The Holly chieftain., 1902-03-14
tMorley Roberts.

Continued from last week.
When the admiral woke which he
did sitter half an hours shaking, ad-
ministered in turns by three Of the
Caufornta's 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 l ?"
On board the California, to be
sure"
I'm dreaming" said the admiral,
that's what 1t 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
70 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 II 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 uudignifled
progress and stared at the mate.
"Who-who are you.?" he said.
Mr.. Simpson gasped.
Who am I-oh, who am I. Well,
TIL 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 twfne and go overhaul
the gear on the MAN.. And II you
open your mouth to say another word
I'll murder you" t
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.
"or I'll come up and boot you OF the
yai-. DO you hear me?"
Yes, SIR" said the admiral, meek
ly, and he murmured, Il suppose /
never was an admiral after all: don't
seem to know what am"
And the hardest nut among the ad-
4 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;
"he amt got the pluck Of a 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 a pannikin
of tea over me just now, and 1 think
thrashing would do him good and con-
duce to the peace and order of the
fo'c's'le."
"Oh. you think so?" said Simpson.
Very we'll. you have my permission
to introduce peace there"
II thank you, sir" said the Admiral
He touched his hat and went forward,
/. He put his head inside the fo'c's'le and
addressed knight:
Z Come outside. you bully, and let me
knock your head of 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 OF to enjoy the bat
tie.
And in i've minutes his mates car
ried knight into the fo'c'sIe.
II don't know when enjoyed my
self more" said Simpson. with sigh.
After that the Admiral had peace
and learnt something every day, and
not least from knight. who proyed by
no means q, bad sort Of man when he
had once met bis match.
The Admiral and Simpson never had
. cross word till they were south of
the Horn. Then by chance the mate
and the captain had few words which
ended in Simpson getting much the
worst Of 1t, Az luck would have 1t the
Admiral was the, hAndiest to vent his
spite ON, and Simpson caught him q
smack ON the aide Of his head that
made. him see stars. And when the
Admiral picked himself on the deck
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