Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-18
CAME ABOARD OFF FLATTERy.
How Norwegian Bark Got ~ New
Master in Rough weather

Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Something was wrong with the papers
OF the Norwegian bark Record which
arrived Sunday at Port Townsend from
Talcahuano, Guatemala. DR.. Kuhn. Of the
Puget Sound Health Board, could not
understand II. He boarded the Record
on her arrival and began examining the
ships papers. The crew list did not tally
with the men known TO be on board.
After puzzling over IT for some time Dr.
Kuhn spoke TO one Of the crew.
Where's the captain?' he asked.
THE captain2' was the Response Of
the mate addressed; (which captain"
Which captain? Why, Captain Oiesop,
to be sure
yes, l know, but which Captain Ole
son?'
Or. Kuhn was mystiied. Bring me
the man who navigated the ship from
Talcahuano," he said impatently.
The mate laughed and went away. Soon
he returned with Captain OlesOn. The
face OF the man who naygated the
Record from Talcahuano was wreathed
in smiles. There was evidently some
mystery. The doctor was resolved that
no attempted pleasantries should turn him
from a thorough Investigation.
Are you the master Of this yessel?" he
asked impressively
II was until we got to Cape Flattery
last Friday" said the Captain, winking
surreptitiously at the mate.
What happened thenY DR.. Kuhn
spoke with enforced calmness.
We'll" another surreptitous wink,
when we got off Flattery a gale came
up and while the wind was bowling In
the rigging, and the waves We're climb
ing over the rail and trying TO steal a
ride. a stranger came aboard. He came
right in the midst OF it He wasn't hurt
n bit. From the first minute he showed
up / was out OF Il. He was boss then
he's boss now, and for all / can tell he'll
be boss for long time
The health officer looked from captain
10 mate and from mate 10 captain
What's this fellows name2' His voice
was soft. II these men were crazy, he
wished TO soothe them by every means
in his power When tho answer came
from both sailors simultaneously, cole
SON." the Doctor felt more than ever the
need OF gentle speech. 80" he said,
this mans name Is Oieson. He came
aboard in a storm. He's master OF the
ship. Can you take me 10 this man?
am the health officer, you know, and
must see him"
The mate nudged the captain, and the
captain nudged the mate. linen both
laughed and said, Come on" They led
the doctor down 10 the cabin. At the
entrance both paused and looked back
The physician was a brave man, but such
an extraordinary preceding was begin
ming 10 tell on HIS nerve. He recalled the
stories he had read Of pirate crews; iaur-
ders I'm cabins such as the one he was
about to enter; OF trap doors through
which one plunged headlong INTO A 1lthv
hold there 10 be murdered by waiting
cutthroats Then he followed the captain
and mate into the cabin and looked about
cautiously.
A door opened off the cabin into the
Captains room. On the Captains bunk
lay a woman. and on the woman's breast
was a tiny bit of animated flesh. n baby.
Here We are, Doctor" cried the CAPTAIN.
striding TO the bunk and tenderly turning
aside a portion Of the covering that the
little face. with the bright laughing eyes.
might be seen. Here's Captain Oleson.
Here's the fellow that came aboard in
the storm. Here's the fellow that runs
the ship-God grant that he ever NAV.
And here's his mother my wife" Dr.
Kuhn bowed feebly. Then the baby be-
gan to crow gleefully, and the little grcup
in the cabin laughed with the dimlnutive
captain OF the Norwegian bark Record.
He had been born at sea on friday,
November 9TH. while the vessel was labor
ing Off Cape Flattery in one of the most
furious storms OF the year.