Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-01-22

ensign in the art of fishing for albatross.
The quartermaster, however, who was a
great admirer of Braces, proved a very
clumsy demonstration. Two or three times
the pork was so loosely tied on that the
birds pulled it off and flew away with it.
Captain Lee was disguised. He took the
next piece of pork and fastened it with his
own hands.
Splicer observed with Joy that the cap
tain noticeably turned pale as he fingered
the shiny flabby flesh. But the ensign be-
gan to trembl- in his shoes when he saw
one of the birds swallow the bait and be-
gin to come aboard with the line. As he
looked around nervously, as if to seek
some place whittier to escape, he noticed
dark blue streak approaching on the water.
1t was his only hope. The albatross was
nearly landed
at looks as if we might have squally
weather. sir, " said Splcer.
The captain quickly turned and gave the
necessary orders for disseminating the use
of steam and proceeding under sail, in ac-
cordance with the naval policy of those
days, and then, telling Brace to have the
albatross properly secured and cared for,
he beat hasty retreat to his cabin.
Mr.. Brace heaved a sigh of relief at his
temporary reprieve; but he trembled to
think what would happen when the Do
meded Spectdcutdtd was brought face to
face with Professor Hunter of the Smith
sonian Institution. Oddly, too, he did not
seem to get as much sympathy as he though
he deserved from his messmates. Perhaps
they counted too much on his previous sue
cess in getting out of scrapes.
When the Tampa at last cast anchor in
Apia Bay the captain reappeared, in spot
less uniform of white duck, and with as
Indifferent an air as if he had just stepped
below to change his attire.
"Mr. Brace" he said, when that officer
appeared in answer to his summons, 81
hope you have followed out my instruc-
tions in regard to that remarkable alba
tross."
eyes, sir" replied the ensign.
81 am now going on shore to meet Pro-
fessor Hunter and his learned associates,
but before going l should like to examine
the bird more closely than l have had an
opportunity to do hitherto. . Well
sir, do you hear mel Why do you hest
tate"
81 regret-I-I fear that it will be i'm
possible, sir. "
''Impossiblel Do l hear you Alright
Take care, Mr.. Bracel Do you dare to tell
me that anything is impossible to me aboard
this ship! l trust, for your sake, that you
can explain your language satisfactorily,
| sir"
"Why, the fact is, sir, replied Splicer,
that the slbatross is not ON board"
mot on board, Mr. Brace' This is a
very serious matter, sir. placed the bird
in your charge, and | shall hold you re-
sponsible for it, Through whose negli-
gence did it escape"
Through nobodys, sir; by my orders
by your orders, Mr.. Brace2 Egad, sir,
that is very like disobedience of my orders,
sirl And, damme, that would be a court
martial offence"
eyes, SIR replied the junior watch Off
GER; 81 realized that when 1 took the re-
| sponsibility in your-eh-absence, sir.
The fact is that the bird, despite the most
solicitous care, became i'll, very ill, sir; so
i'll that the men felt sure that it would die.
l feared that it would myself, sir; and
knowing the bad name that would attach
to the ship in that event, in view of the SUI
perstitious feelings of the crew, when
judged that its recovery was impossible /
ordered its release, sir"
"Egad, sir, you have taken dangerous
liberty" The captains face was purple
with suppressed rage. "You say the bird
was ill-what was the matter with it,
Where was THE surgeon' What disease
could any bird get on board this ship that
would Justify you in throwing it over
board9"
''It was seasick, sirl"-H. G. Paine in
HarperS Weekly.