The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-01-10

bilge checks clear, and then she
squelched down again, dragging the
lifeboat close in a murderous cuddle,
which smashed in one of her sides as
though 1t had been made from egg
shell. Other lines were thrown by the
hands who stood against the rail
above, and the four men In the swamp
ing boat each seized an end. Half
climbing, half hoisted from above, they
made their way up the rusted plating,
and the greedy waves from underneath
sucked and clamored at their heels. 1t
was quite toss up even then whether
they would be dragged from their hold,
but human muscles can put forth des-
perate efforts in these moments Of des-
perate stress, and they reached the
swaying deck planks, bruised and
breathless and gasping, but for the
time being safe.
The cattleboat's mate, who had been
assisting their arrival, sorted them into
castles with ready perception. Now
you two dagoes," he said to the Portu-
guese, get away forrard port side
and bid some of our firemen to give you
bunk. I'll tell the steward to bring
you along bit Of rum directly" He
slapped friendly hand on McTodd'e
shoulder. "Bos'n," he said, take this
| gentleman down to the messroom and
pass the word to one Of the engineers
to come and give him q welcome
And then he turned as to an equal anl
shook Kettle by the hand Very glat
to welcome you aboard, old fellow
beg pardon, captain should have
said; didn't see the lace on your sleev,
before. Come below with me, captain
and I'll FIX you up with some DIR.
things outside and some wet things In
before we have any further chatter"
"Mr. Mate" said Kettle, you're yer.
polite, but hadn't better 60 up on t.
the bridge and say 'howdy' to the skip
per first?"
The mate of the cattleboat CRIME
and tucked his arm inside Capital
Kettles and dragged him of wit
kindly force toward the companion
way. ''Take a cinch from me, caI
tain, and don't. The old mans in sue
a mortal fear for the ship that he
fair crying with it. If he'd had b
way, don't fancy he'd have see
your boat at all. He said it was su
eide to try to pick you up with sue
sea running. But the second ma
; and put in some ugly talk, and so
, Just had to do it. Here's the cor
panion. Step inside, and I'll shut Il
o door,
T Pretty sort Of captain to let b
mates boss him."
"Quite agree with you, captain, qui
), agree with you all the way. But that
what's done on this ship, and there
no getting over it It's not tony II
ing either. I'm an old Conway b
9 and was brought up to respect dis
: pline. However, dare say you'll s
:, for yourself how things run before
- dump you back on dry mud aga
:, Now, here we are at the room, a
there's a change of clothes in til
drawer beneath the bed and und
!. wear below the settee here. You a
{. are much Of a build, and the XII
g quite at your service till your own
"a dry again."
~ The mate was back again in
- minutes, dripping, cheerful, hospital
.e holy tailorsv' said he. How you
- set of clothes! Those old buds ca
~ out of slop chest once, and I've b.
- ashamed Of their. shabbiness m
y years than 1 care to think about
you've a way of carrying them t
ov makes them look well fitting and qr
new. Well, I tell you I'm plea
~ to see a spruce man on this ship. Co
~ into the cabin now and peck