Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-24

''Is this or d this not tie situation Of
this vessel"
Mr.. Poole bent his head and perceiv.
ed that it was . chart Of the North eea.
Never mind about the ships place. ="
said he soothingly. Are there moro Of
you? Ny vessel waits for u.s."
why don't you answer me.'' ex-
claimed the mailman. STOPPING his face
close to the spot his finger still, rested
upon. "All yesterday was trying to
find il ont. The latitude and longitude's
wrong. Can't FIX o ships situation on
chart rs we'll rs another? I'll pit my
whole stock Of blood against amy mans
as o navigator. No sun to take. for il
was dark all last night. And when
there is q sun he spins like Tyncs;de
grindstone round the horizon. Oh. il
makes me sweat!' he cried. fetching
his naked chest slap that made Mr.
Poole skip Q pace or two clear of him.
Let me deal with him, SIR" said
the sailor, whispering hoarsely into the
second mates ear. eve got brother.
in-law that's locked up. You must match
artfulness with artfulness along with
the likes Of this
"Shove ahead, tlien," said Mr.. Poole
beg pardon. I'm sure. f." said the sea-
man. stepping TO the mans side. "but
let me see." Here he thrust his rose st
the chart. 1t was a hundred 70 one IL
he could read. why, Of course! This,
TO Be sure. must be the vessels sit;iva-
ton" The mailman listened with face
Of teeth and hair that might have ex.
pressed satisfaction or conviction had
he been sane. But must tell you.
continued the sailor, there's an old
sailor called Captain Benson close
aboard who'll be happy, I'm sure. to
compare his charts with yourn. Sup
pose you come and have o talk with
him."
The poor creatures brown eyes glsred
suspiciously. He looked up through the
little skylight, round the cabin, then n;
his naked trunk, which he on n sudden
Rugged with mnidcn's moicsty.
"Where shall I find your clothes:''
said the second mate.
The mailman took no notice. He
pointed again at the chart, and looking
at the seaman said:
Does the old gentleman know any
thing about navigation:''
"Know? Why. he can tell where he
is by the sun arter she's set. A lonesome
star Of a thick night will Pat him with
in hinch Of his true place The had.
miralty have offered him pounds a week
to navigate their fleets. but h. don't
like the notion of wearing n uniform. I"
The wretch made q crazy nod which
made his smile terrific. Mr. Poole pzllei
of his coat and buftoned IL over the
shoulders Of the mailman. While this
was doing he said to the seaman: Look
into these cabins while / get this man
to the boat. Como along. Sir" said he
bl.ndly, land will introduce you to
the old gentleman.
without my chart:" shriel;ed the
mailman.
The second mate rolled the North sea
up and fixed j. rs telescope under the
poor fellows arm.
The Queen lay close I'm with the
wreck, and what passed aboard was
quite easily visible TO the naked eyes of
the passengers. There had been life. then.
in that derelict. and ono poor human
sufferer was 20 be delivered from a hnr.
rible death. Yobder dismastcd fabric.
swGying in the fash Of tine brine. with
now lift Of green sheaihing and now
dip Of painted ports. takes the tragic
and thrilling significance 81 human suf-
fering itself from the spectacle 81 one
man rs he is handed into the boat. fiou.-
ishing his naked arms and talking and
hallooing to the ship.
did not you promise that VIC should
meet with no more horrors. cartainy''
said Mrs. Peacock 20 old benson.
The commander wiped his weather
discolored face with red pocket hand.
kerchief, big ne n small ensign. and an
swcred, There Gun be no horror in the
saving Of n mans life. ma 'am.''
He IL mad.' exclaimed Mrs. Pea.
cock. watching the man rs he approach.
ed the boat.
''Icannot help It," answered Captain