Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-03-03
CHAPTER VIII.-CoNT1NUED.

CHAPTER VIII.-CoNT1NUED.
I got below, and in great WEAKNESS
put down Mr.. Tym's box and fetched u
glance around. BY degrees, as l be-
came accustomed to the duskiness,
made out the features of the place.
1t was low for the bigness of the
ship, and was furnished after q very
poor and rough sort. The hunks and
hammocks were old and fit to drop
apart, none of the timbers or work of
the ship were smoothed except by the
friction of use, and Il mere dilapidated
fence served as bulkhead to part off
the cooks quarters. Luckily the
smells of the place, i'll as they were
for all was disordered and dirty-were
not of the worst, for at this time both
q windward and a leeward port stood
partly open, and the passage of the
small breeze through served to sweep
out the chiefest of the odors.
We did not come by a good knowl-
edge of the place instantly, for it was
somewhat dimly lighted, the port on
the larboard side being closed and that
upon the starboard standing scarce two
inches upon the hook, but upon peer
ing about bit at first one feature and
then another came out. g, -
We had taken two or three steps for
ward, and I was casting a glance in
the direction of the cooks furnace,
when an object nearly concealed by it
{hSc T ,,rocorf1xy
the cook himself. He had been sitting
on box, with his elbows on his knees,
or in some manner bowed forward, and
rose up as we stopped and looked alert
ly at us. He was little fellow, in
clined to be pursy, and near all his
figure was hidden by long white
apron, his face, however, coming out
in the winks of a short pipe. l dis
covered that he had light hair, which
is not common among the Spanish, and
this made me notice him little more
than 1 should otherwise have done.
He came out from his place, seeing US
halt, and made little civil gesture,
upon which bowed gravely and gave
him good morning.
."Beunos dias," he responded, and
then, to my great surprise, softly
added: but guide marning in the
auld tongue, if sac yell haze it."
He took out his pipe as he spoke and
crossed over to us.
What, a Sandy!" cried, delighted,
land what is he doing here?''
l seized his hand and gave it most
cordial grip, as did also my compan-
ions. 'Gae bit cautiously he whis-
pered, with n meaning nod toward the
forecastle. eye mauna seem over
pleased You'll find this a pleasant
ship" he added in Spanish, "and able
in all weathers. I take it yonder is
where you are to sling your ham
snocks.''
My companions caught the point hs
would make. which was to avoid the
jealousy or suspicion of the boat
swain, and they did not interrupt,
while 1 returned a suitable answer.
'Peteetion to sling your hammocks
noo," he swiftly whispered, as ended.
Likewise say bawldly that We need g..
mickle rest, and wad haze a bit drink
and a sup"
nodded and asked aloud'for 4 pipe.
mine is broken I said in Spanish,
land you know what seaman is with
out his clay"
''I am to ask the boatswain to grant
US little time below" I whispered to
my companion. "Feign overcoming
-
With this signed to my companions
to follow, and returned to the fore
castle. The boatswain had lighted his
own pipe and was sitting on one of the
mems boxes. firing away in leisurely
puffs.
I made heavily along to him, exag-
gerating my real WEAKNESS, and pre-
ferred my request.
"Aye, if you like he replied, care
lessly. "Yonder. in that corner, you
will fud three hammocks. Sling them
and afterward take your bite. Aye,
and have turn with the pipe. \ sea-
man is naught without his clay, and
you will be filter for the work"
I thanked him and translated the
talk to my companions.
We were not long. saving that we
dared not mend our pace too suddenly,
in singing the hammocks and dispos-
ing of our few effects.
It was now the beginning of the first
dog watch, and none of the men were
in the forecastle. The time was sea-
sonable, and we fastened to begin our
confab with the cook. We asked him
first what had brought him on Span
ish ship, for we Britons are not often
found on such, and in answer he gave
US brief but consistent story of ship
ping from Scotch port and in smart
blow falling overheard. to be picked
up Just in the nick of time by Span
jsh coaster. She carried him to Ma!a