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


skipper was feeling mighty bad and
rusty. He sat with his Lead in his hands
and gave no greeting to his shipmates.
The prospect Of getting him afioat did
not look any too cheerful, and perhaps
they would have been unsuc -essful had
not Mrs. Capt. Rattlin told the men that
they ought to be ashamed of themselves
coming after sick man who ought to
be abed, if he knew what was good for
him. He wasn't in fit state to go out
Joe Rattln. He'd show hel who was
in fit state, he cried, so bundling his
two partners out Of the house, and
roaring decance to his wife, who tried
TO stop his exit, he followed them
down to the beach, and in a short time
water again, heading out from Hast
ings. There was some shrewdness af-
ter all in the captains going to sea;
the doctor had forbidden him liquor,
and now giving the wheel to Teddy
Luff, the skipper set himself industri-
there was aboard. No one dared say a
word to him, or expostulate. And thus
the three fishers sailed to the west as
the sun went down on Saturday after
noon.
There came up wild thunderstorm
which drove the captain below. for he
had not his oilskins on, and 1t also
gave Billy an opportunity of largely di-
luting the rum with water, which the
captain was now too drunk to notice.
Teddy began to fear that the old man
would be too far gone to notice the
fleet, even if it all blew up, but he
drenching he got before getting under
cover partly sObered him, and the dilu-
ton of his grog kept him from getting
much more intoxicated AS darkness
came on The Sober Jade had risen
the feet" as Teddy p; it, and getting
under the lee of the Isle of Wight, Billy
cast anchor and there they lay.
"Tm afraid" said Teddy, ''that the
old man won't come up on deck again
of his own accord, and 1 don't see how
we can persuade him to come up our
selves, for we can't pretend we see
anything"
"Oh, that's all right" said Billy.
"Pve put the rum up for'ard and he
hasn't much more to 60 on, so we'll
hear him sing out after bit"
At 9 o'clock the first of the illuminat-
ed ships broke out in dazzling splen-
dor, quite taking away the breath of
the onlookers, and shortly after the
whole feet was one gigantic display
of glittering starlike beauty as If the
consultations of the heavens had fall
en- and shaped themselves into fairy
ships.
my eyer said Teddy, 81 never saw
like that before"
'NOr did lw answered Billy.
Both of the men were gazing with |
such admiration at the scintillating |
fleet that they forget all about their n
ebriated captain, until he suddenly |
roared up at them:
Here you, Teddy Luff; bring me
some more rum"
81 got something better to do,"
growled Teddy. go and get it your
self: it's out for'ard."
"If I have to come up there" said
the captain, III throw you overheard.
Billy Capstan, bring aft the rum"
Captain Joe Rattlin," cried Billy,
you've had more than your share
now. I've put the rum fOr'ard. nd
there the rum stays"
With resounding oath, the captain
came up, and then stopped. stricken
dumb by the amazing sight prea1 out
before his eyes. He drew his hand
slowly across his forehead.
'My God" he cried, Billy, WHAT'S
.hat?"
"What's what?" said Billy, indiffer-
ently coiling rope with his ba k to
he fleet, while Teddy was bus! ng
himself near the wheel
whats that l see in the Offing?"
'ried Captain Joe. Look at it a-stand-
ng out between sea and sky. like a
thousand ships afirew
Billy and Teddy looked over in the