The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-18
DISCRETION.


the sleeping town of Gravescnd at a
good six knots per hour
There had been little discussion on
the way between her crew and the engi-
neer, who down in his grimy little en-
CINE room did his own stocking and
everything else necessary. Tho crow,
consisting of captain, mate and boy,
who were doing their first trip OH n
steamer, had been transferred Mt the
last moment from thoir sailing barge
the Witch, and found to their discom-
fort that the engineer, who had not OK
pccted to sail so soon, was terribly and
abusiycly 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. barge" he shouted, popping
up like jack III the box, after brief
cessation Of hostilitics.
Don't take no notice Of 'im," said
the mate "'E's got bottle of brandy
down there, an he's 'alf mad
IF knew anything of them blessed
engines. growlcd tho skipper, I'D 20
an hit i'm over the head
"But you DON'T said the mate,
land neither do l, so you'd better keep
quiet"
"You think you re n fine follow, CON
tinued the engineer, standing up there
an playing with that little wheel You
think you re doing all the work WHAT'S
that boy doing? Send him down to
stoke"
go down." said the skipper, grin
ming with fury, and the boy reluctantly
obcyed.
You think" said the engineer pa
thctically after he had cuifcd the bows
head and dropped him down below by
the scrutf of his neck. "you think be-
cause I've Eot black face I'm not n
man. There's many Il holly face 'idos n
good art ;"
II don't think nothing about it, I"
grunted the skipper. "You do your
work, and III do mine"
Don't you give me none of your
back answers" beloved tho engineer,
COS l won't ave 'eln
The skipper shrugged his shoulders
and exchanged Chances with his sy1npa-
thetio mate "Wait till 1 get i'm
ashore" he murmured.
THE b'iler is Wore out" said the en-
gineer, reappearing after n hasty dive
below. 1T may bust at any moment. "
AS though to confirm his words, fear
full sounds were heard proceeding from
below.
Its only the boy" said the mate.
"He's scarcd-natural'
II Thought it was the b'ilcr, " said the
skipper, with sigh of relief 1T was
loud enough. "
AS he spoke the boy got his head ont
OF the hatchway, and rendered desperate
with fear fairly fought his way past the
engineer and gained the deck
Every good" said the engineer ;,s he
followed him OH deck and staggered to
the side. 1--WE had enough O. you lot Z"
Hadn't You better go down to them
engines" shouted the skipper
cam l your slave?" demanded the
engineer tcarfully. Tell me that-im
| your slave?"
Go down and do your work like IA
sensible man, was the reply.
AT these words the engineer took UNI
bragg at once, and scowling fercely re-
moved his greasy jacket and flung his
cap Oh the deck. He then finished the
brandy which he had brought up with
him and gazed owlishly ut 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
tho skipper, "and I'll send the boy to
you with bucket and some soap. -
"Bucket!' replied the engineer scorn-
fully us he moved to the side. "I'm 60
ing to have proper wash"
Hold him. roarcd the skipper sud
denly. Hold him.
The mate, realizing the situation,
rushed to seize him, but the engineer,
with mad laugh, put his hands OH the
side and vaulted into the water. When
he rose, the steamer was 20 yards ahead.
Go astarn" yelled the mate
How can go astarn when there's
nobody ut the enginos?" shouted the
skipper rs he hung onto the wheel and
brought the boats head sharply around.
"Git line ready"
The mate, with coil of rope in his
hand, rushed to the side, but his bcnev-
client efforts were frustrated by the eli
ginecr, who, seeing the boats head
making straight for him, saved his life
by nh opportunc dive. The steamer
rushed by.
Turn or ag'in" screamed the mate
The captain was already doing so, and
i'll remarkably short space of time the
boat, which had described complete
circle. was making again for the ongi-
necr.
Look ont for the line, " shouted the
mate warningly.