Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-09-15
arserfinn.
BY W. W. JACOBS.

"i was Juo1 Using as Tue
small tute-like steamer, or, to be
more correct, steam barge, the Bull.
dog, 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 lit
tie 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 steamer, had been
transferred at the last moment from
their sailing barge, the Witch, and
found to :heir discomfort that the
engineer, who had not expected to
sail SO soon, was terribly and abu-
sively drunk.
Every moment he could spare from
his engines be thrust the upper part
of his body through the hatchway
and rowed with his commander.
"Ahoy, barge" he shouted, pop
ping up like jack in the box, after
a cessation of hostilities.
"Don't take no notice of 'im," said
the mate. "E's got a bottle of
brandy down there, an he's half
mad"
"If knew anything of Them bl, S.
sed engines" growled the skipper,
I'D 60 an it him over the head"
But you DON'T" said the mate,
San neither do I, so you'd better
keep quiet"
=" You think you're Gne fellow"
continued the engineer, standing
up there and playing with that little
wheel. You think you are doing all
the work. What's that boy doing !?
Send him down to stoke"
" Go down." said the skipper, grin
ming with fury, ard the boy reIuct-
antly obeycd.
You think" said the engineer
pathetically, after he had cuffed the
boys head and dropped him down
below by the scruff of his neck, 'syou
think because I'm got black face,
I'm not man. There's many a
holly face hides a good art"
don't think nothing about il ;"
grunted the skipper. "You do your
work, an Ill do mine"
Don't you give me any of your
back answers" beloved the engi-
neer, 'cos I won't ave 'em."
The skipper shrugged his should
ers and exchanged glances with his
sympathetic mate. Wait till | get
i'm ashore" he murmured.
The bi'ler is worn out" said the
engineer, rcappearing after a hasty
dive below.
AS though to confirm his words
fearful sounds were heard proceed
ing from below.
cts only the boy" said the mate.
"He's scared-natural."
Il thought it was the b'iler," said
the skipper, with sigh of relief.
sit was loud enough"
AS be spoke the boy got lis head
out of the hatchway, and rendered
desperate with fear fairly fought bis
way past the engineer and gained
the deck.
every good,' said the engineer as
he followed him on deck and stagger-
ed the side. @I've had enough o.
you lot"
Hadn't you better go down to
them engines ?" shouted the skip
per.
Am your slave 2" demanded
the engineer tcarfully. "Tell me
that-am l your slave ?"
eco down and do your work like
sensible man. was the reply.
At these words the engineer took
umbrage at ones, and scowline fierce
ly removed his greasy jacket and
fang his cap on the deck. He then
finished the brandy he lad brought
up with linn ard gazed owlishly at
the Kentisn shore.
Pm goin' to haze a wash,' he
said, loudly, and sitting down re-
moved his boots.
Go down to the engine first"
said the skipper, and I'll send the
boy to you with a bucket and some
SOAP
Bucket replied The engineer
scornfully as he moved to the side.
"I'm going TO have a proper wash
I" Held him. roared the skipper
suddenly, Hold him"
Tie mate, realized the situation,
rushed to seize him, but the engineer
with a mad laugh, put his hands on
the side and vaulted into the water
When he arose, the steamer was &c
yards ahead.
SEQ asiarn !" yelled the mate.
&c Ho- o,n no oxfarn uhor