The morning call., 1894-05-13

Where's she going? = and for how
long~ was Franks response, and hi
heart beat Just trifle faster than it had
before.
1.-The Atlantic" Captain Boomsby an
swered to the first question; but he felt
called upon to smoke his pipe rather Wig
orously ana gave The young fellow before
him sharp cover glance as he hesiialed
in giving the further information-"'
two year. Ever been TO sea? ?" he added
quickly.
'.Pve sailed on the lakes"
"Humph! Captain Boomsby shifted,
with contempt; and for the moment
Frank feared that his chances for becom-
ing one of the crew of the Emerald were
slim indeed.
But the captain evidently thought better
of the matter as he regarded the strong,
athletic form of the young fellow before
him.
Come along" he exclaimed, leading
Frank up Union street. where they ntered
low-eeilinged clothing g-store. and the
captain produced a formda ble.looking
document from his inside pocket
You don't deserve morn the lay of a
green hand" the skipper Of the Emerald
began-''share, | s'pose you'd call it. But
FL give you the reg'lar one hundred and
seventy-ffth, same's the rest of the reg'lar
crew. Sign ihem."
Frank grasped the proffered pen, with
hand that would tremble little. made a
few sQueaky scratches, aud the deed was
done.
A sort of indefnable change came over
Captain BOomsby's manner as he butoned
the shipping papers inside his coat. He
cautioned Frank 10 be aboard sharp and
early in the morning. He then left him to
the tender mercies OF the clothing SHARK"
to select an outfit.
The skippor's manner. however, became
clearly definabe before the tug cast off the
next day. Frank found him to be not
only tartar, but the cream of tartar, if
The writer may be allowed the expression.
He stamped up and down the quarter of
the little vessel, looking for all the world
a dissipated pirate chief in his low sea
boots. slouch hat and red flannel shirt,
while the language which he used would
have put to blush the first mate of the late
CAPTAIN Kidd.
Our hero and a young German named
Fritz were The only two really sober men,
bers of the crew. so they, with the mates,
did most OF the pulling and hauling, and
they were the least favored with the cap
tan's remarks, yet many was the time
that the color came TO Franks cheeks and
he was on the point of forgetting his posi-
ton.
For the benefit of those who have not
heard whaling captains address to his
u i
icle Captain Boomsby's.
When watcbrs had been chosen Captain
Boomsby bit off huge chew from a very
dirty-looking plug OF tobacco, eyed the as
sembled men moment, and then deliv-
cred the following brief yet pertinent re-
marks:
$50, men, here we're bound off on
cruise again. Some o. you fellows have
sailed with me afore. Them as mas knows
my ways. can lick any man aboard.
won't have no fault-fndin' or growlin': so
carry yourselves accordin'." (He glanced
toward Frank and young Portuguese
with a por,entous scowD. There's two
O. you what's green hands. The quicker
they learns to take holt an do ther share
the better for 'em. They needn't look for
no fayors. That's all. Port watch, 20 be-
low"
The forecaStle was Illuminated by a
small, smoky lamp which burned black fish
oil, giving off a most offensive smell: /:
whereas Frank had supposed that here.
at least, the best oil would be consumed.
But, on the same principle that SHOE
maker wears poor shoes. most of the
whalers burn the poorest oil.
At first Frank was doubtful If his
stomach would ever refrain from nearly
turning inside out when he dropped down
into the crews stuffy quarters. The men
with whom he was thrown were mostly
Portuguese, though there was scattering
of Kanakas.
Frank also found out incidentally, after
the Emerald was well among the Cape de
Verde Islands, that he had shipped for a
period of four instead OF two years.
For few moments he felt an uncom-
Portable chill run down the back of his
neck. and then an inclination. which was
almost irresistibls. to 90 aft and have it
out with Captain Boomsby then and
there.
But whose fault was 1t, anyway? Frank
remembered with regret, that. sailorlike,
he had signed the papers without reading
them through. unfortunately taking Cap
tain Boomsby's word for the duration Of
| the voyage, and undertaking the worth of
a quick, athletic young fellow ia time
| when hands were scarce.
"YO' seek eh 9D In tha Taacan b0at.