Evening star., 1898-07-30

Union official watching him from some
where on the qusys, and If she was trimmed
an inch above her marks the Sultan of La
buan would ever be let go through the
outer dock gate. So the burden was limit
ed 10 its legal bounds, and Kettle got his
clearance papers with the same fierce busi-
ress-like hustle, and came back and step
ped lightly up on the tramp's upper bridge.
The pilot was there. waiting for him.
half admitting half repelled; the Old blue
faced mate and the carpenter were on the
forecastle head, the second mate was Aft
the chief himself and the third engineer
were at the throttle and the reversing gear
below. The ships entire complement. had
quite surrender ed to the sway of this new
taskmaster, and stood in their coal CRIME
ard their tiredness, ready to jump at his
bidding.
Bristol channel tides are high, and the
current of the Usk is swift. 1t was going
to be quick work if they did not miss the
tide, and the pilot, who had no special
stake in the matter. said it could not be
done. Kettle, however, thought otherwise,
and the pilot in consequence saw some sea-
back.
by gum, captain" he said when they
were fairly. out of the river, you can
handle her.
wait till / know her, pilot, and then I'll
show YOU"
Haven't got nerves enough. Look you,
captain. you'll be having a bad crumple-lp
IL you hustle big-loaded steamboat about
docks at that rate"
Never bent a plate in my Iife."
We'll. l hope you never will. Look you,
now; you're a little tin wonder In the way
of SeamanShip."
"Quartermaster," said Kettle tell nv
steward to bring two goes of whisky up
here on the bridge. Pilot, if you say such
things to me, you make me feel like a girl
with a new dress, and>I want q drop of
Dutch courage to keep my bushes back"
We'll" said the pilot, when the whisky
came. here's lots of cargo captain, of
good bonuses"
Here's deep-draught steamers for you,
pilot. and plenty of water under EN-"
The whisky drained down it's appointed
channels, and the pilot said: by the by,
I've this for you captain" and brought
out a letter card.
"Typewritten address," said Kettle mo
pCstmark on the stamp. Who's it from?"
Man l came across. Look you, though
1 didAt know him. But he said there was
a useful tip In the letter, which 1t would
please you to have after you sailed"
Kettle tore off the perforated edges and
looked inside the card. Here was another
anonymous communication. also from Well
Wisher, and, as before. warning him
against the Vaccinations Of Gedge Got
no idea who the man was who gave it
your" he asked.
Well, did have bit of talk with him
and drink, and / rather gathered he
might have had something to do with in
surance. But he didn't say his name. Why,
isn't he a friend Of yours?'
| can't be quite sure yet" He did not add
that the anonymous writer guaranteed him
a present of f5O If the Sultan of Labuan
drew no insurance money till he had moor
| ed her in Port Said.
From the very outset the voyage Of TIL
Sultan of Labuan vas unpropitious Pc
fore she was clear of the Usk 1t was found
| that three more of her crew hqd managed
| to slip away shore. and so were gone be-
yond replacement. While she was still in
| the brown, muddy waters of the Bristol
| channel. there were several breakdowns in
| the engine room which necessrated stop
| pages and anxious repairs. The engines OF
the Sultan of Labuan were her weak spot.
| for otherwise her hull was sound enough.
| But these machines were old and wastefuI
| economy which divides profit from a loss
| In these modern days of fierce sea compe-
| tition.
With Murgatroyd. the old blue-faced
mate, Kettle had been shipmates before
| and there existed between the two men q
strong dislike and certain mutual esteem
| They interviewed over duty matters when
| the pilot left. "Mr. Murgatroyd" said the
little skipper, you'll keep matches off and
do everything for ventilation This Welsh
Goals as gassy as petroleum.
AYE. aye" rambled the mate. but
| how about when heavy weather comes snd
| the decks are full of water?'
| You'll have fresh orders from me be-
| fore then. Get your hoses to work now
| and sluice down. The ships q pigsty''
| Aye, aye. But the hands are dog-tired "
Then It's your place to drive them.
should have thought you'd been Ions
enough at sea to know that But II yoT
l aren't up to your business, Just say, and