Evening star., 1898-03-12

and when he got on the floor of the lagoon
and saw the place round him literally pack
ed with smell that had never been touched
by human fingers, he made up his mind
that the time had come to repay old
scores. So when he came UP out of the
water again he said sulkily enough that
there was nothing below but seaweed and
mud, and the boat rowed back out of the
lagoon and the schooner let draw her
forestaysail sheet and ran away on her
course. The skipper reported the new
reef and in due course it got on the charts:
and the sailor kept on holding his tongue
till he could find market for his informa-
tion. He didn't find one at once; he had to
wait two years. in fact; and then he found
me- l guess that skipper would be easier
on his hands in future If he only knew
what he'd lost, eh, Kettle?"
The sailor frowned. "a shipmaster, sir
has to get the full amount of work out of
his hands. or he's neglecting his duty. 1
can picture that schooner, Mr.. Carnforth,
and | can picture her old man hearing
what he's missed, and still carrying on the
driving game The things we have to ship
as sailors are beasts. and you have to treat
them such; and If you can show me
master who's popular in the forecastle I
can show you a man who's letting his
hands shirk work. and not earning his own
ers pay
Hin" said Carnforth. "I've seen you
handle crew, and 1 know your theories
and little ways, and l know also that you're
far too obstinate an animal to change your
OPINIONS IN hurry. We pretty strong
will myself. and so I can sympathiZe with
you. However. We'll let that matter of
ethics slide for the present, and go into the
question of ways and means" And on the
dry detail of this they talked till far into
the night
Here. however. the historian may for
while withhold his pen, since those in the
shipping interest can fill in the gap for
themselves, while to all others these small
u
finiteIy tedious. The yachts voyage out to
japanese waters may also be omitted. The
English papers announced its commence
rnent in one of the usual formal para
graphs: Mr.. Martin Carnforth, NJ. p. for
the Munro division of Yorkshire. has start
ed in his fine steam yacht. the Vestrs, for
a heightened tour in China seas to study
oriental questions on the spot. and will
probably be absent some considerable
time
The official log kept on board was meager
and scanty, being confined to arid state
ments of distances run and the ordinary
meteorological happenings of the ocean;
and toward the latter entries even these
We're skillfully fictitious. Indeed. when the
vessel neared the scene of action her yellow
funnel changed to black with a crimson
band. couple of squarish yards were
crossed on her foremast, her dainty gaff
sails vanished and We're replaced by Serv-
iceahle trysais and the midship house was
soiled by the addition of a coat of crude
White Itft ABOVE the teak,
and straddled over by "A clumsy iron bridge
defended by ll-ftting canvas dodgers and
awnings. There was no making the expert
believe. of course, that she a mere
trader that had always been trader But
to the nautical eye she was unsuspcous;
she looked one of those ex-yachts that
have been sold out of the petticoat-cruisng
service of Cowes, and been adapted to the
more home1y needs of the mercantile
marine. and in the Mediterranean. the Aus
tralian seas and China waters there are
many of this breed of craft making a hum
bic living for their owners. A couple of
weeks neglect will make any brass work
look unyachthke, and little Withholding
of the paint brush soon makes all small
traders wonderfully akin.
Rechristening, of course. is but a clumsy
device. and one which is the gentle novel
list notwithstanding most seldom used A
ship at her birth is given a name and en-
dowed with passport in the shape of
papers" Without her papers she cannot
enter civilized port; she could not Clear
at any custom house. and to attempt do
ing so would be a blatant confession Of
something wrong" So, when the paint
brushes went around and the name Vestris
on counter. boats and life buoys was ex-
changed for Governor L. c. Walthrop
(Which seemed to carry a slight American
flavor) half sigh went up from some of
the shlps company, and queer little thrill
went through the rest. according TO their
temperaments. They were making them
selves sea pariahs from that moment on
ward. until they should deem fit to discard
the alias.
Capt Kettle himself finished lettering the
last of the life buoys and put down his
brush and shook his head
Carnforth was watching him from a deck
chair. You don't like it?'' he said
Il never did such thing before" said
Kettle. "and never heard of it being done
and come to any good. We're noboGias
now. and it's everybody's business to med
ole with nobody. If you're somebody,
only the proper people can interfere
Il can't help it." said Carnforth "The
Nestris Is well known at home, and I'm
We'll known, too. and we've just got to see
this business through, one way or the
other. other. under purser's names. She's the
Governor l. c. Walthrop, and I'm Mr..
Martin. and you can be what you like
I'll still use my name. sir. I've
carried 1t good many years now through
II oSt kinds of weather, and it's had so
many stones thrown at it that a few more
wont hurt. If we get through with this
little game. all right; If we get interrupted
| guess the only thing left will be to at-
tend our own funerals. I'm not going 10
taste the inside of a japanese gaol at any
price"
Il never saw such a fellow as you for
looking at the gloomy side of things" said
Carnforth. irritably.
IT'S the gloomy side that's mostly come
my way, sir
Il wish to goodness I'd never been idiot
enough to come out here on this hare
Why" said Kettle in surprise. you've
got the remedy to your hand. You give
your orders. Mr.. Carnforth, and I'll bout
ship this minute and take you home"
And don't you want to go through with
1t. skipper?'
81 don't see my tastes need be mention
ed. said the sailor. stiftiy. "You are my
owner. sir. I'm here to do as I'm bid.
Capt. Owen Kettle" said the other
with laugh that had got some sour earn
est at the back of it, you're a cantank-
eTous little beggar. I sailed with you be-
fore. and found the most delightful of ship
mates / sail with you now and you keep
me always at boat-hook's length away
from you. Re hanged If I see what I've
done TO stiffen you"
Sir" said Kettle. "on the Sultan of Ror-
neo YOU We're my guest: on this Yacht you
are my owner; there's all the difference in
the world"
You wish to point out I suppose that
a shipmaster looks upon an owner as his
natural enemy. he does the board Of
trade Still 7 don't think / personally have
deserved that"
Il am as 1 have been made sir, and 1
suppose | can't help it,
You are a man with some wonderfully
developed weaknesses. However as to GO
ing back, I'm not going to stultify myself
by doing that now. Well the thing
through now. whatever happens"
Martin Carnforth nodded curtly and got