Evening star., 1900-12-15

sively. 'He wanted to mesmerize me, an,
I said all right, ] ses, do it an welcome-if
you can. but / expect my heads a bit too
strong for you.
"And it was. sir, I'll bet" said the man
who had been candid with Bill.
'He tried everything" said the skipper.
"then he give it up but he's coming aboard
tonight so any of you that likes can come
down the cabin and he mesmerized free.
"Why can't he do it on deck?" said the
. mate. rising from the matches and stretch
Ing his gigantic form.
"Cos he must have artificial light,
George" said the skipper. He lets me a
little bit INTO the secret. you know, an
he told me he likes to have the men bit
daZed-like first.
Voices sounded from the wharf and the
night watchman appeared plotting Captain
Zlngall to the schooner. The crew noticed
that he came aboard quite like any other
man. descending the ladder with even more
care than usual. He was small man of
much dignity with light gray eyes. which
had been strained by the exercise OF his
favorite hobby that they appeared to be
ably about freights for some time, and
then at his brother shippers urgent en-
treaty consented to go below and give them
taste of his awful powers.
At first he was not very successful Ihe
men stared at the discs he put into their
hands until their eyes ached, but for Some
time without effect Bill was the first to
yield and to the astonishment of his
friends passed into soft magnetic slum-
Der. from which he emerged to perform the
usual idiotic tricks peculiar to mesmerized
subjects
tits wonderful what power you ave
over EN- said Captain Bradd respect
fully.
Captain Zingall smiled affably "At the
present moment" he said, that man Is my
unthinkin' save. an whatever l wish lin
to do he does. Would any of you like him
to do anything"
"WeIl SIR" said one of the men, "'e
7 4
be very InteIestn experiment If you
could get i'm to pay me. II anything I'D
make me believe in mesmerism that would" !"
"An e owes ne IS pence. SIR said an
other seaman eagerly.
zone al time" said the first speaker
sharply
"An' 'e's owed me five shillin's since I
don't know when" said the cook. with dis
honest truthfulness
Captain IL ngall turned TO his subject.
"You owe that man half a CROWN he said.
pointing: that one Is pence and that one
five shillngs Pay them
In the most matter OF fact way in the
world, Bill groped in his pockets and pro-
ducing some greasy coins pa the sums
mentioned. to the intense delight of every
body.
well. I'm hlest'' said the mate staring.
"I thought mesmerism was all rubbish.
Now bring him to again"
But don't tel! i'm wot 'es been doin,' -
said the cook.
Zingall, with "A lew passes. brought his
subject round. and with a subdued air he
took his place with the others.
'Whatd 1t feel like. Bill?' asked Joe.
Can you remember what you did?"
Bill shook his head.
Don't try 90 said the cook feelingly.
81 should like to put you under the in
fuepce." said ngall. eyeing the mate
You couldn't said that gentleman
promptly.
Let me try said Zingan. persuasively.
do" said the skipper Ito oblige me-
George"
"Weil. don't mind much.'' said the mate,
hesicating. but making me give those
chaps money. you know"
mo. no. said Zingall.
"Wot does e mean?' Give the chaps
money!" said Bill. turning with a startled
air to the cook.
81 dunno" SAID the cook. airily Jus,
watch i'm, BILL he added anxiously
But Bill had something better to do, and
feeling in his pockets, hurredly strove to
balance his cash account. II was impossible
to do anything else while he was doing IT.
and the situation became so strained and
his language so weird that the skipper
was compelled in the interests of law and
morality to order him from the cabin.
Look at me-" sad Zngall to the mate
after quiet had been restored.
The mate complied. and everybody gazed
spelbound at the tusse for supremacy be-
tween brute force and occult science. Slow
ly. very slowly, science triumphed. being
interrupted several times by the bloodcurd
ling threats of Bill, as they foaled dowr
the companion way. Then the mate sud
denly lurched forward and would have