Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-02

sternsheets with the passengers. while two
| stout seamen bent to the oars.
The boat shot away for the landing and
Mr. Enlis set all hands to work rolling up
| the canvas. Night fell. and Capt. Breeze
came on deck and peered through the
gloom gloom for his boat. He wished to go
1t grew quite late. and the lights that had
fickered along the water front of the city
| began to disappear. Finally the sound of
oars was heard approaching, and the boat
| came alongside. 1t contained only the two
| sailors.
| Where's the second mater demanded
| Jimmy Breeze.
Gone up town, am said not to wait.
| He's not comm aboard again tonight" an
He amt, AMY h aesa' roared the skipper
| Which way did. he go?' And as he spoke
| he jumped into the small boat.
Slew her around quick an give way
strong"
They were soon heading for the landing
| was midnight when Capt Breeze
| reached town. and he was thirsty.
Wait here at the landing for me, he
| ordered, as he started up the street for
| the nearest saloon.
See anything of a tall fellow around
| here?' he asked the proprietor.
Inc proprietor shrugged his shoulders
and smiled. Tall men were plenty.
u mean a tall fellow with eyes what
amt mates an drawlin way O. speak
| in"
The mans face frightened He smiled
hopefully as he handed the skipper bottle
| OF rum and pitcher of cool water He
mad seen Just such fellow In company
with forid, smooth-faced man who had
| his wife with him.
That's Them said Jimmy Breeze.
Oh you'll find him two blocks further
| on. Big saloon he owns Plenty of light"
said the keeper
Jimmy Breeze felt in his pocket for mon
ey to pay his score There were only large
| bills. He hesitated a moment and then
asked for change. The fellow looked at the
note, held it up to the light, smiled, and
then returned 1t, shaking his head.
IN. g.. he muttered.
"What?" roared Breeze. mo good?
Course it's good, you blazing fool Gimme
the change"
The mans face fell He scowled sourly
beckoned to couple of men who were
playing dice at table Jimmy Breeze
backed to the door. Seeing they were not
hot to attack him. he backed into the
street and then went in the direction his
| second officer had gone.
In few minutes he reached we'll
lighted house from which loud noises is
sued He entered the door and found him
self In room with long tables at which
men sat drinking and playing games. At
| the further end of the room. at green
covered roulette. sat Mr. Algernon c. uood-
man. turning the magic wheel Beside
| him. dealing out checks and taking in cash,
| sat Mr.. Hidebrand. his new second mate.
| They both nodded pleasantly to him. but
| remained seated.
| What dye mean by not shown up"
demanded the skipper of his mate. what
| dye mean by leavin' me to go with this
rascal?" and he pointed at Mr.. Goodman.
| Some of the players around the table
| turned and gaZed at the intruder. Others
| looked bored. Mr.. Goodman rose and came
| forward to the irate captain. He took him
| by the arm and led him aside, or, rather.
tried to do so. but Jimmy Breeze shook
him off
Mr.. Goodman let him swear and rave for
some minutes, smiling bengnly upon him,
but Offering no opposition contradiction
TO his charges of passing counterfeit bills.
Finally. when the skipper grew tired, he
spoke out in his benevolent tones.
our forte Is running a ship and know
Ing men, said he.
Mine is playing. Never play against a
mans forte You're sure to lose See those
cards Of yours. No man who makes a forte
or playing would mark them plainly
Twon't do. No, sir. no thing simple as
that game Will do with man who has
forte. An l told you playing was my
forte"
You are a thief an cheat, an stealin's
your forte! roared the skipper
w ny. man, continued Mr.. Goodman,
SIN smiling "a stranger came into my
place here last year and wanted to bet 100
to that he could drink a gallon of rum at
one sitting. Yes. sir. he even offered 100 to
l. but wouldn't bet Then he offered POO
to ! ne could fly Yes. sir, 2oo to 1 he
could NY, and he didn't have any more
wings than you've got. But l wouldn't bet
him No. sir that flying game was his
forte. and if I'd bet him he surely would
have flown. That's dead certain; he would
nave flown away. Take my advice and
never bet against mans forte"
capt. Breeze waited no longer. He went
out into the night and back to his ship.
Mr. Enlis.' said he as he came over
the side. Il amt feeling well tonight so
don t wake me in the morning It's the
fever, IN afraid. Yaller Jack is ragin'
ashore and | wouldn't let the second mate
come, aboard again. You want to get our
SUN out early-an dom You put foot on
the beach, see? Don't you go ashore for M
Reason.
Aye, aye sir" answered the mate. look
ing puzzled.
Then Jimmy Breeze went below.