Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-23

dent in blue and gold-welcomedt their guests
with profuse hospitality. The Wneeimeh,
though clad in their best made sorry
contrast; and not until they were seated at
the improvised table, running gun"aies
under with good things, did they regain
their equanimity.
fruit which had lain buried in the sano
with hot stones until the bursting Jachels
revealed the succulent wealth within. fyr
amds of luscious tropical fruits glo"eo
richly through a garnishment OF green
leaves and sweet flowers. while the necks
of bottles, both stout and SLIM, peered
cheerfully from brine tubs, where they had
been placed to cool. The trade wind whis-
pered merry tale to the overhanglng 10
liage. and there was peace on earth and
good will toward men,
The whalers were seated on the landWard
side while the brig's boats crew lay about
on the sand, conveniently near their Off
GERS. AT a signal from Captain Armstrong
four sturdy bluejackets emerged from the
bush bearing the piece de resistance the
baked kangaroo tail. The savory odor
which preceded its appearance had honed
the waiting appetites to the keen edge OF
perfection.
Captain Armstrong served his guests at
once and they fell to with a hearty good
will. The Englishmen were perfect hosts,
the food was toothsome, and the wines
were generous. As his waistband tightened
Captain Zeke's conscience pricked him He
feared he had slandered an honorable gen
tleman AS the last sigh of repletion fiut-
leItu StdWdTu on the lEtSHSIliIS pittEc'
Captain Armstrong asked them to fill their
glasses and drink a toast standing.
Mr.. Rawlins." said he, when they We're
on their feet, Il trust you have enjoyed
yourself al my table"
Il have, captain, and l want to say right
here
''One moment, please Interrupted Arm
strong. raising dainty white hand. Il
thank you gentlemen for your company at
my birthday dinner. And yet, it is more
important event to you than to me. 1t Is
more emphatically a birthday to you than
it is TO me, for today you will emerge from
the greasy chrysalis stage in which you
have heretofore existed to become cleanly
and respectable seamen in the service of
King George, God bless him.
The Englishmen uncovered and drained
their glasses. Amos was saved the treason
able act by an elbow jog and a savage
glance from his captain. The others stood
firm. Disregarding their boorishness, Cap
tain Armstrong continued:
You are probably unaware that the king
has decided to reclaim his own. Cockburn
having smoked out the central nest of trea-
son in Washington. will have ravaged your
whole coast by this time. might nave
boarded you when L first came in, but you
are treacherous devils, and would probably
have used those murderous whaling tools
us; and | hold that one British blue
jacket is worth more than thousand of
We. l didn't sink burn your old grease
box. because, filthy as it is, there's prize
money in ii, and my loyal boys in blue
snail spend the money you nave earned,
while you shall holystone my decks, and
train my guns on the enemies of the king
You, Rawlins, are surly brute! I'll put
you in the copper punt! And you shall
keep her copper like gold-plate or | pro-
mise you frequently recurring weddings
with the 'gunner's daughter Seize them,
men. and take them aboard"
'Avast, there Captain Zeke held up
big brown palm. and the trained seamen
halted instinctively, at the word of COM
mand. NO need to sic on your dogs" he
continued, glazing savagely at Armstrong.
you've got the upper hand, and it's no
more than we might have expected from
passed. of treacherous redcoats; for that's
a.. you are if you do wear the blue. But 1
amt in your copper punt yet-Stan' up''
Clear and defiant the words rang out:
Three seas-pitchpole!"
The Englishmen'S amusement changed to
wonder as twelve harpoons were pitched
pOled from the bush al their side elevated
for a three-seas' dart They swished overhead
in perfect alignment, like rank of charg-
ing cavalry; each short-Warped to the
heavy seine. The irons buried themselves
to the bitches in the sand at the waters
edge. the great net settled, and the entire
British force, except the two boat tenders,
were shared like wild pigeons. With
whoop and a crash of crockery Capt. Zeke's
contingent charged across the table, while
Ads reinforcements appeared in the rear.
Puzzled and handicapped by the entangling
net. their arms rendered useless, the Eng
lishmen went down in a squirming crush
ing heap.
Unlike the fondlng of an infant by its
mother was the measure melted unto them.
When thoroughly subdued they were inge-
nOusly tied with the short warps and
further secured with the Wreckage of the
table and handy beach drift.
Think nobody heard of the declaration of
war but you, do ye?' Capt. Zeke called
back to his discounted foe, as he marshaled
wasn't so near full I'd swap ships with ye
Come, hurry up, boys, and catch those
boats
The briggs boats. each with It's keeper
scullng homeward for dear life were
quickly overhauled, the men captured and
the boats stove and set adrift.
The Betsy AIMS cook. a shrewd old
spouter, got his cue from the miniature ma
sliprope, set the courses and had her headed
for blue water before the boats arrived. AS
the old lady swashed across the briggs stern
Capt Zeke hailed his friend, the mildly
who had been left in charge
Hey, sonny. When your sailing master
gets back ask him how he likes Yankee
sauce with kangaroo tail?'
The youngster had heard Of that tide
which, taken at the flood, leads on to for
tune Surmising that this might be 1t, he
hastily dispatched cutter ashore and was
soundy berated by his irate captain for not
having sent the pnnace also. He then re-
membered that ito err Is human
Before the Betsy AIMS topgallant sails
were set the Grampus was after her, with
every rag drawing. The brig was gaining
like a swordfsh on a porpoise and Capt.
Zekes craw was full of large and exceed
ingly large fshhooks. They We're running
dead before the wind, which enabled Arm
strong to ''yaw' from side to side, and fire
on the defenseless whaler. 32-pound shot
cut Capt. Zeke's own boat in two, leaving
the ends nglng pathetcaly from the
davits quick CLEAN of recollection dis
placed the angry glare with which he re-
garded the wreck. He dived below, and re-
turned with a chart containing the discov-
les he had made on those lazy ting trips.
He took a hasty but careful cross bearing,
made rapid mental calculation, and kept
away two points and half. Then he
watched his vicious, f1eet-footed pursuer
with increased anxiety. If now Armstrong
would only make the moves he had SO
carefully planned for him
The supply of wood Amos had laid in was
being rapidly augmented by splinters from
the bulwarks and spare spars, when the
thirty-two spoke again. and the entire stock
was rendered unavailable by the demolition
of the galley. Carefully Captain Zeke
COINED his vessel. Turing the brig upon the
course he had designed her to take as
though she had been under his orders. One
by one the wrinkles smoothed out Of his
brow and the strained look in his eyes
changed to a triumphant glitter. When the
brig waved to fire the shot that raked the