The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-03
CHAPTER XIIf-Continued


that one of the middle chains was
broken, and the better to repair it sail
was taken In, and the Wanderer came
to anchor.
Capt. Denham and every man on
board the ship, with the exception OF
Fox and Frenauld, believed that the
break in the middle chain was the re-
suit Of accident.
Capt. Fox and his Lieutenant arranged
the accident In advance, and they even
knew the point where 1t was to happen.
THE Wanderer needs overhauling,
and hope to be able to do so in New
York." said Capt. Fox, coming down to
the cabin where Ralph Denham was
reading.
How long will the break detain your"
asked Ralph, who was naturally anx-
ious to report In advance Of the time
named In the Governors order.
1T IL worse than at first supposed,
but we shall be under way again early
in the afternoon. The only way Is to
have patience.
Patience is very essential to the
sailor. But this is not a bad place to
be imprisoned for a few extra hours,
said Ralph. looking admiringly about
the luxurious cabin.
Consider 1t all yours. my dear Capt.
Denham. We shall have dinner In an
hour, and II you feel like turning in
after that, Don, nodding in the direc-
ton Of the bright-looking cabin boy,
will show you to your cabin; by the
way, 1t was occupied for a week by an
Indian princess, the daughter Of the
King Of Dude"
"That certainly will not be an objec-
ton, laughed Ralph, his thoughts go
ing back to his own beautiful princess,
to whom, he felt very confident, all the
rest Of the world could not produce an
equal.
It was the custom in this era, on land
and sea. when the elements permitted,
to dine at high noon.
Promptly at ~, Don came to an
nounce dinner. 1t was served In an
ether cabin, with plates for three.
At the fete given on board the Wan
derer. Ralph Denham was amazed at
the lavish display OF costly plate, and
the extravagant iibations OF rare wines.
He then supposed that this was the
grand effort OF great occasion; con-
siderable then was his surprise at find-
ing the cabin table as richly set as at
the fete, while the dinner itself was
0uCu H6 Cu6 0ONtIuOK Va thC piOVAuOo
could not duplicate with all the re-
sources of the city at his command.
L am afraid" said Ralph Denham,
when he, Fox and Frenauld were seated
at the board, that II were to remain
long with you, that / should be wholly
untitled for service on board ship
where the officers were forced to de-
pend on their rations for subsistence.
and their own small pay for luxu-
ries.
you would soon get used to it, and
Hike It," said Captain Fox, refilling
Ralph Domains glass from fagon, OF
which neither he nor Frenauld tasted.
"A sailors life, at the best, Is one OF
danger and privaton, and my motto is
to make the best OF 1t. Thanks to my
ancestors, have large estate in
England, and the question with me,
when first got command OF q ship,
was, shall let that property go on
accommodating on shore till retire, and
am too old to enjoy it, or shall / spend
. goodly portion OF 1t for the enjoyment
OF myself and shipmates2' l decided
ON tho latter course, and so far / have
no reason to regret 1t.
"You hive, no doubt, acted wisely,
but had l been in your place, said
Ralph, Il think should have dreaded
to mako the experiment"
why so?"
Luxury would demoralize me, per-
haps because / am not used to 1T; and
then my men, who are provincials, and,
outside Of duty, think themselves just
as good as am, would growl unless I
shared with them.
INV men have their share OF the Cap
tain's good things. II the authorities
knew of it, Of course there would be no
end of trouble, and they would accuse
me OF injuring the service; but when
aver the time comes for hard work, in
storm or battle, my men are not found
wanting"
They certainly behaved admirably
we'll while In Sag HArbor," eaid Ralph;
and he uttered no compliment, for the
crew OF the Wanderer, though as fierce
q looking lot Of desperadoes as ever put
foot on shore, behaved themselves In a
way that excited the admiration OF the
settlers.
This was the result Of the strictest
discipline and constant watching. There
was not a sailor on the Wanderer who
did not understand the true character
of his ship, and who did not appreciate
the great necessity for caution. And
then. had one of them broken the rules,
that were kept in their minds morning,
noon. and night, he well knew that the
penalty would have been chains and the
lash. aud for the second offense death.
AWhen it can be done with safety to
the ship and without dishonor to the
service, / relax and let the men go
ashore and get rid of their excess o!
spirits. They are devils here. sure
enough, but they come on board thor-
ouphly exhausted and as tractabie az
tame lambs. Try little more OF this
wine. Captain Denham. will guaran-
foe that there is not headache IN
cargo OF It," said Fox, again raising the
particular axg0g.
-puc I am not accustomed to wine,
replied Ralph, who did not like 1T
neither did he wish to appear indineren'
to the conspicuous kindness OF his host
you cannot cultivate the taste for
this particular brand, am sorry to say,
for don't think there are ten gallons
OF 1t in this hemisphere. There, one
more glass will not affect you. unless.
indeed, 1t makes you fesl sleepy. and Il
1t should, i promise you that you viii
rise refreshed, and there is your ab.n,
said Fox, pointing to an open door.
Before Ralph could reuse a. SEE ond
time Frenanlsi .cacael out his gla .,
aud mi I