The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-19


they call the smasheT--a little gray-haired
man with the kindest of faces and speaks
as soft rs pouring out milk; he's Jagged for
one OF them awful crimes that amt men
tlOnahle IN the presence of females. There's
q play actor-dunno what right he's got
down there. Thew sails under false col
ors-dessay if he'd got his right name yei
find him some one as had been tiptop at
Drury Lane and the best of theay ters.
There's quiet, distinguishing chap.
what that was Sinking ship by making
holes IN her."
The p' cried the woman. II hope
they Il not give him chance with his tricks
here"
Pm sorry for that chap somehow" said
the soldier. "If was painter I'd like to
draw his picture. I'll point him out some
time or other and then you take notice, jim,
of his melancholy face. One picks UP lot
on sentry"
"a bad lot" said another soldier, spit
ting.
listened eagerly and ionged passionately
to ask questions, but burst not Yet l might
be sure that the soldier smoke OF Tom and |
loved the fellow for speaking Of him kindly,
and it was another proof that my sweet
heart was in the ship.
A child came and stood in front of ME
and looked mp into my face. 1t was
pretty little girl. | stopped and patted her
cheek and kissed her, took her BY the
hands and jumped her into a little dance
which kept her laughing. ! knew which
was the child's father by tie pleased look
one OF the soldiers regarded me with. 1t
was the man who had spoken kindly Of
Tom. When l found this out kissed the
child again and talked to her about the ship
and the sea. l observed that my manners
and speech controlled the listeners. They
all knew | was q runaway stOwaway, and
though they could know no more they might
suspect great deal more; and yet they
viewed me respectfully aud talked with
sort of civil reference tome us though | was
gentleman listening.
The lights were burning very red, but
gradually dimmng in the west, and the
sides of the seas slipped away from under
the ship in hard dark-green slopes, laced
with spray, and the frOth of their heads
was family colored by the sunset. the
heel of the ship WAS sharp, and she broke
through the pillows in thunder There was
a mighty noise of whistling and raving
aOft, and the strange shrill snrieking of the
foaming aId dissolving salt alongside made
me wonder what that sound in the wind
was.
An apprentice came off the poop and
struck bell, suspended this side of the
quarterback baTricade. a minute or two
later a convict passed through the door of
the main hatch and placed himself beside
the sentry; a second and then a third
emerged until a a considerable number of
men had assembled. They formed in n
close packed column which stretched about
half way to the cOnvicts' gallery; the soldier
with whose child | played seeing me looking
at the COnyictS, exclaimed They're get
ing their supper. Theme the messmeu.
AS Ine fellows receive their cocoa or whate'er
it he, from the galley, they carries il below,
one by one"
imagined that Tom might be among that
set of convicts and made movement vith
the idea of walking some distance forward
where | should be able tOs see; but l stopped
myself on rejecting that the doctor was
probably at The pOOp-rail overhead look
ing on.
''Tain't bad discipline taking it all
round" said the soldier, speaking to all who
chose 10 listen, though l seemed to find his
remarks intended for my amusement and
enlightenment. IT'S mostly settled aboard
the hulks before the parties come aboard.
So I'm told. The cOnyiets they think proper
10 trust are made petty officers Of. There's
first and second captains, captains of
divisions. captains Of wards. Then some of
them are made cooks OF, t'others BARRIERS
and every mess has its head. With this
sort of arrangement they keeps each other
in order"
DO any privileges go along with these
appointments" asked one Of ths Tiers.
The privilege OF being appointed"
l listened but asked no questions; | dared
not exhibit interest, | could not forget that
these soldiers formed a portion OF the con-
victs' guard.
II notice" said one of the soldiers, THAT
they put themthere malefaetors to all sorts
Of ships work. They were helping the
sailors wash the deck down this morning;
they work hard as though dedicated under
the muzzle of the carbine. a sight of differ
ence there was 'twixt the sailors scrubbing
and their'n."
l was watching the convcts while |
listened TO tie soldiers talk, when some one
inside Of the cuddY called out "Marlowe." l
forgot my fesned name and did not
respond. The voice again called, on which
with start l looked through the euddy
door and saw the steward.
81 reckoned as muchw said he with
laugh. "Taint every purser's name as fits
like old boots. Step this way"
| entered. Just then the doctor came
down the companion steps at the end of the
cuddy and entered an after cabin on the
port side. He paused moment as though
to observe me but did not speak. A young
man, whom l supposed to be an under
steward, was lighting the cabin lamps. but
there still lived wild flush of western light
and you saw plainly by it,
The steward began by informing me that
mad no business on the ship, and that by
slowing myself away on board a convict
ship | rsked the chance OF being made a
felOn, OF receiving six dozens at tie gang
way, OF beng hanged at the yardarm. In
thus reasSuring me he gave himself the airs
of the captain of the ship. He then added:
However, | likes your looks. as ] told you
before, and I've put in good word for You
with Captain Sutherland, who | NAV tell
you, don't think any the worse of young
ster Ike you for sQuarIng I'D as he's heard
you've done to the doctor. The doctor HIM
self owned to the captain" said he, lower
ing his voice and looking aft toward the
surgeons cabin, that he got rather more
from you than he knew what to do with"
He then abruptly inquired ii l possessed
any clothes besides those l wore. | an
swered that did not
Got any money!"
How much ought to want?"
How much ha' ye got?" said he.
All shall need on my arrival" said l.
He looked puzzled, eyed me all over, then
approaching me by step he exclaimed with
an earnest, confidential face, "Jokin' apart,
young man, who are you and what is your
object IN cutting this here caper?" Finding
did not reply he continued, you're to
have all the money you want when you ar
rive. And you haven't money enough to
pay your passage to get what's awaiting
for your, he paused. well, now, see
here you've got no business ab4aId and
you stood TO be whipped and youAstoOd to
be hanged for hiding in Government
transport, ou've got to he fed and, gent
or no gent, you must work.
u am willing ana anxious to work"
The captains handed you over to me-
There plenty of hands forrard; most of
them about as sarvcabe at n pinch as
you'd be likely to prove. We're short OF a
man aft. and you'll do for the post. Can
you wait at table?"
'I'il try"
well, you may rise to it.. Wen see.
You'll be wanted to carry the dirty dishes
forrard for the cook's mate TO wash, TO help
bring the dishes along from the galley and
to hang about here while the officers are
eating ready to run to the galley on
errands."
I'm do all that Willingly" said |.
He then told me that the second steward
slung bis hammock next door to the pantry
in the steerage but that as there vera two
mr. I
welcome 10 use bunk in the one in which
l had been locked up. LAS for bed" said
he, you'd better ask the sailmaker TO give
you piece of old canvas aud the butcher
TO give you bundle Of straw; you'll get all
The mattress you'll want out of that. If /
can meet with a stray blanket you shall
ha 'e 1t. That pilot jacket. though a good
coat, amt quite up 10 the knocker for table