The San Francisco call., 1898-02-06

still more unlucky to kill one. But knowing nothing the mate, spirited young fellow, rushed blindly to his fate.
 For some reason this officer took a violent antipathy to our poor little black cat, and we had hardly cleared the chops of the channel when he made up his mind to execute it. Of re- monstrance there was none, for the sailors, though they shook their heads gravely, dared not say anything to one in such high authority. And the skip per considered it beneath his dignity to interfere.
 I had just made it six bells. or ' o'clock, one evening, when the mate came up from his berth in a violent rage. Where's that adjectived cat?" he demanded
 Of course l did not know, but I was immediately dispatched to find the creature and bring it aft-penalty for failure severe ropes ending. I am sorry to say I found that cat quite speedily, knowing it's habits and the warmth of the galley stove.
 Only the man at the wheel and my self witnessed the tragedy, but of course the story was all over the ship the next day. You cannot keep any thing secret at sea. Taking the cat to the lee side of the poop. just abaft the mizzen rigging, the mate did it to death with a revolver, and tossed it's still Quivering body into the sea. I had reason to remember the time and the place afterward.
 Knowing nothing of the gossip of the galley, or the still more ominous nut terings of the forecastle, the mate went about his duties unconcerned, and our voyage bid fair to be prosperous The black cat did not turn up in ghoStly form moving her hideous way around the decks. No one appeared to be haunted, and there was nothing to in- dicate the awful doom which the rash officer had prepared for himself
 We drifted across the doldrums. clawed our way with difficulty off the Brazil coast, for the southeast trades blew fresh and strong, and ran down our casting in the forties before strong westerly gales, which brought our days run into respectfully large f1g- ures. Nothing happened to our stanch craft, and just as the setting sun was gliding the domeS of Bombay we sailed into that magnificent harbor.
 It was a gala time in that splendid city by the sea, aAd we had come just at the right moAent to see the fun. The harbor was crowded with men-of- war, handsome. ftll-rigged frigates of the old school, not mere modern boxes of machinery. Ashore Oriental ex- travagance gave itself full swing: the city was crowded with Eastern poten- tateS in gorgeous array, all come to do homage to the Prince of Wales.
 It was a great day for Bombay, and for all India, when the stately white painted Serapis, the finest of Indian troopships, steamed pAsI the fort and anchored abreast the city. amid the deafening roar of salutes, the manning of yards, the dipping of flags and a hundred other ceremonious observ- ances which I have no time to repeat here.
 What has all this to do with the "black cat? 2" you will ask Wait and see The defunct pussy, so brutally murdered, is soon to nave her turn.
 Naturally, being oniy merchant sailors, we did not take very promi- nent part in the festivities which fol- lowed the Princes arrival. But as the finest and largest sailing vessel in the harbor we were anchored at the end of the line near the Serapis, and were supposed to play passive part in inn pressing his Royal Highness with the majesty of British commerce.
 There came an evenfng, however, when our passive waiting was to be changed to activity. The festivities on shore had nearly worn themselves out, and, by way of a brilliant finale. the harbor was to be illuminated. The