Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-01-09
the mutinous crew had retired for COOL


ness got more and more stuffy until at
length even the scorching deck seemed
preferable, and the girl. with faint
hope of finding shady corner, went Ian
guidly up the common ladder.
For some time the skipper sat alone
pondering gloomily over the state Of
affairs as he smoked his short pipe. He
was aroused at length from his apathy
by the sound of the companion noisily
closed, while loud frightened cries and
hurrying footsteps on deck announced
that something extraordinary was hap
pening. AS he arose to his feet he was
confronted by Kate Rumbolt, who, pant
ing and excited, waved big key before
him.
"I've done it" she cried, her eyes
sparkling
"Done what?'' shouted the mystifed
skipper.
''Let the bear loose said the girl.
''Ha, ha, you should have seen 'em run!
You should have seen the fat sailorp'
''Let the phewl - let the-good
heavens, here's pretty kettle of fish" !"
he choked.
Listen to 'eM shouting" cried the
exultant Kate, clapping her hands.
Just listen!''
''Those shouts are from aloft," said
Hezekiah sternly, ''where you and I
ought to be.
'I've closed the companion, said the
girl reassuringly.
"Closed the companion" repeated
Hezekiah as he drew his knife. ''He
can smash it like cardboard if the fit
takes him. Go in here -
He opened the door of his stateroom.
''Shan't,'' said Miss Rumbolt polite
ly.
go in at once," cried the skipper,
''quick with you.
"Sha'- began Miss Rumbolt again.
Then she caught his eye and went i'll like
lamb. ''You come, too, 2" she said pref
tily.
''I've got to look after my ship and
my men, said the skipper. 81 suppose
you thought tho ship would steer itself,
didn't your
''Mutineers deserve to be eaten, "
whispered Miss Rumbolt piously, some
what taken aback by the shippers de-
meanor
Hezekiah looked at her. ''They're not
mutineers Kate" he said quietly. SIT
was just a piece Of mad folly of mine.
They're as honest set of old sea dogs
as ever breathed, and only hope they
are all safe up aloft. I'm going to lock
you in, but don be frightened; it shan't
hurt you.
He slammed the door on her protests
and locked it, and slipping the key of
the cage in his pocket book took firm
grip of his knife. and running up the
steps gained the deck. Then his breath
came more freely, for the mate, who was
standing a little way up the fore rig
ging, after tempting the bear with his
foot, had succeeded in dropping a moose
over its head The brute made furious
attempt to extricate itself, but the men
hurried down with other lines, and in
short space Of time the bear presented
much the same appearance as the lion in
Hsop's fables, and was dragged and
pushed, heated and indignant mass of
fur, back to its cage.
Having locked up one prisoner, the
skipper went below and released the
other, who passed quickly from some
what hysterical condition to one of such
naughty disdain that the captain was
thoroughly cowed and stood humbly
aside to let her pass
The fat seaman was standing in front
of the cage as she reached it and regard
ing the bear with much satisfaction un-
til Kate sidled up to him and begged
him as personal favor to go in the cage
and undo it.
''Undo it! Why, he'd kill me!''
gasped the fat seaman, aghast at such
simplicity.
''I don't think he would" said his
tormentor, with a bewitching smile,
''and I'll wear lock of your hair all
my life if you do. But you'd better give
it to me before you go in. - 4
II ain't going in, ~ said the fat sailor
shortly.
"Not for me?" inquired Kate archly.
''Not for so like you, +" replied the old
man firmly. HE nearly had me when
he was loose. can't think how he got
out. -
"Why, Z let him out" said Miss
Rumbolt airily. "Just for little rum
How would you like to be shut up all
day."
The sailor was just going to tell her
with more fluency than politeness when
lie was interrupted
ID &l,o xuha
had come behind them. $50 forward,
you. There's been enough of this fool
ing; the lady thought you had taken the
ship. Thompson, I'll take the helm.
There's little wind coming. Stand by
there"
He walked aft and relieved the steers
man, awkwardly conscious that tho men
were becoming moro and more interest
ed in tho situation, and also that Kate
could hear some of their remarks. AS he
pondered over the subject and tried to
think of way out Of it the cause of all
the trouble came and stood by him.
''Did my father know Of this?" she in
quired
ST don't know that he did exactly"
Sttiu tuS ShlppSI ItIOetolly. Juoo WIN
him not to expect you back tonight. "
"And what did he say?" said she.
''Said he wouldn't sit up" said the
skipper, grinning despite himself. Kate
drew breath the length of which BODIED
no good to her parent and looked over
the side.
81 was afraid of that traveller chap
from Ipswich - said Hezekiah after a
pause "Your father told me he was
hanging around you again, SO l thought
well, l was blamed fool anyway"
''See how ridiculous you have made
me look before all these men,, said the
girl angrily.
They've been with me for years, "
said Hezekiah apologetically, "and the
mate said it was magnificent idea. He
quite roared about it, he did. Wouldn't
have done it with some crews, but we've
had some dirty times together, and
they've stood by me we'll. But of course
that's nothing to do with you. It's been
an adventure I'm very sorry for, very. -
ga pretty safe adventure for you" !"