The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-30

lighthouses were few in number, small
and. as a rule but poorly equipped, so
that the officers collecting the tax were
OFTEN tainted with burning dog-lsh OH
In their llghtsl
Buoys were TO be met with only at
rare intervals. though In some harDofs
private individuals attempted 70 exc out
their incomes by placing spruce poles OH
certain distractions TO navigation ana
soliciting their reward from visiting YES
sci, A our government exacted no such
lighthouse tax from foreign vessels. it
was generally considered the proper
thing to evade if possible, and IN order TO
do this. it was only necessary to Keep
out OF hailing distance Of the beats crews
stationed here and there 10 collect these
dues. Could a craft manage TO do this,
she was not liable 20 the tax-just as is
to-day the case on our own shores in
regard to collecting pilotage fees.
Now Skipper Tobias, having recently
been nseced, as he regarded IL. had on
this trip made a solemn vow never TO
be caught mapping again; ne was de-
termined to balk the officers by maneuv-
ering his vessel so as 10 prevent their
approao hing within the necessary dis
tancs. On this occasion he had worked
his sturdy little round-bowed "pinkey,'
Gut OF Canso. when just at dark the wind
failed him entirely. and he was obliged
10 anchor in a position which, as he well
knew exposed him to a visit from one OF
the detested government boats. Being so
far advanced into that moisture-laden
cline It is but reasonable TO surmise
thta he had taken his usual method of
cleaning the cobwebs from his eyes; and
on this particular night with the laud-
able design Of frustrating any visit from
the greedy hirelings Of Her Brittanic
Majesty, he doubtless deemed il expe-
dent TO sharpen his vision by an extra
dose or two of the wcll-known prescrip-
ton. Fully realizing the danger of his
present anchorage. he decided to keep
strict watch on deck himself. and to get
under way again the instant there was
breeze enough TO warrant It.
But the weather. though overcast and
threatening. remained perfectly calm
until lust after daylight and the skipper
had about made up his mind 10 be mulct-
ed OF light-money again with as good
grace as possible-though In imagination
he already heard the jibes and jeers of
the brother shippers whom lac expected
TO meet In the Gulf OF St. Lawrence on
Joining the Yankee fleet there
For the hftieth time I'm the night he
levelied his Old canNas-covered spy
glass and peered anxiously towards
the shore. Holy Smoke, There she
was at iast-a four-oared boat with
man I'm the stern. just starting OF in
the direction of the 'Chc nticleer'l But
while ne was taking a second long look
at her, great drop OF rain struck the
back OF his hand. followed by the loud
pattersng OF others on the deck. Almost
AT the same moment from the black
bank OF cloud In the Northwest, there
came heavy gust OF wind. flashing the
water into miniature white caps and
causing the hallisrds to beat q lively
tattoo upon the nasts
In = half dozen bounds skipper Tobias
rushed forward, selling as he went the
loose thwart from boat on deck. with
which ne delivered couple OF resound-
Ing whacks upon the fore-scuttle. just
oysr the heads OF the sleeping crew.
sZsyu cut 70 bullies." he reared. AN