldier who
showed him some moidy pieces of bread"
exclaimed the doctor.
"A such a able as this" said Lieutenant
Chimmu, "a man can take a DhilosophiC
view OF the tastes and appetites of people
who are not present"
"Convicts are rs we'll fed as Sailors" said
CAPTAIN Sutherland.
Pa rather be a convict than sailor"
said Captain Barrett.
Ones tother more often than not" OBJ
served Lieutenant Chimmo. astonishing
what lot of rascals sail afore the mast"
rake care that whisper don't get for