The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-09-18
T HE master of the schooner Hare

Both men had provided ashore for a
voyage which included no intoxcants,
and the dignity of the skipper, always
salient feature, had developed ire
meGdously under the influence of
brown stout. He stepped aboard his
schooner Importantly, and then, turn
ing to the mate. who was about to fol
low, suddenly held up his hand for
silence
what did l tell you?" he inquired
severely as the mate got quietly
aboard.
The mate listened. From tilc fo'c's'le
came the low gruff voicea OF men brok-
en- by the silvery ripple OF wolnens
laughter.
''Well I'm a Dutchman." said the
mate, with the air of one who felt he
was expected to say something.
''After all l said to EN-" said the
skipper with weary dignity. You
heard what l said to 'em, Jack?"
Nobody could ha' swore louder" tes-
titled the mate.
AN here they are" said the skipper
in amaze, "defying of me.1
They've been and gone and asked
them females down the fo'c's'le ag'in.
You know what l said I'd do, Jack, if
they did,
Said you'd eat 'em without salt"
quoted the other helpfully.
I'll do worse than that, Jack" said
the skipper after a moments discom-
future. whats to hinder us casting off
quietly and taking them along with
us?"
"If you ask me-" said the mate, 81
should say you couldn't please the
crew better"
well, We'll see" said the other, nod
ding sagely; don't make no noise,
JACK
Aided by the mate he cast off the
warps which held his unconscious Wis
ttOrs to their native town, and the wind
being off the shore the little schooner
drifted silently away from the quay.
The skipper went to the wheel, and
the noise of the mate hauling on the
jib brought rough head out of the fo'-
c'sle, the owner of which, after a cry
to his mate below, sprang up on deck
and looked around in bewilderment.
"Stand by, therew cried the skipper,
as the others came rushing on deck
"Shake em OUT
"Beggin' your pardin. sir" said one
of them, with more politeness in his
tones than he had ever used before,
"but-"
"Stand by" said the skipper
'Now, then" shouted the mate.
sharply, "lively there! Lively with it,
The men looked at each other help
lessly and went to their posts, as n
scream of dismay arose from the fair
beings below, who, having just begun
to realize their position, were coming
on deck to try and improve it.
"Whatw roared the skipper, in pre-
tended establishment: what! CELLS
aboard, after all l said. 1t can't be! l
must be dreaming"
STake us back" walled the damsels,
ignoring the sarcasm; take us back,
Captain"
"No, I can't go back" said the skip
per. "You see what comes o. disobedi-
ence, my CELLS. Lively there on that
mainsl, dye hear?"
1--WE won't do 1t again." cried the
girls, as the schooner came to the
mouth of the harbor and they smelled
the dark sea beyond. Take us back -
ut can't be DONE" said the skipper
cheerfully.
Its agin the lor, sir" said Ephraim
Biddle, solemnly.
"Bosh!'' said the skipper; they're
stowawayS, an l shall put 'em ashore
at the first port we touch at-Ply
mouth"
A heartrending series of screams
from the stowaways rounded his sen
tence, screams which gave way to sus
tanned sobbing, as the schooner, catch
ing the wind, began to move through
the water.
YOU'D better get below, my gals
said Biddle, who was the eldest mem
Der of the crew, consolingly.
"Why don't you make him take u
backg' said Jenny Evans, the bigges
of the three girls, Indignantly.
Zoos we can't, my DEAR" said Biddl
reluctantly. you don't want to see u
put into prison, do your"
81 don't mind" said Miss Evans
tearfully, 80 long as we get back
George, take us back"
81 can't" said Scott, sullenly.
"Well, you can look out for some
body else, then" said Miss Evans, wit
temper. "You won't marry me. HOY
much would you get If you did max
the skipper put back?"