The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-16

sir, answered the boatswain Jim
Jump below and see If he's in the
fok'sle."
The sailors exchanged looks which SEEM
ed to suggest that they thought 1t kind
and wise In the boatswain to humor the
captain, whose mind to them appeared
little shaken and made uncertain by the
shock of his loss
mo, I'll trust no mans eyes but mine,"
exclaimed the captain with q lofty ex-
preston of face, and going to the scuttle,
Which is the little hatch through which
the seamen drop into their parlor, he
put his legs over and descended.
One man only was in this forecastle. He
was the young seaman who had played
the whistle whilst Johnny beat the drum.
He started up at the sight of the captain,
amazed by visit that was unparalleled in
his experience or recollection of forecas-
tie story His face showed marks of un-
affected distress, and indeed this rude but
sympathetic heart had been seated for
some minutes prior to the captains en-
trance with bowed head resting in his
wart-toughened palms, thinking of the
child and his sudden death.
1t was strange, gloomy interior. The
swing of the lamp kept the shadows on
the wing and oilskins and coats swayed
upon the ships wall to the solemn plunge
of the bows. and you heard the roar Of
the smitten and recoiling surge in low
thunder, like the sound of a railway
train striking through the soil into
vault. Some hunks went curving into
the gloom past the light which fell
through the hatch, and a few hammocks
stretched their pale, balelike lengths I'M
der the upper deck. Here, too, were sea-
chests-a few only-and odds and ends of
sea boots, and the rattle of the sailors
ocean home.
Where's my son? Is he Gown here?"
exclaimed the captain, haggard and with
something dreadful in his looks in that
light, uttering the words as peremptorily
as ever he delivered an order on the
quarterback.
The young fellow gazed aghast at him
in silence.
The captain, who did not seem to heed
whether he was answered or not, went
to the hunks and examined them one by
one, knelt and looked under them, felt
the sagged canvas of the hammocks. Oh,
1t was pitiful!
He's not here" he exclaimed turning
to the young sailor. Have you got your
whistle handy? Pull it out and pipe The
music will bring him with his drum"
The young man went to his bunk and
took the whistle from the head of it.
His face was full of awe and wonder; it
was bit Of Psychology, trick or two
above all his art of seamanship.
What shall I play sir?" he asked, in
a shaking voice, with a glance up
through the scuttle as the men gathered
near and listened.
Whats his favorite tune?'' said the
captain.
The young fellow reflected and answer
ed: " Sally, come up, sir. 1t runs well
with the drum
play it," said the captain.
The young fellow put the whistle to
his lips and blew. The contrast be-
tween the merry air, shrilling in the
forecastle and out through the hatch
into the bright wind, and the captains
half-triumphant face of expectancy
would have melted a heart of steel The
poor man stepped under the little hatch
and shouted up. ION deck therei'
Sir" answered the boatswain show
ing himself.
Can this whistle be heard aft?'
Eyes, SIR
Watch bit and report if he's COM
ing"
The young seaman, who was nearly
heartbroken with his obligation of play
ing, continued to pipe, and you beheld a
vision of dancing sailors, and swelling
canvas reverberating the rattle of the
drum.
The captain waited under the hatch,
his poor face charged with ardent ex-
pectation. He might have overheard a
gruff voice say, ut oughtn't to be al
lowed to go on. He'd get all right if
he'd go to his cabin, where it 'ud come
to him" He paid no heed.
Suddenly the whistling ceased and
the young fellow, flinging his whistle
into his bunk, cried, Its choking me,
SIR
The captain looked at him, and say
ing, Where is johnny" climbed through
I,okO Il, ~
sailors, walked slowly aft
The whole ship seemed to tremble
throughout her frame with every lift
and fall, as though like something alive
she was now startled by this strange
delay, and the fore-topmast studding
sail curved with the weight of the
wind from it's boom and no doubt, in the
language of sail5cloth, cursed the main
topsail for stopping it's eager drag.
Hardy stood beside the second mate,
to leeward, on the quarterback, and
watched the captain coming aft. The
great dog in a leap gained his masters
side aid marched with him., looking
with beautiful sagacity up into the poor
mans face. The captain walked with
his eyes fixed upon the sky, just over
the sea line astern, but if speculation
Were in his gaze, it was not inter-
pretable; he saw, or seemed to see,
something beyond the blue haze or dis
lance, and thus he watched it, without
speaking to the two mates or turning his
eyes upon them, until he came to the
companion hatch, down whose steps he
went, followed by the dog.
Noon was near and an observation
must be taken. Hardy, whose clothes
were plastered by water upon him, said
to Candy:
I'VE must get an observation and
swing the yards. This blow has thrown
his mind off his balance, and he might
not thank US later if we should go on
as though he were responsible"
II agree with you, SIR said Candy.
Hardy called to the boatswain, who
came quickly.
You know the law of the sea, as
well as 1 do said the mate, land 1
don't want you and the men to be-
lieve that 1 have taken charge of the
ship even for five minutes because I
mean to get way upon her."
"She wants it, said the boatswain,
looking forward along the ship as though
she were horse.
AZ must get an observation" contin-
ued Hardy, land you and the men will
Judge that the captain would wish me
to do what he himself would do if his
terrible loss had left him capable of do
ing anything.
at don't need reasoning about, sir"
said the hoatswain.
Hands lay aft and swing the main
top-sail-yard!'' shouted Hardy. Lee
mainbrace Mr.. Candy, will you step
below for your sextant? Kindly bring
mine"
Candy went below. The men came