Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-17

place. with the scuttling of innumerable
rats all about me. 1t was infinitely worse
than the provost's lime kiln, and had it not
been for the thought of Anna on board
think l should have sat down and cried.
AS 1t was / CROPPED about In every direc-
ton till found that l was in a little wooden
cell of some ten feet square, filled mostly
with stores and barrels, which were caked
all over the side with salt But in the cor
ner as Saul Mark had said, found mat
tress made of some sort of foreign fiber,
curled fine as hair, and kept in place by
little Stats of bamboo on the under side. l
came also upon a couple of blankets, which
l drew over me when l had lain down with
no small thankfulness; for the night was
cold, and the place, as 1t seemed to me
then incredibly damp and musty-though
nothing past the ordinary of merchant
ships.
Il will not e: to Sleep said to myself;
how do know that they have not brought
me here to murder me?"
Yet 1 must have slept, and that soundly,
for it was far into the next day before 1
walked. In my dreams l thought myself
back again on the swing under the trees at
the gable end of the old Min house. Anna
Mark was swinging me. standing behind
and first pulling me higher in one direction.
then pushing me forcefully in reverse. At
first the movement was pleasant, but after
ward 1 wished her to stop. Yet for the life
of me l could not cry out, till finally I
woke in an agony Of fear and cold perspira-
ton
Instead Oh the PHEASANT trees ana the
rustling leaves, the deep cool ravine and
the soft hushing roar of the weir, I saw
only the blackness of darkness. / smelt
the dank smells of the ships belly.
heard only the water slogging against the
ships side. Yet my sensations were real
enough. I staggered to my feet. letting
the clothes fall away from me, and 10!
the first think 1 knew was that a bulk
head swung round and struck me on the
brow. The next moment 1 sat down un-
pleasantly on the sharp iron-bound corner
of a box. I was ratified like pea in a
bladder at the end of boys stick. so that
I was glad to succumb again on my blan-
kets. hoping for some surcease Of the
strange disturbing motions.
1t was not the strength SO much as the
irregularity of these sinkings and upheav-
ais which troubled me. A long upward
heave would be followed by quick DROP
Then came a resounding clack as the ship
struck what to me seemed a solid rock.
Again there was rebound and another
heave at right angles to the first Now
appeared to be tossed in blanket against
the ceiling. Anon having left all my vital
parts sticking there above me, l was hurl-
ed. mere empty. shell, void Of all but
misery, into the abyss.
But 1 need not enlarge. These sensa-
tons are common to all who go down to
the sea In ships. Or at least, they are
the happily immune.
1t was high day outside when the door
opened. and L saw my father stand before
me in his blue coat with the gold braid,
sailor behind him in a blue shirt and
white trousers, holding lantern in his
hand.
1 rose to my feet also, for did not wish
to shame my courage.
"Ah. Philip he said. 80 you have join
ed the Corramantee as q pressed man. You
are brave boy. Come up to breakfastr
At the very name Of food could scarce
contain myself, SO strong a loathing had
come over me. I think Capt. Stansfield
must have noted my pale countenance
soueamdsh. That happens on a first cruise
to the best seamen. Dick, bring him a
glass Of brandy from my cabinI Which,
when had drunk. thanked him for, and
felt somewhat better.
But judge what was my establishment
on going Into the cabin to find my dear
mother sitting there with her hands on
ner lap. her lips white, and such q look
OF rear In her eyes as ! had never seen
| In them since the night at the Yeti Gotta ne
| Of New MilnA
She did not rise. but only held out her
poor hands with a little pitiful appeal,
| ran to her, and she clasped her arms about
my neck. Then, though She had not cried
| at all before, she now laid her head on my
| shoulder and wept aloud. So stood there
| all a-tremble In my knee Joints. For. WhaI
with the uncertainty Of the ship. the brandy
| wambling in my inside, and my mothers
head heavy on my shoulder, thought
| should fall down where l stood. Neverthe.
| less. I did not. but stood 1t out, till my
| poor mother stflled her sobbing and dried