The times., 1897-07-11


morning, and Woke the cook up 10 assist ut
3.3e. at 3 80 they woke him again, and
at3.5edrag gged him fro n his bunk ana tried
To arouse him 10 a sense OF his duty Tue
cook, with his eyes san closed, crawied
back again the moment they left mm, and
though they had him out twice after that
he went back in tie same sonlnamhuilsuc
state aud resumed his slumbers-
Rriitiesea was thirty miles astern when
he at length awoke and went on deck, and
the schooner was scudding along under
d stiff breeze 1t was breeze such i's
the mate loved, and his face fell upon
the shrinking figure Of the cook as 1t
gliGed softly into the galley.
Cook. he roared, come here, you
ssulking rascal where've you been all
this timer"
I've been in trouble, SIR said the
cock, humhly; you'll hardly believe the
trouble I've been in through trying TO DO
the skipper a kindness"
Don't YOU come none of that with ne.
roared the mate warningly. Where'Ve
you been? Come out with it,
The cook. still somewhat weak from his
adventures, leaned against the compa Mon,
aud with much dramatic gesture began his
story.
As it proceeded the mates breath came
thick and fast, his color rose, and he be-
came s-ratic in his steering. Flattered
by these symptoms OF concern, the cook
continued.
''That'n do" said the mate at last.
Il amt got to the worst Of it yet, sir"
said the cook
.'If you stand there lying TO me for
another moment III break your neck"
said the unate. violently You've had two
days On the drink, that's what you've
had
~n's gawspel truth, sir said the
cook solinenIy.
You wait till the skipper turns out, F"
said the other, shaking his fist at him.
III it wasn't for leaving the wheel I'd
set about you myself my lad "
To the cooks indignation, the skipper
shared the opinions of the mate con-
ceung his story, and in a most abrupt
and unfeeung fashion stopped two days
pay Down in the foe sic he fared no
better, the crews honest tribute of amaze
ment to his powers of untuthful narrative
passing all bounds Of decoTum.
They passed Northfeet on their way up
to Roihcrhithe, where they went 10 dis
charge small general cargo. The cooks
behavior every time a police boat passed
them came in for much sconful censure
1t was some hours before he would 20
ashore, and, when at last he did -enture
It was with the reckless air of a Robe IT
Macaire and a Dick TuIpin lolled into one.
1t was 2 damp. cheerlcss morning when
they got to Northfleet again. They We're
not to load until the next day. and after
dinner Henry and the mate exchanged Il
sympathetic smile as the skipper took up
his cap and went ashore.
He walked into Gravesend, and taking
no notice of the Iain, which was falling
steadily, stTolled idly about looking in TO
the shop windows. He had romantic
idea that he might meet Annis Getting
there. 1t was half-holiGay at the school,
and it was the most natural thing in the
would that she should be sauntering about
Gravesend in the pouring rain. At about
o,clock- being fairly wet through, he
saw the fallacy of tie idea strongly, and
in a disconsOla fashion, after one glass
at convenient tavern, turned TO 90 back
"a the ship A little way along the Ioad
he stepped aside to allow a girl TO pass,
giancing-by mere force of habit-heneath
her umbrella a : he did so. Then he started
back guilty, as his eyes met those of
Miss Gething. She half stopped.
.'Good Afternoon said the skipper, awk-
wardly.
Good afternoon" said she.
Nasty weather" ," said the skipper, stand
ing respectfully three yards off.
You MIST be very wet" said Miss
Getting. You are going 10 see mother,
j suppose?"
Il did think Of doing So" said the
skipper, with joyous untruthfulness.
I'm going 10 90 little shopping -
said she. 'GOod-by"
she nodded brightly, and the skipper,
raising his cap, turned on his heel and
set off t. pay the call. He turned his head
several times as be went, but Miss Geth-
ing, VINO knew more of men than the
skipper knew OF women, did not turn
hers.
A quarter of an hours brisk walk brought
him TO the house, and he shook the IA in
from his cap as he Knocked gently at the
door. 1t was opened by man, who,
standing with his hand on the bolt, re-
Earded him inquiringly.
Mrs. Gething in?' asked the skipper.
mo, she's not just at present. said
the other.
I'm come in and wait for her if YOU
don't ninf,' said the shipper, speaking ON
tie spur of the moment.
The other heSitated, and then standing
aside TO allow him to PASS, closed the
door, and they entered the small parlor
together. The slipper, with a courage
which surprised himself, took chair I'M
Invited ana began to wipe his trousers
with his handkerchief
I'm afraid Mrs. Getting will be n
long time" said the other man at last.
I'm give her a few minutes" said the
Slipper, who would have sat there a
week with pleasure
He rubbed his mustache and beard Will
his handkerchief and put them into shape
with his fingers. The other man regarded
these operations with an unfayorable eve
and watched him uneasly.
No message you could leave for Mrs
Gething," he suggested after quarter o
ia hour.
The skipper shook his head, and in hi
turn took stock Of the other mana good
looking fellow. with a waxed black mus
toche, hight silk tie and massive scarf
piA- fnock-coat hung about his knees
and shoes of the lightest brown calIel
attention TO his small feet.
Another quarter of an hour passed.
Wet day said the skipper, by way o
starting the conversation again
The other assented, and remarked tha
be thought it very probable that the we
would prevent Mrs Gething from return
Ing, whereupon the conversation Ianguisher
until the sound Of known footsteps outSid,