The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-23

bilge checks clear, and then she
squelched down again, dragging the
lifabOat close in murderOus cuddle,
WhicL smashed in one of her sides as
though it had been made from egg
shell. Other lines We're 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-
rerate efforts in these moments of des-
perate stress, and they reached the
swayng 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 tiremen to give you
bunk. I'll tell the steward to bring
you along a bit of rum directly" He
slapped friendly hand on McTodd's
shoulder. "Bo's'n," he said, take this
gentleman down to the messroom and
| pass the word to one of the engineers
to come and give him a welcome"
And then he turned as to an equal and
shook Kettle by the hand. Every glad
/ to welcome you aboard, old fellow
beg pardon, captain, l should have
said; didn't see the lace on your sleeve
before. Come below with me, captain.
and I'll fix you up with some dry
! things outside and some wet things in,
before we have any further chatter"
"NIr. Mate" said Kettle, you're very
polite, but hadn't better go up on to
the bridge and say 'howdy' to the skip
per frst?"
The mate of the cattleboat grinned
and tucked his arm inside Captain
Kettles and dragged him off with
kindly force toward the companion
way. "Take a cinch from me, cap
tain, and don't The old mans in such
a mortal fear for the ship that he's
fair crying with it. If he'd had his
way. | don't fancy he'd have seen
your boat at all. He said it was sui
eide to try to pick you up with such
a sea running But the second mate
and put in some ugly talk, and so he
just had to do it. Here's the com,
panon. Step inside. and I'll shut the
door"
Pretty sort of captain to let his
mates boss Him"
quite agree With you, captain, quite
agree With YOU all the way. But that's
what's done on this ship, and there's
no getting over it. It's not to my lill
ing either. I'm an old Conway boy
and was brought up to respect disci
pline. However. l dare say you'll sec
for yourself how things run before WI
dump you back on dry mud again
Now, here we are at the room, an,
there's a change of clothes in thai
drawer beneath the bed and under
wear below the settee here. You ant
, l are much of a build, and the kit
! quite at your service till your own i
dry again."
, The mate was back again in ter
; minutes, dripping, cheerful. hospitable
Holy tailors!" said he. ''How you d,
, set off clothes! Those old buds cam,
i out of a slop chest once. and I've beef
ashamed OF their shabbiness NOR
years than | care to think about. Blu
, you've a way Of carrying them tina
makes them look Well fitting and quit.
new. Well. tell you I'm please,
to see a sprCc" man on this ship. Com
, into the cabin now and peek BIT