The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-06-05
GOODMAN'S FORTE
By T. JENKINS HAMS.
Author of the Wind TANNERS, Mr.. lrunneIi
Capt. Gore, Etc.
Copyright, 1860, by T. Jenkins Hams

Capt. Breeze was Of a suspicious ma
tnre. He was more. He was both true
ulent and suspicious, and because of the
latter quality he was much given 10 IN
dulging himself in the former. 1t was
said that he had trusted not wisely btt
TOO well. and had become warped Mr..
Enlis, his first mate. gave it as his pri-
yate opinion that, although Jimmy
Breeze had been through many tight
places and INDUCED in many a dangerous
fracas on his ships main deck, his coif-
age was not ''cilt-edged.'
Just what he based this conclusion
upon he did not say. A former second
officer, one Garnett-a thoroughly DIS
reputa Bile sailor, who feared neither God,
man nor devil-had tried TO explain this
matter to seine of his watch, who, OF
course, in duty bound, saw that the SAID
attempted explanation was duly carried
aft to the captain. This led to some
pickering and eventually to a vacancy
in the second officers cabin.
Since then the meaning Of Mr.. EnliG'
encomium was left TO work itself cut
among those who were unfortunate
enough to have heard it.
Il don't want no more dead beats with
twisted ideas, a'comin' aboard this here
ship as mates said Capt. Breeze, the
morning after the Northern Light had
finished loading and was about to pull
out Of the River Platte,
Aye, aye. sir" said Mr.. Inlis, who
sat at the end Of the cabin table.
An | don't want no remarks made
forrads concernin' the running Of this
vessel, neither continued the captain.
IF | hear any more concernin' nc or
my affairs ther'1l be some whanging
y4-1-; .J-,~ ~ Oh 49, f~n n Cool
Nj. Enlis?"
No. sir; yau amt no fool, an that's
a fact" said the mate.
Dye think | cant size up a man-or
woman. either, for that matter-becausa
I've trusted in one or two male or fe-
male raskils. hey?"
Il never could say any sech thing,
cap'n," replied the mate penitently.
II didn't ask you what ye could say"
reared Jimmy Breeze. Tn talkin' O.
what ye might say-an' if We do here
he looked straight at Mr.. Enlis and set
his wide jaw tight until his large mouth
drew into a line. Mr.. Enlis looked meek
~ at the salt junk on his plate and said
nothing. There was very little left to
he said. and he was satisfied to leave
that little where ii was.
iii have a second mate aboard be-
'C uOolI tIdt II bt Il tltIlI III lHlS mere
ship" continued the skipper, go youn
be on the watch for him. Hes q gentle
man. that's what he is. an q man |
amt ashamed of at the table-like some
| know-or on the poop. An besides
that he don't talk too much. I got him
up at Jackson's, an he's been captain
o one g them bone vessels before
II Cnce went out in a bone vessel. said
Fnlis by way of turning the subject
an ! call to mind how the scorpions
and centipedes took charge. They was
naore'n 2 million in the bones an every
one was bit. He'll be all right if he
ever sailed in a bone ship. I reckon he'll
do"
You reckon he will do, hey?"
Il do, sir"
We'll, you've got another reckon.
Reckon again. Don't go taking anything
for granted aboard here, see?'
"Ef you mean for me to take him in
hand, say So"
Il mean to have you do yer duty or
whang yer hide loose. That's what"
said Jimmy Breeze. As Mr.. Enlis' duty
was perfectly plain there was nothing
more worth discussing. The meal ended
in silence.
AT four bells in the morning the crew
had all been mustered and the new sec
ond mate had arrived. He was a tall
man, thin, and gaunt. His face was
smooth ahaven and the lack of beard
disclosed a strangely angular jaw with
many lines and creases about the
mouth. His eyes looked out from straight
brCws and had a peculiar shifting mo-
ton, focusing for a moment upon the
skipper and drawing to small glinting
points, to instantly Shift again and re-
sumo their apparent restless search fer
something. His voice had a harsh drawl,
but he evidently had it Well in hand, for
in spite of its grating sound the words
were gentle and the tone cOnciliatory.
NJ forte is the running of q ship the
way she should so" said Jimmy Breeze.
after meeting him at the gangway. If you
know your business you'll soon see the