Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-31
CHAPTER Y.
TIE SLEEP WALKER.

TIE SLEEP WALKER.
Aeanwhile OF the poop the captain
walked right aft beside the wheel
smoking Z cherCot. and with him paced
the surgeon, WHO told him that Miss
HoiroJd's iIl:-osg was of "a very light
nature. Something she had eaten h.d
disagreed with her
Otherwise We are a healthy ship,
k.r. " said the old skipper.
aft, yes; forward up to the sailors
average, sir. p" said the surgeon.
ut is good average exclaimed
tho slipper after u suck at his weed.
IL very poor average surely, sir, >
said the surgeon. Glow would you
have it otherwise? They get nothing to
eat. II it were not for the air they feed
on, they'd die
Old Benson came to n stand as though
shocked and exclaimed s.eruly, There
Is 10 class Of iaboring men better fed
than the sailor ~
The surgeon bowed contemptuously.
1t was NOT fer him to argue with this
despot of tie quarter deck.
The mates voice just then was heard
calling. The skipper went along the
deck and the surgeon below.
II couldn't make Ont who it was.
sir. " said the Ianic, standing 1t the rail
and addressing SONIC one Oh tho Quarter
deck.
TITS too hot 10 turn III, " exclaimed
Captain Troi!opo III traviing ncte.
The little skipper reached the mates
side ana looked down.
who Is that, sir:" said he, peering
susr:ciCusiy. though 10 saw plainly
enough, ior Troi,opc STOOD III the small
Sheen flowing through the cuddy win
dows.
Captain Tronope. SIX" said the
mate.
what are the regulations in this
ship" cSclaiuac, Trollopc,, backing to
the quarter G5cE capstan and leaning in
naughty pose wLilo lie locked Mp.
DO yen put your passengers 10 bed like
schcolboys, TINT man can't walk the
dec! hc.c .Cl Il hot night for mouthful
OF fresh az without being challenged
by the officer Of the watch:''
1T was no challenge, said the mate
II thought you were one Of the sea
men,
Il shall stay OF deck all night if !
choose, said Tiollope, pulling out a
cigar Case, with 10 intention. however,
Of smoking. MY passage money en-
titles ms 10 the use Of this ship
ITO your cabin and ;ho table. sir, but
to the deck &: the discretion Of the COM
lnander," bawled the skipper. who had
come to this tall, angry from the surgeon.
Il decline 10 listen to you, CAPTAIN
Benson, said Trolicpc. "You act im-
pcrtircntiy liz addressing NE. You owe
me an apology, and Intend TO exact it
as gentleman and as man WHO has
had the honor Of holding her maiesty's
commission. Failing it, sir, when we
arrive in London, 1 Will take very
early opportunity Of what sailors call
'squaring the yards with you"
Saying which he lounged out of sight
into the shadows about the galley.
Old Benson's lungs pumped with al
engines power with passion. The mate
a few fest distant heard Lin blowing
like grimpus. But what could he do:
Prudence not to be neutralized BY tern
per was one of his several useful naval
qualities. Supposing he locked Captain
Trollope UP, laid Inn in irons, rs his
present rage dictated. Tho news would
spread on the ships arrival. The papers
would comment with their usual i'm
pertinent freedom On the subject. Cap
tain Benson would lie known as the
skipper who olapped his passengers in
irons for venturing TO take the air Of a
hot night. A man who knew Benson
we'll once said of him to another, There
is not much sentiment i'll Benson. I"
"Yes, plenty" answered the ether,
''but they call it Fifty per-centiment. -
The old skipper hoped to sail the seas
q few years longer and to add to his
dividends, which were already not in.
considerable, and so after blowing at
the rail fer a few minutes he threw his
cigar away and went to his cabin.
Seven bells were struck at that mo-
ment-half past IL. johnson and Han
key were beside the skylight. No other
passengers were on deck. The man at
the wheel stood solitary aft The two
men lighted their pipes when the cap
tain went below. and the mate said