The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-25
ruELAUGHING TRAVELLERS'
How the Gulls Amused the furse' VI
Steamer and Passenger

Steamer and "a Passenger
MI, oir was filled with strange laugh
80. oha-ba.r in very high notes; "ha-ha-
no" IN the deepest bass. then a chorus
of wild cries that appeared to come IRON
anywhere, everywhere, greatly astohish-
ing a little boy that stood on the spray
washed deck Of an outbound steamer.
ITS the laughing gulls." said the pur-
ser. who noticed his amazement; then.
following the motion of his hand, the lit
tie passenger glanced upwards and sa"
the cause of all the noise. on the gil
bau that sdrmounted the topmast Of the
rolling steamer, sat a large white gun
evsvine to and fro i'm its efforts TO pre-
serve its balance. on the foremost was
perched another. while the booms ano
other points of vantage were similarly
occupied by gulls of various colors.
Are they laughing al usY' asked the
boy.
"No. indeed" replied the good-natured
purser. Il am not quite sure, but ] i'm
aeine that they are asking me to give
them their dinner"
why do they know your said the
boy.
II should think so" said the officer
why they follow me from san Pedro
10 the island and back sixty miles cF-
cry day except Sunday
Wont they fly on Sundays asked 'he
boy again.
"Oh. yes" was the reply. but the
steamer doesn't sail on Sunday now; but
every other day they join me and fly
along. when they set tired they aiight
on the steamer. and they all seem 10 be
very fond OF trying to balance themselves
ON the masthead. You see IL Is very
slippery. and when the boat is rolling
about they have to work hard, especially
Jack who has but one leg.
Il wish | could see HIM" said the little
boy, who was greatly Interested in the
birds
That's a very easy matter" responded
the officer. Go into the cabin where
the birds can't see YOU. and will have
Jac, down here i'm no time.
The boy moved into the cabin, where
the other passengers had gone 10 escape
wind and spray. while the purser stepped
TO the side of the steamer.
"Hi. there. jack he shouted. snap
ping his fingers over the rail. and thrust
ing his other hand into the pocket OF MS
pea jacket.
The gull on the gold bah slid off. while
a nuttcring cloud Of white wings. pre-
sonting a striking contrast 10 the blue
water. appeared. as II by magic. at the
stern and over the deck, all laughing IN
their way.
As the purscr held up his hand. down
swooped a large and beautiful gull. and
lowered IN the air. not seven feet above
the deck. Just over him. turning its mead
this way and that I'm eager expectation.
IL was not disappointed for the off1cer
tossed a bit Of meat into the ar. which
the gull deity caught.
That's Jack" the purser called 10 the
little boy. who was peeping out OF the
open window.
Jack had been shot and one or MS res
was gone. while the other leg, which hAd
probably been wounded hung directly
down, as though he were holding IL out
To shake hands.
THAT big brown fellow Is old Tom
said the officer. HE rarely misses trip;
and the one chasing the other l call
Smoker. because he once picked up cigar
that some one threw over; but he very
soon found out his mistake. | call them
nv Laughing travellers" continued the
nurser tossing some meat into the air.
which the birds caught. because they
travel with me all day. and are always
laughing. whether IL Is really laughing.
l don't know" added the officer.