Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-02
CHAPTER VIII.


Inc youngster was buying his expert
ence pretty dearly these days.
CHAPTER VIII.
After that first trip to the upper regions
Paul rather enjoyed the order to LAY
aloft." Being light and active his station
was at the extreme end Of the yard on the
main-to -gallants.' Here resting on the
footrope and grasping the jackstay he
would stand and look down on the deck,
which, from that height appeared like the
back Of huge snake wriggling through
the water. With so much weight above IL
seemed impossible for the ship to MANI tain
her equilibrium while blowing through the
waves. Sometimes he would close his eyes
and try to believe the boat was keeling
over but she always righted when he
opened them again.
1t was inevitable that the bright little
English miss should, sooner or later, dis
cover Paul's identity in the young sailor
whose duties often called him to that por-
ton, Of the deck abaft the wheelhouse held
sacred to saloon passengers.
AS a matter of fact his story had already
been discussed at the saloon table One Of
the circus performers, having noticed the
lads resemblance to their former fellow
passenger, CHANGED to mention the circum-
| stance in the presence of the mate, who, of
course. explained away the mystery. Cos
sip in restricted quarters spreads rapidly
Any incident is news on shipboard. So that
PauPs sudden trahsposition furnished ma
terial for speculation to the entire cabin
some sympathized with the youngsters am
bition to see the world; few expressed the
opinion that he would better be at steady
| work, while Several limited significantly
that perhaps the young scapegrace had good
reasons for leaving America. uncharltable
people like the latter are always to be met
but fortunately they are in a blessed minor
fly. Those who had been on speaking terms
with the lad were prompt to reject a sug-
gestion so palpably absurd and unjust.
In Miss Ethel Paul unconsciously found
warm defender. Some one in her hearing
having referred slightingly to her qaondam
companion. with the fearlessness OF youth
ed the Implied slur.
1t was shortly after a discussion of this
nature that his champion met Paul face to
face as the latter stood coiling ropes ends
starboard quarter. aft.
Four or five days had elapsed since Hon.
olulu had been left behind and this was
their first meeting Several times Ethel Ia
acquaintance, but Paul had always evaded
her approach. 1t was now impossible to
avoid her without appearing positively rude
You don't know how surprised / was to
find you back here again." she excls imed
in q breath. as IL anxious to save him any
explanations: but I am sure it's all right
and I'm awfully glad you didn't stay in
Honolulu"
you are very kind. Miss Ethel" he muir
INJURED. keeping his eyes fixed on the rope
he continued coiling. The truth is" he
blurted, suddenly meeting her sympathetic
gaze, I'm trying to see bit of the world.
and as my money gave out started in to
work my way as far as i could"
And quite proper, too. am sure"
That's what thought. 1t isn't so very
easy" he confessed half laughinsly, land
not nearly 30 pleasant as when / was a
passenger. but don't mind it now I'm get
ting used to the work. How is your mann
ma? Does she still keep her cabin?'
"Oh, my. yes: and Jones' too. Capt Dear
| born threatened this morning to have them
| both carried on deck by force II they didn't
| try to get up. but, Of course. he was only
| joking. You don't know how / miss our
walks and talks" she added. wisttully
You are very good to say so, Miss Ethel"
returned Paul, as he threw the last coil over
the pin where it belonged. Il wish-but no.
| pleasant thought always. though, to know
| that you enjoyed our short acquaintance s.
| Then, as he spied the form of the second
mate coming toward them. he hastily doffed
| his hat, and crossed to the port side. where
more unceiled ropes awaited his dexterous
manipulation.
| The second mate stil had II in for Paul.
| and took IL upon himself to make life on
shipboard as burdensome as possible to the
| lad. When he was in charge of the deck
Paul was sure to get the meanest and most
| obnoxious duties assigned to him, regard
| less of his adaptability to the work and II
| young sailor was deluged with curses by
| way Of reward for his pains.
These unpleasant attentions became SO
marked that the usually unimpressionable
sailors forming the port watch declared the
little bulldog took q special dislike to Paul
| because he was gentleman Among them
| selves he was simply Chicago" the only
title by which they addressed him. and
that he was a general favorits with ali was
proof positive that the attitude OF the sec
| ond mate was wholly unwarranted
| So far Paul had been able to maintain a
| perfectly respectful exterior toward his
| tyrant, although on several occasions he
was sorely tempted to rebel. But his phil
! osophy had nerved him to accept the situa-
ton meekly. and he had determined that
nothing should induce him to talk back
But there are limits to ones most patient
| endurance, as Paul was fated to discover
| Scarcely had he begun to coil the tangled
ropes that lay on the port deck when the
| bulldog bore down upon him.
| "What were YOU CHM that eirl for 20,