Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1901-08-30
NO. TO-,

The boy came around to the other
side OF the man and near this instru-
ment. How many miles have they
made today2 Did fine yesterday, the
captain said"
A faint look OF interest passed over
the mans face. Most time to take the
record now" he muttered
They both bent over the instrument;
their heads were close together; they
almost touched each other and the rail
The man forgot other things for a mo-
ment.
Then great foghorn OF voice
sounded near. "What are you doing
thereT
second mate, a big, powerful man,
whose usually good natured face wore
a fierce frown Of dIsapproval.
"Get out of that, you. What you
roun' here for anyway Get back there
quick. II you touched II, Tlr'- He
drew nearer to the instrument.
sardonic smile. unseen by the mate,
came to the mans face. As he turned
away his hands rested on the railing
for an instant. How easy to vault III
What n surprise to the mate. whose
words had been comparatively gentlei
What a sensation for the passengers
He balanced himself for the plunge
when the boy spoke. The man had for
gotten the boy. He was leaning against
him now, the curls of his thrown back
head touching tho mans soiled shirt
sleeves. while he expostulated with the
mate
"Now, look a-here. 'Twasn't his
fault asked him to show me. We
never touched It, 'Tisn't hurt bit
now, IL III"
The mate Strengthened up from his
examination. GO round there" he
ordered the man again. and the sailor
skunk away, Then to the boy. you
mustn't touch things like this or shall
tell the captain not to let you 20 over
the ship"
mo, | won't. 'Pon my word won't"
cried the boy Then. turning, he ran
after the man, who had dropped upon
the deck some distance away and was
staring at the sea with a perplexed
face.
Hes nice man." explained the
boy, slipping down beside him and
nodding his head In the direction OF
the mate "only he has got an awful
voice. Yelled Just like that once when
| got on top Of the engine house. He
doesn't mean It."
NO" answered the man, still gazing
at the sen.
The boy looked slyly up at him once
or twice. then drew a piece Of rope
from his pocket. Say" he smiled In
slnuatingly. zone OF the sailors told
me you could tie more knots than any
other fellow aboard. Show me how,
won't you"
The man took the rope and with
mechanical fingers began to teach the
boy how to make the simplest knots.
The mate came by presently and look
ed at them from beneath his bushy
brOws. but passed on without speak
ing.
"My." the boy exclaimed once IN
honest admiration, don't you know
lot! | bet you could beat the captain.
Whcrod you learn 'em alp
"Oh, knOwed some Of 'em when |
was a Kid" answered the man. and he
went on tying more.
II was an absorbing lesson, made 80
by the boys cagerness and the mans
increasing Interest. Suddenly shrill
whistle sounded through the mir The
boy looked up. His father beckoned
to him from the deck above. and the
boy rose to his feet.
"Pve got to CO." he sald but I'll be
practicing some Of 'em. and you can
show me the rest next time"
lie started TO run nlong the deck,
stufing the rope In his pocket. But he
had only gone II few steps when he
suddenly turned and came trottlng
back. He stopped near the man n lit
tie uncertainty. pulling vigorously at
the frnycd end Of the rope.
Say. say. you didn't mind what the
mate said, did your lie didn't mean to
be cross. They just have to holler that
way"
The mIn did not speak. Again the
whistle sounded. The boy turned, but
persisted over his shoulder:
"You didn't mind, did youW
Then the man laughed, n strange.
sudden lnugh. mo, didn't mind"
And the boy sped away.
Then the change Of stokcrs came, and
the man was called below. He went I'M
grudglngly and promptly. AS he passed
benentb the upper deck the boy. who
was standing there, leaned over and
waved. and the man llftcd his hand to
his hntlcss head In salute. The memo
ry Of the orchard and stone step, OF the
apples and dOughnuts was still with
him, but II was no longer the bitterness
OF death rather the sweet SAVIOR OF life
Springfield Republican,