The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-21

done anything to deserve ii. sir"
oh. you boys! You boysV' answered the
captain. And you may go and tell him
from me that If he takes upon himself
the right to give any more orders, Ill
stop his pay"
as they jubLantly turned to leave the
poop.
The next minute, however. warburton
was back again.
Excuse me. sir. but have you any OBJ
lection TO our punching his head2" he
asked.
None at all. If you can do It," an
swered the captain, struggling to control
his face.
A few minutes later. the steward wiping
dishes In the pantry, received a singing
smack on the cheek from a wet swab-peI-
let.
"Ow!" he cried. clapping his hand 10 the
spot and dropping the plate he held with
a crash. Turning, he behefd Tubby stand
ing In the doorway scarcely an arms
length away grinning at him in the most
barefaced manner.
Dash thee, tina braazen yoong brat" he
exclaimed, as he darted at the boy
earn, you fat-headr said Tubby, de-
iiherately planting another pellet in the
stewards port eye before he lodged round
The mizzenmast. You couldn't catch a
lame men, you pot-WalloperW
As the angry man danced about the mast
in frantic endeavor to lay hold OF his
elusive tormentor, Tubby suddenly squared
up to him, tented and slapped his face
Then the boy, though frightened, turn
ed and fed through the open door; the
steward, now filled with rage, almost to
exploding point, followed closely at his
heels. No sooner had Blggs cleared the sin
OF the cabin entrance, however than the
doors were shut behind him, and his re-
treat cut off by Masters, who since the
captain had sanctioned the fight, had APP
pointed himself referee
Out on the sunny quarterback, the lit
| We man opened his piggy eyes In aston
| lshment On the poop looking down upon
him severely, stood the captain and Sec
ond mate; forward of the malnmast stood
a group Of grinning forecastlemen and
oilers; the "chief" In his pyiamas. was
seated on the BOBBY hatch, Masters had
| ms back against the cabin doors, and be-
| lore him, barefooted and stripped for ac-
uon. their heads back and their fists up.
stood the two younger apprentices.
come onl' shouted the jubilant Tubby,
ly.
Put up your dukes and fight fair. now,
Blggs," added the referee.
The steward paled. He looked ro,na
helplessly for a moment; then. putting ne
mead down, he made blind, bull-lllxe rush
az ms antagonists. The boys parted and
peppered him on both cars as he passed.
Maddeped and exasperated, the pantrv-
man turned and came on again. whirling
ms arms like a windmill One of hia
swings by accident, took Warburton un-
der the chin and stretched him on the
Deck In an Instant, however. the boy
was up again, attacking with the ferocltv
OF young tiger. Tubby backed him mn
with stbn, well considered digs In the enc
my riDs. Between them they drove their
opponent down to the lee bulwarks. where
the hight became a very earnest affair.
TOT the steward, feeling the pn-rall at his
Dack. was forced TO make a stand with
his mouth open, his eyes like those OF 4
hunted animal and his nose staining the
white deck, he fought for little while
IKE a man Twice Tubby went SPRAYING
under his slugging blows. The persistent
ouslaughts of the boys, however, soon sap
ped mis- courage. He turned his back
upon them al last. and covering his face
with his arms, cried
stop EN-, cap'um, for Gods sake. stou
EN-! They're kiln mer'
Have you had enough?' painted War
burton.
"Ay, ga way from me. Ah'u give I'M
VIII you ever stop our dun again?''
said Tubby. Ever stop our marmalade.
or anything?"
Never. All swear g." answered tho
steward humbly
Come In amidships and apologize. then"
and the two boys led their victim to the
BOBBY hatch.
Down on your kneesg' commanded
Warburton
The steward knelt stihiy before them.
and amid the laughter of the assembled
crew repeated after them the follow
ing:
Gentlemen OF the 'alf deck, 'umbly
begs your pardon for the orful lies Alive
told, an for my wicked, mean, contempt
ible hacts doorin' the passage. Am deeply
sorry for all, Alive done, an promise 10
be'ave myself like a respectable stooward
as long as Ah'm In this ship An An
| hacknowledge myself a bass an a hijut
of the first water"
There, that's enough" said the mate
from tho poop you boys go to your
quarters now. And you, steward, swab
up that blood of yours, and see that you
do II properly"
''I'll tell you, fellows" said Masters.
when the trio reached the half-deck.
there's nothing like sticking up for YOUR
rights. We've made an example OF the
steward and gained the respect of the
whole ship"
"A fat lot you did," sneered Tubby.
'"rubby, you're an ungrateful little
beast" said the senior apprentice.
Didn't l think 1t all out and plan every
thing?"
Yes. but look at my eye" remarked
the fat boy.
"And my nose" added Warburton.
Pooh. that's nothlng! said Masters.
when you've been to sea as long as I
have, you'll take such things philoso-
phically."
The End.
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