San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-01-17

"Fok'sl there, F" came hail from
the jib boom end, "can any of you tell
me how the deuce I've got ont here?"
Hang me-" muttered the second
mate, eff it ism t one of the ten passen-
gers. Hello, you, SIR" he shouted.
what are you doing out there? Lay ini
Lay inl You've alarmed the whole ships
company with this tomfoolery."
"Tomfooleryr' cried back the gentle
man, who continued tobestride the boom
end. who's the tomfool that's played
this joke off ON me? Who's launched me
out ON this dangerous place? If I let go.
am killed man."
SIS he drunk?" said the second mate.
"Lunatic, sir, lunatic. growled Tom.
1--WE must bring him in, said the
second mate, cor he'll be overheard.
Jump out, some Of you men, and help
him along"
But even as he spoke these words the
shadow at the flying jib boom end had
cast its legs over and was sliding toward
the forecastle in manner that instantly
satisfied the experienced eyes Of the
Jacks that he required no assistance.
He drew in very stealthily, pausing
when at the bowsprit as though to ad-
mire the picture of the ship as she drove
in sleepy beauty, pale and silent, over
the water.
Come in, STRIP bawled the second
mate, and in the man came, gaining
the deck with as nimble spring over
the rail as was ever witnessed ON o
man-of-war.
The seamen crowded round him. Mr..
Poole showed in. The gentleman was
Mr.. Walter Shannon. He wore pyjamas
and a white shirt and was hatless and
barefooted. Rubbing his eyes and yawn-
ing, looking first up and then down.
then round him with sudden motions Of
his head, Mr.. Shannon counterfeited
hundred marks of agitation, distress
and bewilderment
What is the meaning of this, sir?"
said the second mate sternly.
II think see it all now," exclaimed
Mr. Shannon, talking as though his
teeth chartered. 81 have walked in my
sleep"
"And talked, too, allow" said
man with a grunting laugh. What
Christian country does that there howl
of yours belong to?"
''It is quite clear to me now" ex-
claimed Mr.. Shannon, speaking in a
voice of awe. II have walked in my
sleep To think of my having crept in
my Inconsistencies to that extreme
point of the ship therei Good angels.
what an escaped
"There wasn't much the looks Of an
escape in the way you came sliding in.
said man.
stop your people from being imper-
tinent, Mr. Poole" said the gentleman.
What's the good, +" suddenly roared
Tom, "of man laying out to a ships
flying jib boom end and yowlingf Going
there for that? What's the blooming
good of itH All in the dead Of the night.
Do they call it sleep walking? I've
known sailormen ashore get month
for smaller sky larking jobs than this. "
And the grumbler stepping to the fore
scuttle, dropped noiselessly into the
seamen's den.
Come aft Come aft, sir, " exclaimed
Poole, catching him by the arm. And no
added in hot whisper: This is the
sailors end of the ship. You're mad to
anger them here. Lookl Every belt has
its knife. I'll not be answerable. "
III make it right with you, my lads.
Fired if yet know where am" And,
MIR. Shannon stretched his arms and
yawned and stared again, first up and
then down and then around, with fine
affectation c; bewilderment and ALARM.
But it had now run into more than &c
minutes since Mr.. Poole rushed from
the poop to the forecastle to learn TT
meaning Of the distressful, spirit mel
ing wailing, and in less than 20 minuiu
O barbarous murder may be done. ~
With sauntering steps Mr.. ShanI
followed the second mate off the ~
castle, but when he was in the thi
the shadow between the bulwark "a.
the longboat he made stride, and us,
ing the officer by the shoulder a
him with hand of iron. Poole III at
round to his own defense. I'll per
laughed softly at the second RI -e's hgnt- :
ing attitude and exclaimed:
my dear fellow. you quite mistake.
I merely wish to ask YOU
"By thunder, Mr.. Shannon, but it'll
go hard with you if you handle me
again in that fashion, interrupted
Poole in voice strong with resentment
and dislike. In fact, the strength of the
other had put the shock of blow into
his mere grasp.
my dear Poole, Ireally apologize. I
merely wished to ask a question. Am
l." said he, making step so as to COM
mand the interior of the cuddy and OBJ
tain a clear view OF the quarter deck.
"to return to my bed, or do you wish
me to accompany you to the captains
cabin?"
There's the captain himself. F" ex-
claimed Mr.. Poole. And as he spoke the
little figure of Benson howled from the
head of the poop ladder: Where's the
officer of the watch? Who's that man in
la,,-,, Ioxxy IL ik ehovato