Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-12-14

men engaged had not turned up.
Capt. Bunker did not care to go to
sea shorthanded, and had ordered an
other man from the crimp who was
doing his work. When that sailors rob
Der appeared with John Serooky, the
captain had objected. He did not want
colored men.
"Wal, cap'n," the crimp said, 81 ain't
got nary another livin' thing on two
legs to give ye. If you would wait till
morning, now"
But this was out of the question, SO
the darky was bundled aboard.
He was only half black, after all.
His father had been Scotch sugar
planter. But his crisp wool ard the
white palms of his hands and the soles
of his feet, would have shown, if moth
ing else, his origin.
The men made no objection to him,
but Mr.. Andrews, the mate, was the
sort of man who must have some or
to knock about, and John Serooly, or
Cuba" as the crew called him, came in
handy. So Cuba had to take it.
If the mate wanted to let off steam
he would perhaps stumble across the
darlly, and then, with a cuff, calculate:
What in thunder are ye doin', We
clumsy black lubber?"
To which Cuba would answer moth
ing, but would scuwl wickcdly from be-
meath his lowering eyelids.
The man who had the next bunk to
Cuba was Tom Sennit. "Sennit" was
but pursers name. Tom was one OF
those rolling stones who can only live
when rowing and rowdy. lie began to
sympathize with the lonely darby.
which presently bore fruit in an oc-
casional gruf word or two of greeting.
Cuba instantly noted the kind etten-
tion, though only the flash of his dark
eyes showed it. But it made the man
expand.
They had run into the Doldrums be.
fore the final climax came. The weather
was over-capricious, even for that for
saGen region. They took n week to
make a decent days run. Mr.. Mates
temper became worse-he must open q
safety valve or burst. He chose the
| former alternative.
Cuba was coiling up the braces on the
iiAuiii h'Nh dllNl IL JOtt VI DOA HduI-
ing" Andrews slouched up to him.
Don't you know how to coil up a
rope better'n that? Call yourself a
,ailor?"
"All right, Mist Andrews" answered
Cuba proceeding with his job and never
turning his head.
Tom Sennit, who had been overhaul
ing the main buntlines, was just de-
scending to the deck.
Don't give me any of your nigger
sarce!" roared Andrews, adding 4
string of choice eTpletves.
"All right, Mist Andrews" said Cuba.
with a grin.
''What, you black trash! You'll laugh
at me!' And the mate, whipping be-
laying pin from the rail, made wild
swipe at the darlly's bead.
A niggers head is the hardest part
about him, The mate forgot that, or he
might have kicked Cuba's shins in pref
erence, But it did not matter, for Cuba.
seeing the blow coming, clutchcd the
mates arm with unsupported ma pliness
and wrenched the pin from his hands.
Andrews blaaed into fury; his hand
went like flash 10 his hip pocket. An
other moment and he would have "iet
daylight through" the man.
Here, stash that, mistcr!" shouted
Tom Sennit. as he graspcd the hand
which clutched the revolver.
What dye mean?" yelled Andrews
/ q, Tom, rs he wriggled clear and
brandished his pistol. "Mutiny-eh ?"
| And again he pointed at the darlly.
Another moment, and q well-directed
blow from Tom sent the weapon flying
into the scuppers, where another of the
watch who had rushed up secured it,
and passed it to the skipper, who ha'.
come out 10 see the fun.
Guess you'd best take hold of thi,
here iron, cap" said the man; eve
| doesn't want no shooting But if it's
to come to that. why. let us know"
ca, NA\>