The herald., 1897-09-19
"Go Jimmy! - Go Jimmy! Go!

This annoyed many. and they thought
the mate "bloomin' soft to-day" Cap
tain Allistoun could be seen on the
poop watching the sky cloud over from
the southwest. and 1t soon got to be
known about the decks that the ba-
rometer had begun to fall In the night.
and that a breeze might be expected
before long. This by subtle associa-
tion of ideas led to violent quarrel
ling as to the exact moment Of Jimmy's
death. Was it before or after that ere
glass started DOWN." 1t was impos-
sible to know, and 1t caused much con-
temptuous growing at one another.
Belfast took his bereavement very
hard. He gave proofs of unextinguish-
able devotion. 1t was he. and no other
man, that would help the sailmaker
to prepare what was left of Jimmy for
q solemn surrender to the Unsuitable sea.
He arranged the weights carefully at
the feet-two holystones, an old anchor
shackle without its pin, some broken
links of worn-out stream cable. He
arranged them this way, then that.
"Bless my soul! you aren't afraid he
will chafe his heel?" said impatiently
the sailmaker, who hated the job. He
pushed the needle, putting furiously.
with his head in cloud OF tobacco
smoke; he turned the flaps over. pulled
at the stitches stretched at the canvas.
Lift his shoulders. Pull to you bit
5000. Steady" Belfast obeyed,
overcome with sorrow, dropping tears
on the tarred twine. Don't you drag
the canvas too taut over his poor face,
Sails" he entreated tearfully.
20 ~ al fnr
No use to nobody. Who will miss him?"
IT dol pulled him out" mourned
Belfast dismally.
On two planks nailed together. and
apparently resigned and still, under the
border. James Wait, carried aft by four
men, was deposited slowly, with his
feet pointing at an open port. A swell
had set in from the westward. and fol-
lowing on the roll of the ship the red
ensign, at half-mast, darted out and
collapsed again on the gray sky, like a
tongue of flickering fire; Charley to,led
the bell; and at every swing to star
board the whole vast semi-circle OF
steely waters visible on that side SEEM
ed to come up with rush to the edge
of the port, as il impatient to get at
OuT JiuIIlt.
Every one was there but Donkin, who
was too i'll to come; the Captain and
Mr.. Creighton stood bareheaded on the
break of the poop; Mr.. Baker. directed
by the Captain, who had told him
gravely, You know more about the
prayer book than I do," came out OF
the cabin door quickly. and a little en-
barrassed. All the caps went off. He
began to read in a low tone, and with
his usual harmlessly menacing utter
ance, as though he had been for the
last time reproving confidentially that
dead seaman at his feet. The words
missing the unsteady hearts of men,
rolled out to wander without home
upon the heartless sea; and James
Wait, silenced for ever. lay uncritical
and passive under the hoarse murmuI
of hope and despair.
Two men made ready and waited fol
those words that send so many of 0ul
brothers to their last plunge. Mr.. Ba-
ker began the passage.
"6tand by" muttered the boatswain.
Mr.. Baker read out, ITO the deep
and paused. The men lifted the in
board end Of the planks. the hoatswain
snatchsd OF the Union Jack. and Jamel
Wait did not move,