The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-09-23

and very much more so when drunk,
his principal line of argument being
the flooring Of a man with handSpike;
therefore his partners and crew tried
to avoid discussion with him, for in 81
lence on their part lay the chances of a
long life and immunity from bruises
and black eyes. Even between them
selves Billy and Teddy did not dwell
at any length conversationally upon the
shortcomings of their master and part
ner. Each of the two men liked a drop
of grog himself, but neither had the
ambition to be the main support of the
rum industry, as was apparently the
case with Capt. Joe Battlin.
The two men stood there silently with
their hands thrust deep in their trous
ers pockets, pulling at their pipes, and
they seemed to find dumb consolation
in each others presence, although their
disgust at the unsatisfactory situation
of things found no expression in words.
AS they stood thus, there blew along
side man from London, who began to
ask them questions regarding nets and
fishing boats, and the hard life they
were supposed to lead, as is the custom
with London visitors to Hastings. The
men answered him with respectful pa
tience, as had been their habit for
years, going over the same dull round,
for there is little originality in the ques-
tioning of London man.
Yes, they encountered a bit of nasty
weather now and then. No, there
wasn't much money in the fishing in
dustry. Yes, most of their catch went
to London. No, the nets weren't paint
ed brown TO conceal them from the fish,
but to preserve them. Yes, coming in
and out Of the water good bit. they
were apt to rot, and nets were eXpen-
sive. No, they weren't going out that
day on account of the skipper being ill;
under the weather a bit. No, his NAL
ady wasn't exactly caused by the hard |
life he led. Yes, he'd get over it; he'd |
had these spells before, but he'd always
recovered, although he seemed to be
getting bit worse as time went on. |
Yes, the chances were his trouble |
would carry him off some day. unless
he was swept overheard in the mean
time, and Teddy allowed that Joe
would hate to come to his death by
means of water.
Turn about is but fair play, and by
and by the LOndoner, from extracting
information, began to impart some to
the two men who listened attentiyely.
If he were fisherman, the London
man said, he would put out to sea at
once and sail for Spithead. The whole
fleet was going to be on view there, and
a grand sight 1t would be, especially on
Saturday night. Billy replied that as
a usual thing they saw too much of the
fleet. 1--WE don't care much about the
feet" he added. except to keep out of
Its way. A warship won't swerve from
its course for anything aioat; and as
for them torpedo boat catchers. he's a
wise man who gives them a wide
BERTH"
There will be no danger on Sat
urday night" said the Londoner "for
the ships are all anchored, and the sight
Of them will be something man never
can forget, for each of the craft will
have her outlines defined by something
like thousand electric lights. shaping
her in the fire; masts, ropes, funnel, and
all the rest Of it. There will be over a
hundred and fifty ships all ablaze lie
this, and on that night the electric fleet
will be worth seeing"
After imparting this lurid inforr'a-
ion the Londoner went his way and
eft the two men meditating over what
ne had told them. At last Teddy said
,olemnly:
''If we could run the old man up
against that fleet of fire, and him not
moving anything of it, he'd think he
lad 'em sure. wouldn't he?"
YES" admitted Billy. at would be a
kind O. dazzles."
Lets get him aboard" cried Teddy
'esolutely. land give him lesson. We
.an drift down Spithead way and come
n it kind o casual like Saturday night,
hen if the fleets ablaze. as the strang-
,r said. it would make Joe think judg-
nent day had come, and he'd likely
swear off and not touch rum any more
ITS worth trying" said Billy. "And
anyhow, I'd like to see the fleet all lit
Up. We can pretend to Joe that we no.
ice nothing out of ordinar', and think
hat will stagger the old man."
The two fishers without more ado
rudged off to Capt. JOe's cottage. The