Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1900-03-10
DICK RODNEY:
Or. The Adventures of
An Elton Boy.
{ ny JAMES GRANT.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
by JAMES GRANT.

In the same fashion, ard all wore false
noses of singular size and great bril-
nance, with low wigs and long tails.
On Neptune and his goddess receiv-
ing dram and questioning the cap
tain about his crew, IL was discovered
that Antonio and | were the only two
on board who had never crossed the
line before; whereupon the Tritons
whooped and danced as they laid yio-
lent hands on me. ! submitted to the
usual shaving and so forth with a
good grace, and compound j, to avoid
other annoyanees. for two bottles of
brandy, and ascending to the main
cross-trees without going through the
iubber's hole. But for the Cubano
there was neither ransom. escape nor
outlet; and the poor wretch, in conse-
ouenee of his mysterious antecedents,
was very roughly handled, the more so
that he had threatened TO use his knife
II molested.
IL was soon trundled out OF his hand
by one body Of Tritons, while another
soused him well with salt water as he
was conveyed past the long boat,
which was dashed amidships. and In
which they were stationed with buck
cts ready filed.
Held fast on every side, be was
brought before the goddess born" and
memorable monarch Of the main. who
ordered the Lord Chief Barber at
Z puca tn shave hin,
! Now. as Antonio had a rather lux
/ uriant beard and mustache, the plentI-
full application thereto of compound
of tar and slush. such as we used for
/ greasing the masts, was the reverse of
| agreeable; but the stern orders of Nep-
tune. which were beloved hoarseIy
through tin trumpet. were faithfully
( and deliberately obeyed. and the con-
/ tents Of dirty iron pot were smeared
over the cheeks. beard and mouth OF
the Cubano by Billy, a mischieyous
ship-boy. with an unsparing hand.
"Demoniol Maldita,' was heard at
intervals. and greeted with laughter:
but when he attempted to storm or
swear the brush-a reeking tuft of
oil. tar and every horrid grease-was
thrust into his mouth.
The Lord Chief Barber was now
commanded to remove this noisome
mess with his razor. and he scraped II
of with piece of hoop. which had
been carefully notched for the purpose
"a process which. as it uprooted SUM-
dry thick portions OF Antonio's coal
black bristles. caused him to yell and
sputter out hoarse Spanish oaths al
ternately.
He was again deluged with sal,
water; and greater seventies were
about to be practiced upon him. as
some Of the Tritons cried for ''tht
ghost OF Roberts to come out of the
sea-" Others, to smoke him, by put.
ting his head in the hood of the cooks
funnel" when Weston ransomed him
for two bottles Of brandy, and he wa:
permitted to stink away to his bunk
breathing vengeance against all hi!
tormentors.
Grog was again served round. tn.
deck was cleared for dance, and tn,
| a sue
cession OF hornpipes, while the grin
Cubano lay growing in the forecastle
Three cheers for the Captain, ant
three more for Marc Hislop, terminated
the fun. and all but the watch retired
below.
"They have gone too far with tina
fellow, as some Of us may discover be
fore the voyage comes to a close" sait
Hislop, when We were having partin,
glass In the cabin.
YES" replied Weston; "he is
dark dog. and though i am not yer,
rich. l would give a hundred pounds
to fathom the mystery of old Robert
disappearance. Well, here's to GU
wives and sweethearts at home"
Il have neither sweetheart nor wife,
said Hislop. as he tossed off his glass
'but | have poor cid mother wht
loves me as we'll as either could do.
Weston's eye wandered to the por
traits of his wife and child, to whom
he was tenderly attached, and TO
whom all hin savings, by salary, ton
mage, and hat-money. were CAREFUL,
boarded; for whom, poor fellow. b.
tempted the dangers of the great deep
the war OF .he elements, and endure'
the hardships OF a sailors life-hi
wife, his little one. and their home
'his all, bis sheet-anchor In thi
world, and his guide to the next" a
once heard him say, forcibly an
strangely.