The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21

"My good"
"It's time to wake up; so l thought of
the Fleet. When there is nothing else do
ing every one thinks of the Fleet; and II
you have berth ready for me to jump into,
why, I'm your man, He had suddenly set
more than a ballast value on himself. 1t
showed that Harrington was still mercu-
rial.
"Wen," said. Genth, "a vessel came in
this afternoon, the Comet. One of the
men, deckhand, was injured by the
boom. You can go in her if you like:
Harrington looked by no means elated.
1t was evident that one of the last things
He had hoped for something better, an
easier job, perhaps a loan. ''Im sure, !" he
said, II don't know whether I'm strong
enough. could try it,"
"You could, +" said Genth, grimly. "If you
give this note to John Holmes, the'skipper
of the Comet, he'll take you"
"Thankee, said Harrington, but by no
means gracefully. Then he stood mo
ment, fidgeted and coughed.
"Yes, said Genth, who easily read these
tokens, "I'll advance you months pay.
Here is half; the rest I'll send to your
wife. If she wants more while you are at
sea she shall have it.
"Why can't 1 take the LOTT" asked Har
rington querulously. Cant you trust me?'
I'm afraid not"
"Good afternoon" said the budding
''Stop a minute" said Genth. "Take
the money I thought you might be
tempted. And now listen, Tom. Ii you
do go / wish you luck. Make one trip and
directly your foot again touches Herring
bourne quay l will find you something
better. Here is my hand on it,"
The angry flush on Harrington's face
died away, the shifty look in his eyes van
ished, and his form suddenly Strengthened
came back, his shoulders dropped, and
muttering something, he shambled out:
When he was gone Genth restlessly paced
the office. His successful rival had come
to this. He thought of a little house on
the hill and garden overlooking the sea-
where old Ned Hall, the retired master of
the floating light, had eked out his pension
and his life; and sweet Nelly Hall OF the
laughing blue eyes and chestnut hair.
Were those eyes now dim, the cheeks care
worn, the fingers? With a sigh he
closed his books, put the key in the office
door, and, paler than usual stepped out
upon the pavement.
Contrary to Genth Hurley's expectations
Tom Harrington took the berth offered
him. A week after the interview in the
Office he sailed in the Comet for the fishing
long and dreary to those at sea, soon pass
ashore. To Genth, in the Office, time few.
The morning the Comet was due again
found him nervously pacing the quay. He
had found desk for him in the Office, and
under his own eye Harrington should COM
mence the new life. Though Genth S
mind was busy his eyes kept straying down
the harbor; and at last he heard the pant,
pant of a tug and saw her red-banded fun
mel passing the lower ferry. Astern was a
dandy-rigged trawler. Scores of smacks
and luggers were already moored at
the quayside, and what with scandal
lied sails, masts shrouds and dangling
halliards 1t was minute or two before
he could make her out. When the snake
like coil of the tow-rope was cast off and
the tug sheered out Genth saw the new
conner was the Comet. He made a step
forward, then stopped as if he had been
shot. His eyes were glued to her rigging.
She was flying her flag half-mast hight 1t
was not the first time Genth had beheld
that ominous sign, but now it turned him
faint. In his mind ran one thought--sup-
pose it was flying for Tom Harrington!
He stood for minute fascinated, then
walked gloomily back to the Office. He
sat there with his face buried in his hands,
when the opening of the door, the sound
of sea boots, and the voice of Holmes,
aroused him. II ken see, owner" he said,
"you ha' been on the quay"
"TeI me-" said Genth with dry lips,
''whom have you lost?"
The skipper OF the Comet passed large
hand through his oakum-textured hair.
"WeH, owner" he said slowly, "I'u speak
the truth. "Twor this way: The wind
were east"
sin Gods name!n cried Genth, "who is
it?"
'To sail straight to the pint, owner, it's
the new deck chap"
Genth looked at him helplessly. Har-
rington! He had made all his little plans
and greater hand than his had swept
them away. "When did this take placer"
he asked.
1.-The night afore last We wor a-comin'
home" said Holmes, directing his gaze to a
nautical almanac and telling his tale to it
as it hung on nail, evil the wind east
breast; l had jest fixed the port an star
board lights an wos taking spell at the
tiller. All of a student [ sees great green
sea a-comin', which / knew we'd ship, an
| sung out to the chaps to keep below
Just as the words passed my lips some one
popped out O. the hoodway (companion)
The sea an him must ha' touched the Com
cts deck at the same time, an afore I could
clutch him he wos swept over the starboard
rail. / hulled belt at him an put the til
Ter up. Almost as sune as we gat about,
ONAl OOno Woo ldhllOhCuj oil pllO Clld pS were
in her. They pulled like madmen; but you
know, owner, how fast drowndin' man
drifts to wind ard. They could never git
nigh him; an when picked the crew o.
the boat up they wor done for, They
couldn't ha' pulled another stroke for the
Indies. An the deck chap wos gone. All
we, picked up. wos this" He held up a
soiled sou'wester.
"You must report it." said Genth, heav-
ilp-"it's all you can do now"
Holmes nodded and slouched away
When he was gone Genth went to his desk
and drew from it sheet of note paper. On
it was written the number of ''row.'
"And must break the news" he said.
On bleak January afternoon, two years
Later, man came through the tollgate. To
save mile or so, he had reached Herring
bourne by a cherries, treeless cut called
the New Road. He was thin and bearded.
His clothes were shabby and his steps I'M
certain. As he rendered the half-penny toll
his fingers burned like fire. The sun went
down as he came through the gate, and the
traveller shivered. An easterly wind was
blowing. 1t lay in wait for him as he
rounded corner and roaring gust brought
him up gasping for breath, But still he
YEARLY plodded ON. At last he stopped
before a ''row," went up it, and then
stopped again in front OF house with