The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1897-12-15
The CABIN PASSENGER.
BY w. w. JACOBS.
THE captain of the Fearless" came
copyright. 1897. 8
,s,,sssssss,ssss,lssssBasBssssssssss,ly

THE captain of the Fearless" came
on to the wharf in manner more
suggestive of deer stalking than that of
prosaic ship master returning to his
craft. He lodged round an empty van,
hrked behind an empty barrel, fitted
from that to post, and finally from
the interior of a steam crane peeped
Mechanically at the deck of his
craft.
To the ordinary observer there was
no cause for alarm. The decks were a
BIZ slippery, but not dangerous except
TO a novice; the matches were on, and
in the lighted gallery the cook might be
discerned moving about in a manner in
dicatvc of great security and an I'M
troubled conscience.
With a last glance behind him the
skipper descended from the crane and
stepped lightly aboard.
Hist" said the cook, coming out
quietly. I've been watching for you"
"Devilish fine idea of watching you've
got said the skipper, irritably. what
is ito"
The cook jerked his thumb towards
the cabin. "He's down there" he said
in hoarse whisper. THE mate said
when you come aboard you was just to
go and stand near the companion and
whistle God Save the Queen and he'd
come up to you and see what's to be
done"
whistler" said the skipper, trying to
I. l. ,al 10
tongue. Il couldn't whistle just now
to save my life"
"The mate don't know what to do,
and that was to be the signal" said the
cook. Hes down there with i'm givin'
i'm drink and amoosin' i'm"
''Wel, you go and whistle it," said
the skipper.
The cook wiped his mouth on the
back of mis- hand. SOW does it go?" he
inquired, anxiously, II never could re-
member toones."
"Oh. go and tell Bill to do it," cried
the skipper, impatiently.
Summoned noiselessly by the cook,
Bill came up from the forecastle, and
on learning what was required of him
purscd up his lips and started the noble
anthem with whistle of such richness
and volume that the Mortified skipper
was almost deafened with it. 1t acted
on the mate like a charm; he came
from below and closed Bills mouth,
none too gently, with a hand which
shook with excitement. Then, as quiet
ly as possible, he closed the companion
and secured the fastepinps
Hes all right" he said to the skip
per, breathlessly. Hes a prisoner. He's
'ad four glasses O. whisky, an he seems
inclined to Sleep"
"Who let him down into the cabin ~
demanded the skipper, angrily. Its a
fine thing can't leave the ship for an
hour or so but what | come back and
find people sitting all round my cabin
"le let hisself down." explained the
cook, who saw slight opening advan-
tageous to himself in connection with
dish smashed the day before, "an'
was that surprised dropped the large
dish and smashed it,
what did he say?" vociferated the
skipper.
Nv Diut OuC, ihCdus SatN NOoh
who wanted that matter settled for
good-"the one with the place at the
end for gravy to run into"
What did he say" vociferated the
skipper.
"'E ses 'ullo,' e ses, you've done it.
old man." replied the truthful cook.
The skipper turned furious face to
the mate.
When the cook come up and told
me- said the mate in answer, II see al
once what was up, SO went down and
just talked to him clever like"
Il should like to know what you
SAID, muttered the skipper.
We'll, if you think you can do bet
ter than did you'd better go down and
see him." retorted the mate, hotly
After all it's you what e come to see.
No offense, Bob" said the skipper
didn't mean nothing"
i don't know nothin' o. horse rae
IN" continued the mate with an insult
Ierable air, "and / never 'ad no money
troubles in my life, bein' always
brought up proper at 'ome and warned
Of what would 'appen. but know .
sneri1l officer when see i'm"
What am to do?" groaned the skip
per- too depressed even to resent hi.
suoordinate's manner, Its judgment
summons. It's ruin If he gets me-"
Well, SO far as can see the only
.ning for you to do is to miss the shir
.his trip" said the mate without look
ing al him. II can take her out al
right"
ing.
Very wen. you'll be nabbed then.'
said the mate.
iouve been wanting to handle thii
sra1t long time." said the skipper
.nercely. You could ha' got rid of hin
you'd wanted to-"
= tried everything could think of.
asseverated the mate.
Wen. he's come down on my shiI
without being asked" said the skipper