Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1902-02-28
On Different
Tacks -
A Story Of tho Inordinate
Appetite of the British Seaman
by ArHOL FORBES.
by ATHoL FORBES.

Jane, anu Wullhm hODlnSOn, skipper
of the three masted schooner Sally. sat
very snugly In the Indian King, on the
Yarmouth quay. They puffed their
long churchwardens and discussed two
topics of unending interest-the merits
of their respective vessels and the mu-
tinous character Of their crews.
Il tell you, furnished apartments In
the garden O. Eden wouldn't satisfy
EN-" said James Forster. "Blowed If
they wouldn't want somethink more
Sailors o. today are the drtlest, mu-
finest lot O scallywags on the face O
the earth"
''The sea sarviee is not what 1t used
to be-" replied his friend. IF man
or boy set up his lip to the cap'n In my
prentice days. why. that man or boy
carried remembrancer O. 1t to his
grave. Now. the other week on the
homeward v'y'ge | had to hit a man
with handspike, and what does the
bloomin' skunk go and do but sum
mons me, and the fule o. magistrate
fines me f5 and said as how I had no
business to hit man with hand
spike. | says to him. Your worship.
there was nothink else handy to hit
him with But, no; the plgheaded old
fule wouldn't bulge an inch. You just
pay the fine,' he says. 'or seven days
Fancy threatenin' a skipper with sew
en- days chokyl Pahw And he struck
match vIciously and rellghted his
pipe.
''Yes. things is goiD' to the dogs with
a vengeance. Before long we shall have
to provide the men for'ard with feather
beds. scented soap, turtle soup and
fancy biscuits. That's what things Is
comm to, but it's the fault OF the board
of trade"
ITS my honest opinion you might
give my crew toasted angels and then
they'd grumble." replied Robinson.
"Well. for the sake o. peace and
quietness l always gives 'em delicacy
now and again. You see. Im not SO
young as was, and fightin' 'em takes
Is out o. me and upsets the owners"
What do you mean by delicacy?"
demanded his friend.
why. for example. here In Yarmouth
| always lays In cask OF herrin's
whenever comes. Ii pleases 'em. and
1t saves the stores. At the same time
| gets the credit O. bein' better skip
per than most And he laughed at the
idea "For about or 4 shillin's you
can get barrel OF red herrins, but you
save quite f3 or "a on the victuals for
the y'y'ge."
rels Of herrin' II the beggars would
only be grateful-only be satisfied for
once In their dirty lives"
All" said the other. you'll never get
that Gratefulness il a thing quite un-
beknown to 'em."
"Well. I'll try the herrin' dodge and
see how 1t answers. Where can l get
emp
Look here. III be orderin' mine to-
morrow, SO I'll order yours at the same
time. and We can settle up when we
meets In SUNDERLAND. The night tide. ]
supposeT
"Yes. II the wind holds. We hope to
get away then. Come. one more glass.
and then I'm or"
Half an hour later the two men rolled
out of the inn and took their way along
the quay to their respective ships.
number of vessels much alike. lay in
tiers, but special Providence seemed
to guide these two men to their several
charges. Save for an occasional sprawl
over a warp here or post there they
managed TO make their way without
mishap.
Captain Forster's ship was lying out
side that commanded by Robinson. but
the latter stood by until he heard
Alright" which announced that his
friend was safely aboard his own YES
sci. Then be went below. For few
minutes he sat on locker In the evil.
close smelling cabin. that reeked of to-
bacco aud rum. looking vacantly into
the fire. wondering whether he could
drink another glass of spirits and still
be able to get into his bunk without
calling the mate. With a sigh he came
to the conclusion that to take more
would mean the loss of steerage way;
get off his elastic side boots and then
with a satisfied snort rolled into bed
by making one dive into the little state
room. Next night saw the two briggs
dropping down with the tide, the two
shippers fresh and rosy and their re-
spective crews buslly engaged In max
ing sail.
Now, when the cask of behring's cnIue
aboard the Sally the opinion of the
forecastle differed as to Its destination
and purpose.
IT'S present for his missus to mood
wink her over the old sinners latest"
said No. with significant grin.
Maybe it's for the owners" remark
ed another.
The cask stood on end amidships. and
each time a man went below be cast
longing eyes at the barrel. and when
he came on deck again 1t was the first
object be looked for.