The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-21

Y
latter listened at first with scorn and
then with impotence.
4, II can't make head or tail out of
what you're reading, George" he said
snappishly. who was Rudolph? Read
straight ahead"
! Thus urged, the mate, leaning for
ward so that his listener might hear
better, read steadily througbNa serial in
/ the first three minutes. The third in
stallment left Rudolph swimming in a
race with three sharks and a boatload
of cannibals, and the joint efforts of
both men failed to discover the other
numbers.
''Just wot l should ave expected of
'im," said the skipper after the mate
returned from a fruitless search in the
boys chest. "I'll make i'm bit more
orderly on this ship. Go an lock them
other things up in your drawer, George.
He's not to ave 'cm again"
The schooner was getting into open
water now and began to feel it. In
front of them was the blue sea, dotted
with white sails and tunnels belching
smoke speeding from England to
worlds of romance and adventure.
Something Of the kind the cook said to
Ralph and urged him to get up and
look for himself. He also, with the
best intentions, discussed the restora-
tive properties of fat pork from medi-
cal point of view.
The next few days the boy divided
between seasickness and work, the lat
ter being the shippers great remedy
for piratical yearnings. Three or four
times he received a mild drubbing and,
what was worse than the drubbing,
had to give an answer in the affirma-
tive to the shippers inquiry as to
whether he felt in more wholesome
frame of mind On the fifth morning
they stood in toward Fairhaven, and to
his great joy he saw trees and houses
again,
They staid at Fairhaven just long
enough to put out small portion Of
their cargo, Ralph, stripped to his shirt
and trousers, having to work in the
hold with the rest, and proceeded to
Lowport, u little place some 80 miles
was evening before they arrived and,
the tide being out, anchored in the
mouth of the river on which the town
stands
"Git in about O'clock" said the
skipper to the mate as he looked over
the side toward the little cluster of
houses on the shore. do you feel bet
for noun Two Cpnokod somo ~ tho non.
sense out O. you, boy?'
much better. SIR" said Ralph re-
spectfully.
BE good boy" said the skipper,
pausing On the companion ladder. land
you can stay with us If you like. Bet
ter turn in now, as youth have to make
yourself useful again in the morning
working out the cargo"
4 He went below, leaving the boy on
deck. The crew were in the forecastle
smoking with the exception Of the
cook. who was in the galley over lit
tie private business of his own.
An hour later the cook went below to
prepare for sleep. The other two men
were already in bed, and he was just
about to get into his when he noticed
that Raiph's bunk, which was under
his own, was empty. He went up on
deck and looked round and returning
below scratched his nose in thought.
4 where's the boy?' ne demanded
taking Jem by the arm and shaking
him.
"Eh" said Jem. rousing. Whose
boy?"
Our boy, Ralph" said the cook. ~
can't see i'm nowhere. 1 'ope e ain't
gone overheard, poor little chap"
Jem refusing to discuss the matter
the cook awoke Dobbs. Dobbs swore al
him peacefully and resumed his slum
bersS The cook went up again anG
p:owled round the deck, looking in al
sorts of unlikely places for the boy
He even climbed little way into the
rigging and, finding no traces of him
was reluctantly forced to the conclu
sion that he had gone overheard.
Poor little chap" he said, solemnly
. looking over the ships side at the still
, water.
. He walked slowly aft, shaking his
head and, looking over the stern
brought up suddenly with a cry Of dis
may and rubbed his eyes. The ship!
boat had also disappeared.
"Wot?" said the two seamen as HI
ran below and communicated the news
We'll, if it's gone. it's gone"
) Hadn't better go and tell the skip
per?" said the cook
, Let i'm find it out hisself," sait
Jem, purring contentedly in the blan
lets. It's lis boat. Co night"
Time we 'ad moo I'm, too," sait
: Dobbs, yawning. Don't you worr,
your ed, cook, about wot don't consarl
you"
t The cook took the advice and havin:
made his few simple preparations TO
7 the night blew out the lamp and spran;
into his bunk. Then he uttered shar]
exclamation and getting out again fun
bled for the matches and relit tn
lamp. pinute later he awoke his eX
: asperated friends for the third time.
2 "S'elp me, cook!" began Jem fiercely