The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-03-27
Morley Roberts

Continued from last week.
When the admiral woke, which he
did after half an hours shaking, adj
ministered in turns by three of the
CALIFORNIA; crew, who were anxious
to know where he had slowed his bot
tie OF rum, he was still confused by
the dope given him ashore. And
then he rose and rested on his elbow.
Where am II"
"On board the California, to be
sure
I'm dreaming" said the admiral,
that's what it is. To be sure, I'm
dreaming
The admiral sat up suddenly, and
by SO doing brought his head into vio-
lent contact with the deck above him.
This woke him thoroughly just in time
to receive Mr.. Simpson, mate of the
California, who came in like cyclone
to inquire after his health.
did you ship as dead MANI
asked Mr.. Simpson. for if you did
I'll undeceive you.
And with that he yanked the admiral
from his bunk and dragged him by
the collar out upon the deck at run.
He rose at the end of his undignified
progress and stared at the mate.
4'Who-who are you?" he said.
Mr.. Simpson gasped.
who am I-oh, who am I. Well,
I'll oblige you by Stain once for all
that I'm mate of this ship. and you're
my dog. Now, you lunatic, take this
here ball of Irvine and go overhaul
the gear on the main. And if you
open your mouth to say another word
I'll murder you
And though he could not believe he
was doing it, Sir Richard Dunn
crawled aloft and did what he was
told. He was stunned.
IL must be mad" thought the
admiral.
Nov, then, look alive there, you
dead crawling cat" said Mr.. Simpson,
cor I'll come up and boot you off the
va. :. DO you hear me?"
"Yes. sir" said the admiral, meek
ly, and he murmured II suppose l
never was an admiral after all; don't
And the hardest nut among the adj
mirals Of the active list wiped tear
with the sleeve of his coat and came
down as he was bid
When the crew were at breakfast
next morning trouble began.
Say, are you an admiral?" asked
knight, the biggest tough on board ex-
cept Simpson and Virgins.
Mind your own business he said.
And Knight hove full pannikin of
tea at him. This compliment was re-
ceiyed very quietly, and the admiral
rose and went on deck
Takes water at once" said knight;
che amt got the pluck of mouse"
But the admiral went aft and inter-
viewed Mr.. Simpson.
II wish to have your permission to
knock the head off a man called
knight. for'ard. He hove pannikin
OF tea over me just now, and think a
thrashing would do him good and con-
duce to the peace and order of the
fo'c's'le"
ooh, you think 500" said Simpson.
Very we'll, you have my permission
to introduce peace there"
Il thank you, SIR said the Admiral.
He touched his hat and went forward.
He put his head inside the focsle and
addressed knight:
Come outside, you bully, and let me
knock your head off. Mr.. Simpson has
been kind enough to overlook the
breach of discipline involved"
And knight nothing 10th, came out
on deck, while Simpson and Virgins
stood little way off to enjoy the bat
tie.
And in five minutes his mates car
ried Knight into the fo'c'sle.
II don't know when I enjoyed my.
self more, said Simpson, with sigh
After that the Admiral had peace
and learnt something every day, anG
not least from Knight, who proved by
no means bad sort of man when he
had once met his match.
The Admiral and Simpson never ha6
"a cross word till they were south OF
the Horn. Then by chance the mate
and the captain had few words which
ended III Simpson getting much the
worst of it. AS luck would have it the
admiral was the handiest to vent his
spite on, and Simpson caught him q
smack on the side of his head that
made him see stars. And when the
Admiral picked himself off the decl
Simpson made a rush for him. The
admiral dodged him and shot up the
poop-laddar. At any other time Bla.
ker, the captain would have gone fol
the seaman VITO dared to escape a
thrashing for the moment by desecra-
ting the poop, but now he was willing
to annoy Simpson.
We'll, what do you want?" he
roared
Well sir, / wanted to know whethe,
Western Ocean custom goes here. I've
been told that if l thrash your mate
i shall have his job They say for
ward that that's your rule. and if so