El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-18

| father told him we was pirate. De
wouldn't have come if / hadn't.
I'll pirate him." said the mate, rub
bling his hands.
| Hes n dreadful 'andful by all &C
counts" continued the other. Got his
ed stuffed full O these ere penny
dreadfuls till they've turned his brain
| almost. He started by being an Indian
| and goin off on lis own with two other
kids. When e wanted to turn canni-
bal, the other two objected and gave
i'm in charge. After that he did a bit o
burgling, and it cost lis old man no end
o. money to hush it up"
well, what did you want him forY
| grumbled the mate.
| I'm goin to knock the nonsense out
| of him." said the skipper softly as the
boat grazed the side. Just step fora
and let the hands know what's expect
| ed of 'em. When we get to sea, 1t
! won't matter"
The mate moved of grumbling as the
small fare stood on the thwarts and
scrambled up over the side. The wa
termaD passed up the chest and. drop
| ping the coppers into his pocket, push
ed off again without q word.
well. you've got here all right.
Ralph" said the skipper. What do
| you think of herr"
''She's a rakish looking craft" said
the boy, looking round the dingy old
tub with much satisfaction, but
where's your armsY'
"Hnshr' said the skipper and laid his
finger on his nose.
''Oh. all right" said the youth testify,
'-but you might tell me-"
/ "You shall know all in good time"
said the skipper patiently. turning to
| the crew. who came shutting up, mask
ing broad grins with dirty palms.
Here's a new shipmate for you, my
lads. He's small. but he's the right
stuff"
| The newcomer drew himself up and
regarded the crew with some dissatis-
faction. For desperadoes they looked
far too good tempered and prone to
levity.
whats the matter With you, Jem
Smithers?" inquired the skipper, scowl
ing at huge fair haired man who was
laughing discordantly.
| Il was thinkin o. the last party | kill
ed, sir" said Jem with sudden gravity.
81 alters laugh when i think 'ow he
squealed."
"You laugh too much" said the other
sternly as he laid a hand on Ralph's
shoulder. Take Il lesson from this fine
Teller. He doesn't laugh. He acts.
! Take i'm down below an show him 'is
! bunk"
''Will you please to follow me, sirf'
said Smithers, leading the way below.
IL dessay you'll find it a bit stuffy, but
that's owing to Bill Dobbs. A reg'ler
old sea dog is Bill. always sleeps in is
clothes and never Washes
Il don't think the worse of him for
that" said Ralph. regarding the fer
menting Dobbs kindly.
You'd best keep civil tongue in
your ed. my lad" said Dobbs shortly.
Never mind 'im," said Smithere
cheerfully. Nobody takes any notice
O old DOhbs. You can it i'm If you
like. ] won't let him hurt you
Il don't want TO start by quarreling.'
said Ralph seriously.
You're afraid" said Jem tauntingly
"foull never make one of us. 1T i'm
won't let i'm 'urt you
+; Thus aroused, the boy, first directing
DobhS' attention TO his stomach by q
curious duck of his head, much admir-
ed as a feint in his neiShbOrhOOd
4 struck him in the face The next mo-
ment the forecastle was in an uproar
and Ralph PROSTATE on Dobbs' knees
frantically reminding Jem of bis prom
Use.
'.All right, I won't let i'm 'urt you
said lem consolingly.
But he is hurting me-" yelled the
boy. He is hurting me now"
We'll. wait till get i'm ashore" said
Jem. His old woman won't know him
when I've done With him."
The boys reply to this was a torrent
Of shrill abuse. principally directed to
Jem's facial shortcomings
Now. don't get rude" said the sea,
man, grinning.
"Squint eyes!Y cried Ralph fercely.
when you've done with that ERE
young gentleman, Dobbs," said Jem
with exquisite politeness. II should
like to ave i'm for a little bit to teach
i'm manners"
"'E don't want to CO." said Dobbs
grinning, as Ralph chung to him. He
knows who's kind to him.
"Wait till l get a chance at you"
sobbed Ralph as Jem took him away
from Dobbs.
Lord lumme," said Jem, regarding
him in establishment. why. he's ac-
locally cryin. Eve seen a good many
pirates in my time, Bill, but this is q
new sort"
Leave the boy alone" said the cook.
a fat, good natured man. Here. come
ere. old man. They don't mean no
| arm"
Glad to escape, Ralph made his way