The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-10
[Continued.]
CHAPTER II.

scribed as snail's pace, One OF them,
q Methodist minister who could con-
ceive of no greater calamity Detailing
than for his pulpit to be found empty
the coming Sunday morning, was moved
TO enter peevish but futile protest.
He climbed the steep steps leading to
the hurricane deck In search of the cap
tain. He found him sitting in coatless
comfort in front Of the pilothouse. His
chair was tilted back on two legs within
easy conversational distance Of the man
at the wheel. He was hopping his
broad, red face vigorously with hand
kerohief as large as dinner napkin as
he stared out over the sun baked banks
and yellow water with troubled eyes.
Under normal conditions the captain
of the Red Wing was one OF the most
genial of men, but the conditions con-
trolling this trip of the boat, which
stood him instead of wife, child and
home, were not normal, and her cap
tain in consequence was in that irasci-
BILE frame of mind which had long
since procured him the nickname of
Old Peppercern.
As the Rev. Mr.. Wordsworth stepped
gingerly over the space between them
Old Peppercorn gave his big handker-
chief an impatient shake.
We'll, parson. you walk as if the
deck of the Red Wing was a mantrap.
amt set any spring guns aboard" he
said.
The minister accepted this tart jest
with becoming meekness as he came to
halt in front of the captain.
II say, my dear captain, but this is
just something dreadful. Couldn't you
put on few more pounds of steam? AT
the rate we are moving now run the
serious risk of missing my appoint
ment in Cloverdell for tomorrow morn
ing
"Your appointment to do what?''
ITO preach, SIR said the Rev.
Wordsworth with an access of stiffness,
lat l ! a. N.
He mechanically took out his watch
and consulted it, as if the captain of
the Red Wing must thereby be impress
ed with the Importance of putting on q
few more pounds of steam.
Old Peppercorn glanced at the preach.
er with twinkle of humor in his blue
eyes.
"Well, I guess Cloverdell might get
over it, but it is hard on you. That SER
mon won't be preached at IL o'clock a.
m. in the Cloverdell Methodist church
tomorrow.
sEWon,% 1,, ,,1-oo o11o52,s
"No, sir; leastways not by YOU"
81 should like te know why"
ST could give you whole bushel of
why's, sir, if saw fit. The captains
voice was pItched to an angry key.
"But onG will have to do you. The Red
Wings going down stream under adj
verse conditions that would swamp any
other boat afoat but her.
"What are the adverse conditions?'
''E'en almost everything For one
thing, she's carrying a job lot Of passen.
gers, including of parson and white
horse. That always brings bad luck"
The Rev. Wordsworth waved his bony
hand majestically.
81 have heard that silly superstition
before"
Doubtless, doubtless. I worn't
claiming any originality for the idee. "
eff that is all we have against u.s.
"Oh, but it amt, by a jugful! The
river is lower than ever was knowed at
this time of the year. Look at them
long stretches of sand. I've got to pick
my way like was treading on egg
shells if I don't want to fetch up on
sand bar. Furthermore, we're loaded
down to the gunwale with freight for
almost every landing betwix' this and
Cloyerdell, SO you may as well possess
your soul in patience, parson. Take a
chair
With tardy hospitality the captain
showed a chair toward his visitor with
one foot. The minister sat down with a
resigned sigh.
Speaking Of your passengers, cap
tain, am constrained to express my
disapproval Of the continuous card play
ing that hss been going on in the saloon
ever since we started from Memphis"
The captain turned Oh nm with an
angry snort;
"Well, sir, if you're constrained, let
as have it, but I'm not gambling, SO
you can save your lecture for them down
stairs, and I am not under contract to
look after the morals Of my passengers
! suppose you are talking about Reggie
Belknap and that black whiskered fell |
low that came aboard with him.
81 am,'' said the minister gravely. |
"That boy-he is hardly anything
more--looks almost wild"
The cartain brought his chair vic.
lently down on its four legs and thrust
his hands angrily through his thick,
gray hair.
"I'm not going to pretend I approve
of any such goings on. for don It. But
what can do? I like Belknap. liked
his father before him. He was one of
the best friends the Red Wing ever had
never would ship a bale of cotton by
any other boat even if did get lee
tie behind time. But I know the Bel.
knaps from the stump up. If l was to
say word to that boy down stairs
- L