Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-13


with sea in the bay that kept the Suffolk
rolling like a porpo.se. A heavier lurch than
ordinary sent her main channels grinding
down on the mackerel boats gunwale,
smashing her upper Strakes and springtng
her mizzenment as she recovered herself.
BE dashed" said one of the officers, IL
1 trust myself In a boat that'u go down un-
der us between this and lanir'
The rest seemed to be ID his mind, too
But Billy, being quick as we'll as eager.
saw in a moment that the damaged strakeS
would be to wfndward on the reach into
Mousehole, and out of harms way, and
also that her mainsan alone would do the
job easy. So just as she fell off and her
crew ran aft to get the mtz:;en lug slowed
he took run past the Office and jumped
aboard, with two fellows clos, on his heels
one Penzance fellow whose name I've for
got, and the t'other a chap from Ludgvan
Harry Cornish by name. / reckon the sight
of the old shores just made them maZed as
sheep, and like sheep they followed his lead.
The officers ran to stop any more from
copying such foolishness, and IL they hadn't
l believe the boat would have swamped
there and then. AS twas she rehoisted her
big lug and away-to-go for Mousehole, the
three passengers sitting down to leeward
with their sterns in the water to help keep
her damaged side above mischief.
So on MOusehole quay these three stepped
ashore, and the first man to shake hands
with them was Capn Josiah Penny of the
Perseverance, trading keteh, then lying snug
In MousehOle harbor. Being a hearty man,
he invited them down to- his cabin to take
drop Of rum. The Penzance fellow, having
only short way to trudge, said mo,
thank'ee, and started for home with a small
crowd after him. But Bosistow and Cornish
agreed 'twould be more neighborly to ac-
cept. and to tell the truth, they didn't quite
know how to behave with so many eyes
upon them. Cornish had on a soldiers red
jacket, with white facings and a pair of
blue trousers out at the knees, while BOsis-
tow's trousers were Of white cloth, and he
carried japanned knapsack at the back OF
his red shirt and. with a white-painted
straw hat apiece. you may guess they felt
themselves looking like two figures Of fun
So down they went to the Perseverance,
cabin, and Cap'n Penny mixed them a stiff
glass OF rum apiece, and called them fine
fellows. and mixed them two more glasses
While they talked, and when the time came
to say so long Billy was quite sure he
didn't care for appearances one snap Of his
fingers.
They linked arms on the quay where they
found crowd waiting for them and many
with questions to ask about absent friends,
so that from Meusehole to Penzance it was
regular procession. And then they had
to go to the hotel and tell the whole story
over again. And all this meant more rum
of course.
1t was In the evening, and day closing
In. before they took the road again. Billy
had fallen into boastful mood, and felt
his heart SO warm toward Cornish that
nothing would do but they must tramp 1t
together as far as Nancledrea, which was q
goodish bit out Of Cornishs road to Ludgvan
BY the time they reached Nancledrea Billy
was shedding tears and begging Cornish to
come along to Ardevora- I'll make a man
OF ZEE there" he promised; Il will sure
'nough" But Cornish weighed the offer.
and decided that his mother at Ludgvan
would be going to bed before long So,
coming to house with red blinds and
lights within. they determined to have a
drink before parting.
In the tap room they found dozen fell
90 ri mi ncr ha{p
solemn, and an outstanding woman in a
black gown attending on them. "Hullow
says one Of the men,, looking up. Whats
this? Geezy-dancers?
''I'll soon tell zee about Geezy-dancers
says Billy. Here, missus,. pot of ale all
round. and let 'em drink to two Cornish
boys come home from festerin in French
war prisons. while they've a-been diggln'
taties.
There was no resisting a sociable offer
like this, and in two twos. as you might
say, Billy was boasting ahead for all he
was worth. and the company with their
mouths open-all but the landlady, who was
opening her eyes instead. and wider and
wider.
There ism none present that remembers
me. daresay. My names Bosistow-Billy
BoslstoW-from Ardevora parish. And back
there 1 m going this very might and why?
You ask. 1 bent one of your taty-diggin'
slowneads-1 bent. I've broke out of prison
three times. and now--' He broke off and
this time he couldn't very well pick out of
heap-"do any Of ZEE know a maid there
called Selma Johns? Because if so, 1 warn
ZEE of her. Why? says YOU Because
that's the maid I'm goin' to marry, and I'm
off to Ardevora to do 1t straight. Another
pot Of beer, please, missus."
You've had plenty. Dir. ssemin' to mo-"
answered up the landlady.
And Is this the way"-Billy stoop I'D
very dignified-'s this the way to welcome
home man who bled for the country? Is
this your gratitude to man who's spent
ten O. the best years OF his life In slavery
while you've been diggin' taties?" 1 can't
tell you why potatoes ran much In the
poor fellows head but they did and he
seemed to see the hoeing Of them almost in
the light Of personal Injury. He spat on
the floor. And for you. madam, these
here boots Of mine have tramped thousands
Of miles, and 1 shake off their dust upon
YOU, he says.
II wish you'd confine yourself to that,
with your dirty habts!" the landlady an
swered up again. but Billy marched out
with great dignity. which was only spoiled
doorway for raised step. He didn't for
get to slam the door after him; but he did
forget to take leave Of Harry Cornish. who
had walked SO far out Of his way in pure
friendlness.
For the first mile or so, what with his
anger and the fresh air. Billy had a TODD
to keep his pins and fix his mind on the
road. But. by and by, his brain cleared
devora, and saw the lights Of the town be-
low him, his mood changed, and he sat
down on the turf of the slope with tears
In his eyes,
There you be-" said he. talking to the
lights. land here be /; and somewheres
down among you Is the dear maid I've
come to marry. Not much welcome for me
In Ardevora, b'law. though do love every
stone OF her streets. But there's one there
that didn't forget me in my captivity and
won't despise me In these here rags. I wish
Ia seen Abe's face when jumped aboard
the boat. Poor old Abe!-but alPs fair in
love and war. l reckon. He can't be here
till tomorrow at earliest, 80 let's have a
pipe o baccy on it,"
still considering the light in the valley
Somehow they put him In mind Of Abe
and how in the old days he and Abe used
to come on them shining just SO on their
way home on Saturday nights from Bessie's
cove. Poor old mate!-first Of all he pic
tured Abe's chapfallen face, and chuckled:
then be began to wonder II Abe would cali
1t fair play. But all was fair in love and
war; he kept saying this over to himself,
and then lit another pipe to think it out.
Wen, he couldn't; and SO, after third
pipe, he pulled en- old French cloak out of
his knapsack and wrapped himself In it
and huddled himself to sleep there on the
slope Of the hillside.
When he woke up the sun was shining
and the smoke coming I'm towar d him froy,,