Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-07-26

b a g e, the
Bulldog, steamed past the sleeping
town of Gravesend at a good six knots
per hour.
There had been little discussion
on the way between her crew and the
engineer, who, down in his grimy
little engine room, did his own stocking
and everything else necessary. The
crew, consisting of captain, mate, and
boy, who were doing their first trip on
a steamer, had been transferred at the
last moment from their sailing-barge,
the Witch, and found to their discom-
fort that the engineer, who had not
expected to sail so soon, was terribly
and abusively drunk. Every moment
he could spare from his engines he
thrust the upper part of his body
through the small hatchway and
rowed with his commander.
'Ahoy, bargee," he shouted, popping
up like jack-in-the-box, after brief
cessation of hostilities.
Don't take no notice of i'm" said
the mate. les got bottle of brandy
down there, an he's 'alf mad
''IfI kne$5 anything O. them blessed
engines" growled the skipper, I'D go
an hit i'm over the head"
but you don't" said the mate, land
neither do 1, SO you'd better keep
quiet"
You think you're fine Teller. "
continued the engineer, standing up
there an playing with that little
wheel. You think you're doing all the
work. What's the boy doing? Send
him down to stoke"
go down." said the skipper, grin
ming with fury, and the boy reluctant
1y obeyed.
You think" said the engineer, pa
thetically, after he had cuffed the
boys head and dropped him down be-
low by the scruff of his neck, you
think because I'vegot black face I'm
not man. There's many a.hoiiy face
'ides good art"
Il don't think nothing about it,"
.grunted the skipper; you do your
work, and III do mine"
Don't you give me none of your
back answers" beloved the engineer,
."cos 1 won't ave EN-"
The skipper shrugged his shoulders,
and exchanged chances with his ym-
pathetic mate. 'Wait till l get i'm
ashore" he murmured.
THE biler is wore out said the en-
.gineer, reappearing after hasty dive
below. ut may bust at any moment. ~
As though to confirm his words, fear
full sounds were heard proceeding from
ITS only the boy" said the mate;
hes scared-natural.";
81 thought it was the biler," said the
skipper, with a sigh of relief. at was
loud enough"
As he spoke the boy got his head out
of the hatchway, and, rendered des-
perate with fear, fairly fought his way
past the engineer, and gained the deck.
Very good,' said the engineer, as
he followed him on deck and stag
gered to the side. I've had enough o.
you lot"
Hadn't you better go down to them
engines" shouted the skipper.
lam 1 your slave?" demanded the
engineer. tearfully. Tell me that.
Am your slave?"
go down and do your wprl like q
sensible man." was the replyE
At these words the engineer took
umbrage at once, and, scowling fierce
1y, removed his greasy jacket and
flung his cap on the deck. He then
finished the brandy which he had
brought up with him, and gazed owl
ishly at the Kentish shore.
I'm going to have wash" he said,
loudly, and, sitting down, removed his
boots.
go down to the engines first" said
the skipper, land I'll send the boy to
you with a bucket and some soap"
Bucket" replied the engineer,
sscornfully, as he moved to the side.
Pm going to have proper wash"
Hold him. roared the skipper. sud-
denly. Hold him.
The mate. realizing the situation,
rushed to seize hiN, but the engineer,
with a mad laugh, put his hands on
the side and vauited into the water.
When he rose the steamer was twenty
yards ahead.
go astarnp' yelled the mate.
''How can l go astarn when there's
nobody at the engines?" shouted the
skipper as he hung on to the wheel
and brought the boats head sharply
around. Get line ready
The mate, with a coil of rope in his
hand, rushed to the side. but his bene-
VIOLENT efforts were frustrated by the
engineer, who, seeing the boats head
znaking straight for him, saved his life