Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-31

little with this crew-the spirit Of the Lord
was not with them. They We're irreverent,
profane and revengeful. in spite of his
prayers and eXhortations. And this led TO
the object of the interview.
'Revergeful?" repeated the mate. What
about? Are they after me?'
Well, no sir; not that. But they say
spiteful things
About ne? What do they say? Tell me-
boy. I've been your friend. l saw at the
start that you were different from that
crowd"
It's not all Of them, sir" said the fatu-
Gus youth. but Martin says that you
practically murdered your wife and child
years ago. Oh, don't believe it, sir.
don't really" The mates face was fright
ful in the moonlight.
''What-how-how did he put it?' he said
in a choking voice.
L don't believe 1t, Mr.. Arbuck1e. He
said that you beat her cruelty when at
home, and when you left on voyage she
took the child TO New York and tried to
make living, but they both starved TO
deafh.'
Go forrard,,,' said the mate calmly, land
send that old liar aft
George disappeared. and Martin came
III teach you, you old crow bait he
said, Ito set the men against me. Killed
my wife and child. did /? Didn't / tell you
that the less you knew about Tompkins-
vile the better for you?''
Mr.. Arbuckle." answered the old man,
bravely. what I've said in the 70 castle III
say to your face; and I've a right to say
what the whole town knows. | knew you
as a boy. and l knew your wife as a pretty
little girl. and if the account is true, you
are responsible. l never saw the baby,
but my folks did. and read the letter she
sent just before they both died of starva
ton
The old man fell under the fist blow
which followed and when the Infatuated
officer had finished stamping upon him. he,
too. was carried to his bunk. And Captain
Haskins became alarmed; his secret ideals
had been realized
You stop this right here Mr. Arbuckle,"
he said. II forbid you killing and MAIN
ing my crew. If you strike another OF my
men III put you fore the mast. 1 will, by
the Eternal.
Which was as near as Captain HaSkins
ever came to profanity.
But the mate was not himself; he an
swered warmly-in fact, threatened to
break Captain Haskins' head if he violated
his agreement TO not interfere between
him and the men. and for a few days was
practically master of the vessel-a terror
to all. Then an incident brought him
around.
The salvationist, useless on deck, and
spared by the mate only because of his
value a spy, was a splendid entertainer
in the watch below, possessing a clear,
bell-like tenor voice. Usually he sang the
sacred words and juggling tunes of the
Salvation Army, but on this evening he
treated them to a pathetic song of the war
days. 1t began softly. at first, nothing dis
until the words of the refrain could be
heard from the poop.
No more the bugle calls the weary one
Rest noble spirit. In thy grave unknown
l II hnd you and know you among the good and
When robe of white is given for the faded coat
Of blue.
Mr.. Arbuckle was heard to utter a sound
between a gasp and groan; then he ran
forward. entered the forecastle pulled the
singer from his bunk and expressed HIM
self nam
shut up-shut up you sniveline. CATER
wauling insect. Don't let me hear any more
of this" Then he shook the unlucky George
until his breathing was difficult
Don't you want us to sing in the last
dog watch below, sir?" asked Tom stand
| ing up.
NO yelled the mate. Then. reminded
by their faces that the edict was revolu-
tionary. he added: Not such songs as this
They're played out years ago Sing some
the covering George. Sing something
| lively, ii you want to sing: and don't sing
| so id loud" '''e
Yes, sfr-all right, sir-aye ave. sir"
answered George. and the mate went aft.
He walked the deck until midnight, and
for an hour Into his watch below; then an
preached the captain.
Mustn't think, SIR he said. haltinp
that m trying to kill the men. I'm moi !:
but they aggravate me. There's no able
seaman aboard"
That Is matter of opinion, Mr.. Ar
buckle, answered the captain, coldIv
Even so, able seamen are not really nee
essary In little craft like this. Human