People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-02-09
'-Qr = COPYRIGHTED BY LBLIpPNcoTT COMPANY
GCHAPTER VI.-CoNTIYUED. I

[CHAPTER VI.-CONTNUED.
Young Mr.. Royal Yardstickie at
tended the meeting, but took no part
in the unseemly wrangle. He selfshly
bided his time, hoping that some one
would suggest that the wager be de-
clared off He would.not make motion
to that effect himself, unless it
seemed positively necessary. They
wrangled thus over nothing for some
time, and then he ventured to speak:
Gentlemen, as we do not know the
number of the boat, it seems to rue the
best way would be to declare all bets
off"
A howl of Indignation and derision
greeted this speech, and instantly a
dozen suggestions were made, which,
as they were all made at once, were
quite unheard. Finally a big fellow,
evidently an American, settled mat
tiers in the usual manner by calling
theunruly meeting to order and ask
ing that a committee be elected to
take the whole matter in charge and
see if the number of the boat could
not be ascertained from the pilot.
This was received with enthusiasm,
and in five minutes Mr.. Royal Yard
Sickle found himself chairman of
committee of three appointed to in
terview the pilot.
In the chart-room overhead sat the
two old seafaring friends. Capt.
Breeze johnson sat with his head rest
ing upon his hands and his thin gray
hair streaming over his bronzed and
knotted fingers. His friend, Capt.
Floyd stood beside him, with one hand
on his pilots shoulder, expressing more
sympathy by the touch of his hand
than by his words. The story had
made deep impression on him, though
he confessed he could not understand
it all.
At that moment there was knock,
and sailor put his head in at the door
TO say that three passengers wished to
see the pilot.
They want to know if you have
New York papers, suppose Shall
let them in?"
''In a minute. Wait till I get the
bearin's O things a bit. Therel | feel
better now. Let 'em come in"
The honorable committee from the
Smolling-roOm entered. The first, who
seemed to be the leader, shrunk back
abashed at sight of the pilot and had
not a word to say As for the pilot, he
seemed to shake himself as a lion
about to spring upon its prey. His blue
eyes flashed, and his big hands were
doubled up as if to strike. Capt. Floyd,
without in the least knowing what it
meant, but quickly guessing the real
errand OF the honorable committee,
stepped before them and said, quickly
Gentlemen, l suppose you have
come to ask the number of the pilot
boat"
One of the committee admitted that
was their errand.
"Wel[ gentlemen, Capt Johnson
Is an officer on my ship, and as
the Captain l forbid you to speak
to him. You may settle your gam
bling debts as best you can, but you
shall not use my officers in any such
contemplate business. Jack, show
those persons out
The sailor, with a grin, held the
door open, and then skunk away, one,
at least thankful to escape unframed
from the room. AS the door closed
upon them the pilot broke out in a
terrible oath:
That is the man! He tricked me
out of my girl-a-beggin' his folks to
invite her to-travel with EN-, and then
keepin' her away from me- Keep me
on the bridge, Captain, keep me on the
bridge, day and night, for l might dan
ger my soul if l had chance to Law
my hands on his mis- able carkis."
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