Gilpin observer., 1899-06-01

in the same fashion, and all wore false
noses Of singular size and great brill
lance, with low wigs and long tails.
On Neptune and his goddess receiv-
ing a dram and questioning the cap
tain about his crew, it was discovered
that Antonio and l were the only two
on board who had never crossed the
line before; whereupon the Tritons
whooped and danced as they laid vio-
lent hands on me. / 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 one body of Tritons, while another
soused him we'll with salt water as he
was conveyed past the long boat,
which was lashed amidships, and in
which they were stationed with buck
cts ready filed.
Held fast on every side, he was
brought before the goddess born" and
inexorable monarch of the main. who
ordered "the Lord Chief Barber at
once to shave him."
Now, as Antonio had a rather lux-
uriant beard and mustache, the plenti-
full application thereto of a compound
OF tar and slush, such as we used for
greasing the masts, was the reverse of
agreeable; but the stern orders of Nep-
tune, which were beloved hoarsely
through tin trumpet, were faithfully
and elaborately obeyed. and the con-
tents of dirty iron pot were smeared
over the cheeks, beard and mouth of
the Cubano by Billy, a mischievous
ship-boy, with an unsparing hand.
"Demonio! Maldita! was heard at
intervals, and greeted with laughter:
but when he attempted to storm or
swear the brush-a reeking tuft of
oil, tar and every horrid grease-was
thrust into his mouth.
The Lord Chief Barber was now
commanded to remove this noisome
mess with his razor, and he scraped IT
off with piece of hoop, which had
been carefully notched for the purpose
"a process which, as it uprooted sun
dry thick portions of Antonios coal
black bristles. caused him to yell and
sputter out hoarse Spanish oaths al
ternately.
He was again deluged with salt
water; and greater serverities were
about to be practiced upon him, as
some of the Tritons cried for 1.-The
ghost Of Roberts to come out of the
sea-" others. to Smoke him, by put
ting his head in the hood of the cooks
funnel" when Weston ransomed him
for two bottles of brandy. and he was
permitted to stink away to his bunk,
breathing vengeance against all his
tormentors.
Grog was again served round, the
deck was cleared for a dance, and the
crew footed the hours away in a sue
cession Of hornpipes, while the grim
Cubano lay growing in the forecastle.
Three cheers for the Captain, and
three more for Marc Hislop, terminated
the fun, and all but the watch retired
below.
"They have gone too far with that
fellow. as some of us may discover be-
fore the voyage comes to a close" said
Hislop. when we were having a parting
glass in the cabin.
YES" replied Weston; me Is a
dark dog, and though l am not very
rich. would give a hundred pounds
to fathom the mystery Of old Roberts
disappearance. Well, here's to our
wives and sweethearts at home"
II have neither sweetheart nor wife. 4"
said Hislop, as he tossed off his glass:
but l have poor old mother who
loves me as well as either could do. :"
Weston's eye wandered to the por-
traits of his wife and child, to whom
he was tenderly attached. and for
whom all his savings, by salary, ton
mage. and hat-money, were carefully
boarded; for whom, poor fellow, he
tempted the dangers Of the great deep,
the war OF the elements, and endured
the hardships of 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.