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

ASOO'S eteSoCS
had surprised himself by his powers Of
narration. Fancy lartin when told
i'm of pitchin the baby to the sharks"
"E's all right, Bill" said the cook
softly. wait till you've got seven of
'em.'
What are you doing here, boy?" de-
manded the skipper as Ralph. finding
the seaman's yarns somewhat lacking
in interest, strolled aft with his hands
in his pockets.
Nothing" said the boy, staring.
Keep the other end O. the ship" said
the skipper sharply, ian 60 an 'elp the
cook with the taters."
Ralph hesitated, but a grin on the
mates face decided him.
II didn't come here to peel potatoes"
he said lottily.
"Oh, indeed" said the skipper polite
~. IAN wot might you ave come for.
II it amt being too inquisitiveY'
ITO fight the enemy" said Ralph
shortly.
"Come ERE" said the skipper.
The boy came slowly toward him.
"Now, look ERE" said the skipper.
"Tm going to try and knock little
sense into that stupid ed O. yours. I've
'eard all about your silly little games
ashore. Your father said he couldn't
, manage you. SO I'm a-goin to have a
try, an you'll find Pm very different
sort O. man to deal with to wot e is.
The idea O. thinking this ship was pi-
rate. Why, a boy your age ought to
, know there amt such things nova
days."
You told me you was" said the boy
holly, "else l wouldn't have Gomez
/ That's just why told you," said
| the skipper. But | didn't think you'd
be such a fool as to believe it. Pirates
indeed! Do we look like pirates?'
| you don't" said the boy. with a
sneer. You look more like
/ Like wot?" asked the skipper, edg.
/ ing closer to him. Eth, like wot?''
81 forget the word" said Ralph, with
| strong good sense.
4 Don't tell any lies now" said the
skipper. flushing as he heard chuckle
from the mate. Go on. Out with it
I'll give you just two minutes"
81 forget it." persisted Ralph.
'Dustman" suggested the mate
coming to his assistance. "Coster
( chimbley sweep, mudlark, pickpocket
convict, washerwom"-
eff you'll look after your duty
/ George, instead o. interferin in matters
that don't concern you," said the skip
per in a choking voice, 81 shall be
| obliged. Now, then, you boy, what
were you going to say-I was lilke?
Like the mate" said Ralph slowly.
Don't tell lies" said the skipper flu
riously. You couldn't have forgo
that word"
81 didn't forget it," said Ralph, "bu'
| didn't know how you'd like it,"
! The skipper looked at him obviously
and, pushing his cap from his brow
scratched his head.
/ "And didn't know how the mate 'ut
like it either" continued the boy.
He relieved the skipper from an awk
ward dilemma by walking off to the
galley and starting on a bowl of pota
toes.
The master of the Susan Jane watch
ed him blankly for some time and theI
looked around at the mate
"You won't get much change out o.
'im," said the latter. with nod. Sin
sultin little DEVIL
The other made no reply, but as soo1
as his potatoes We're finished set hi.
young friend to clean the brassworl
and after that to tidy the cabin up an,
help the cook clean his pots and pans
Meantime the mate went below ant
oyerhauled his chest.
This is where he gets all them ideas
from" he said. coming aft with hi,
bundle of penny papers. look at tn,
titles of 'em, The Lion of the Pacific,
The One Armed Buccaneer,' Captain
Kids Last Voyage
He sat down on the cabin skyligh
and began turning them over and pick
ing out certain gems of phraseolog.