The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-21

singing smack on the cheek from a
wet swab-pellet.
"Owr' he cried, clapping his hand to
the spot and dropping the plate he
held with crash. Turning, he beheld
Tubby standing in the doorway scarce
ly 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-headi' said Tubby,
deliberately planting another pellet in
the stewards port eye before he
lodged round the mizzenmast- You
couldn't catch lame hen, you pot
wallopedr'
AS the angry man danced about the
most in a frantic endeavor to lay hold
of his elusive tormentor, Tubby sud
denly squared up to him, tented and
slapped his face. Then the boy, as
though frightened, turned and fed
through the open door; the steward,
now filled with rage, almost to explod-
ing point, followed closely at his heels.
No sooner had Biggs cleared the sill
of the cabin entrance, however, than
the doors were shut behind him, and
his retreat cut off by Masters, who.
since the captain had sanctioned the
fight, had appointed himself referee.
Out on the sunny quarterback, the
little man opened his piggy eyes in
establishment. On the poop, looking
down upon him severely, stood the
captain and second mate; forward of
the mainmast stood a group of grin
ming forecastlemen and idlers: the
chief in his pjamas. was seated on
the BOBBY hatch, Masters had his back
against the cabin doors, and before
him, barefooted and stripped for action,
their heads back and their fists up,
stood the two younger apprentices.
Come on" shouted the jubilant
Tubbv.
Come on!' echoed Warburton, vic
iously.
Put up your dukes and fight fair,
now, Biggs," added the referee.
The steward paled. He looked round
helpleSSly for moment; then, putting
his head down, he made a blind, bull
like rush at his antagonists. The boys
parted and peppered him on both ears
as he passed. Maddened and exas-
perated, the pantry turned and
came on again, whirling his arms like
windmill. One of his swings, by
chance, took Warburton under the
chin and stretched him on the deck.
In an instant, however, the boy was up
again, attacking with the ferocity of
a young tiger. Tubby backed him up
with stiff, well-considered digs in the
enemy's ribs. Between them they
drove their opponent down to the lee
bulwarks, where the fight became a
very earnest affair; 70 rthe steward.
feeling the pin-rail at his back, was
forced to make a stand With his
mouth open, his eyes like those of a
hunted animal, and his nose staining
the white deck, he fought for a little
while ike a man. Twice Tubby went
sprawling under his smuggling blows.
The persistent onslaughts of the boys,
however, soon Slapped his courage He
turned his back upon them at last,
and, covering his face with his arms,
cried:
Stop 'em, cap'um, for Gods sake,
stop EN-! They're KILN met
Have you had enough?" painted
Warburton.
'.Ay, go way from me- Anil give
in"
viii you ever stop our duff again?"
said Tubby. Ever stop our MARINA
lade, or anything
Never. All sweer it," answered the
steward, humbly.
Come in amidships and apologize,
then" and the two boys led their vic
tim to the BOBBY hatch.
Down on your knees,' commanded
Warburton
The steward knelt stify before them,
and, amid the laughter of the assem-
bled crew, repeated after the youngster
the following:
Gentlemen of the 'alf-deck. l 'umbly
begs your pardon for the orfuI lies
Ah'ye told, an for my wicked, mean,
hacts doorin' the passage.
Ah'm deeply sorry for all Alive done,
an promise to be'ave myself like a
respectable stooward as long as Ah'm
in this ship. An All hacknowledge my
sell hass an hijut of the first
water"
There. that's enough" said the mate
from the poop. You boys go to your
quarters now. And you, steward. swab
up that blood of yours, and see that
you do it 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.
Tubby. you're an ungrateful little
beast" said the senior apprentice.
Didn't L think it all out, and plan
everything" 80
Yes, but look at my eye," remarked
the fat boy.
And my nose" added Warburton.
Pooh, that's nothingi" said Masters.
When you've been to sea as long as
[ have, you'll take such things philo-
THE END.
PERFORMING GEESE.