El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-09
PAGES 9 TO u.

over the sea.
The attendant Tritons were got uu
In the same fashion, and all wore false
noses of singular size and great bril-
lance, with low wigs and long tails.
On Neptune and his goddess receiv-
ing a dram and questioning the cap
tain abou his crew, it was discovered
that Antonio and 1 were the only two
on board who had never crossed the
line before; w~hereupon the Tritons
whooped and danced as they laid vio-
lent hands On me. I submitted to the
usual shaving and so forth with a
good grace, and compounded, to avoid
other annoyances, for two bottles of
brandy, and ascending to the main
cross-trees without going through the
lubber's hole. But for the Cubano
there was neither ransom, escape nor
outlet; and the poor wretch, in conse-
quence of his mysterious antecedents.
was very roughly handled, the more SO
that he had threatened to use his knife
if molested.
1t was soon trundled out of his hand
by n body of Tritons, while another
soused him well with salt water as he
was conveyed past the long boat,
which was dashed amidships, and in
which they were stationed with buck
cts ready filled.
Held fast on every side, he was
brought before the "goddess-born" and
memorable monarch of the main. who
ordered "the Lord Chief Barber at
once to shave him."
Now, as Antonio had a rather lux
uriant beard n mustache, the plenti-
full application thereto OF a
Of tar and slush, such as we used for
greas1ng the masts, was the reverse of
but the stern orders of Nep-
tune, which were beloved hoarsely
through a tin trumpet, were faithfully
and deliberately obeyed, and the con
tents of a dirty iron pot were smeared
over the cheeks, beard and mouth of
the Cubano by Billy, a mischievous
ship-boy, with ar u~nsparing hand.
"Demonio! Maldita!" was heard at
intervals, n greeted with laughter:
when he attempted to storm or
swear b brush-a reeking tuft of
into his mouth.
The Lord Chief Barber was now
to remove this noisome
ness with his razor, and he scraped it
III with a piece of hoop, which had
'een carefully notched for. the purpose
process which, Is it uprooted SUM-
Try thick portions of Antonio's coal
lack br1stles, caused him to yell and
out hoarse Spanish oaths al
ernately.
He was again deluged with salt
7ater; and greater seventies were,
bout to De pGactissd uR q hip as
his head in the hood of the cooks
unnel," when Weston ransomed him
Or two bottles of brandy, and he was
ermitted to stink away to his bunk,
reathing vengeance against all his
GrOg was again served round, the
eek was cleared for a dance, and the
rev footed the hours away in a sue
ession of hornpipes, while the grim
lay growing in the f~orecastle.
'hree cheers for the Captain, and
hree more for Marc Hislop, terminated
fun, and all but the watch retired
'elow.
''They have gone too far with that
elbow, as some of us may discover be-
ore the voyage comes to a Close" said
Iislop, when we were having a parting
lass in the cabin.
1eS, replied WeSCOn, ne Is q
lark dog, and though I am not very
ich, I would give a hundred pounds
o fathom the mystery of l Roberts
Well, here's to our
wives and s~weethearts at home"
"I have neither sweetheart nor wife,"
aid His1op, as he tossed OF his glass:
but I have a poor old mother who
owes me as well as either could do"
Weston's y ~waL1ered to the por-
rats of his wife and child, to whom
ne was tenderly attached, and for
whom all his savings, by salary, ton
and hat-money, were carefully
noarded; for whom, poor fellow, he
tempted the dangers of the great deep.
wal of the elements, and endured
hardships of a sailors life-his
wife, his little one and their home
his all; his sheet-anchor in this
world, and his guide to the next" as
once heard him say, forcibly and
strangely.
ITO Be Continued mex .~turday.