The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-08
CHAPTER II.

| The steamer Red Wing was makins
her way down the Mississippi river at {
rate which her irritated passengers de-
scribed as snail's pace. One Of them,
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 a 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 mopping his
broad, red face vigorously with hand
kerchief 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 ocn-
trolling this trip Of the boat, which
stood him instead Of wife, child and
home, were not normal, and her Gap
tain in consequence was in that irasci-
bic frame Of mind which had long
since procured him the nickname of
Old Peppercorn.
As the Rev Mr.. Molesworth stepped
gingerly over the space between them
Old Peppercorn gave his big handker.
chief an impatient shake.
well, pTson, you walk as If the
deck of the Red Wing was o mantrap.
amt set any spring guns aboard" he
said.
The minister accepted this tart jest
with becoming meekness as be came to
halt u front Of the captain.
II say, my dear captain, but this is
just something dreadful. Couldn't you
put on q 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?'
"To preach, SIR" said the Rev.
Wordsworth with an access of stiffness,
'at II a. M"
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 a
few more pounds Of steam.
Old Peppercorn glanced at the preach
er with twinkle of humor in his blue
eyes,
well, guess Cloverdell might get
over it, but it is hard on you. That ser.
mon won't be preached at II o'clock a.
m. in the Oloyerdell Methodist church
tomorrow"
won't be preached?"
"No, sir; leastways not by you"
u should like to know why"
II could give you whole bushel Of
why's, sir, if saw fit" The captains
voice was pitched to an angry key.
but one will have to do you. The Red
Wings going down stream under ad-
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 q parson and a white
horse That always brings bad luck"
The Rev. Wordsworth waved his bony
hand majestically.
II have heard that silly superstition
before"
Doubtless, doubtless. worn't
claiming any originality for the idee."
If that is all we have against u.s.
"Oh, but it amt, by jugfull 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 I was treading Oh egg
shells if l 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
Cloverdell, SO you may as we'll possess
your soul in patience, parson. Take
chair"
With tardy hospitality the captain
showed 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 has been going on in the saloon
ever since we started from Memphis"
The captain turned on him with an
angry snort: I
well, sir, if you're constrained, let
us have 1t, but I'm not gambling, so 7
you can save your lecture for them down :
stairs, and am not under contract to I
look after the morals Of my passengers.
| suppose you are talking about Reggie f
Belknap and that black whiskered fell I
low that came aboard with him." o
II am" said the minister gravely.
That boy-he Is hardly anything o
more-looks almost Wild a
The captain brought his chair vio- b
ently down on its four legs and thrust i
mis- hands angrily through his thick, g
gray hair. o
I'm not going to pretend approve f
If any such goings on, for l don't. But r.
whatca l do? like Belknap liked
lis father before him. He was one of ri
he best friends the Red Wing ever had
iefei Woulu sup Dale OF COGtOn Dy d
my other boat even if did get lee ii
lie behind time. But I know the Bel b
maps from the stump up. If was to
ay a Word to that boy down stairs t,
bout them cards, he would just as like
IS not to tell me hold my jaw. amt
much Of a meddler, and the Belknaps
re fire and tow. No, sir, it wouldn't
10 at all. I'd be insulted on my own :,
oat, and I'd have to grin and bear it," y I,
The minister of God, kindly If a u
arrow soul, felt impelled to make one u
more suggestion in the cause Of moral. .
ty. al
"The other man, then-can nothing "
9 said to him? Why, captain, there is 4,
rumor afloat on the boat that young y
'elknap has actually put his plantation "
p for stakes" ..
"What? The devilr' IL
Old Peppercorn sprang to his feet and l.
aced the man at the wheel with the '.
a.
"Turn her nose to dis the shore, Billy. Il
and at the first point you can without
her." d
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