Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-06-10
NHE boats an old P. and O.
lifeboat," said Mr.. McTodd.
diagonal, built Of teak and
ouite big enough for the pur.

diagonal, built or teak anu
quite big enough for the pur
pose. OF course something with steam
In her would be better, because we're
both steamer men. but that's out OF the
question. That would mean too many
to share. So the thing is, Can you buy
this lifeboat and victual her for the
trip? I'm no what you might call cap
,talist myself just for the moment"
Captain Kettle eyed the grimy serge
of his companion with disfavor. You
don't look it," he said. That last en-
gine room you got sacked from must
have heen mighty filthy place"
"'Twas." said McTodd: "but. as 1t
bappcncd. didn't get the sack. ran
from her here in Glib because Ia no
wish 10 yet back to England and have
this news useless in my pocket. and OF
course | had to let slide the fS IN
wages that was due to me-.
by james. it's beginning to look like
pusiness when Scottie runs away
from siller that he's righteously earn
edr'
"Well, I'm no. denying it was spec
ulation. It's bit Of speculation. II
YOU come to reckon up, asking a newi!
sacked sea captain to join in such
venture"
81 don't suppose you'd have much
choice here in Gibraltar"
"Maybe you'd not have heard OF ei
thor me or the wreck II l had" said
McTodd.
Ket,le's face hardened. "See here,
he said; keep a civil tongue In your
head or go out of this lodging. im 10
te treated with respect or don't oeai
with you"
"Then let my clothes alone and be
civil yoursel. It's mighty dry shop
this, captain"
.I'ye no whisky in the place nor
snare money to buy it. If we're TO 60
ON with this plan of yours. we shal
want every dollar that can be raised
"That's true, and Tonic and l haven't
10 shillings between US.
Kettle gave up pacing the room ana
sat himself on the edge OF the tapie anu
frowned 81 don't see the use OF tax
inc either Antonio. If that's his name
or YOUR other dago. l don't IKE tne
brood Of them. You and | would De
ouite enough to handle an open ooa'
and cuite able to take care or our
selves If the wrecks got the money
on her and we finger 1t. We'll promise
IN bring them back their share al
right and II the things fizzle, as it's
very likely to be-well. they'll be saved
a very unpleasant boat cruise.
"It's no 90" said the engineer. ana
YOU may make up your mind 10 nave
them as shipmates. captain. or SIT mere
on your tail where you are you
think I've any appetite for degoes uiy
sell? No. sir: no more than you
don,t trust them no more than strip
ned thread. and they don't trust me
They wouldn't trust you. ne!
wouldn't trust the provost OF Ediiinoro
II he was TO make similar proposals 10
them"
"Then have YOU no idea where TINS
steamboat was put on the ground:
MAN. I've telled you no already
"Seems to me you don't know much
Mr.. McTodd." ,
"l don't. What know is this: come
ashore here. after vera exhaus'ihs
trim down the Mediterranean. just Tor q
drink to fortify the system against the
chills OIL the run home. The brandy Is
poor here on the rock. though III admit
it,s cheap. and as for the whisky
"Never mind that. Get on win your
yarn"
"Dinna hustle q man so. Weel. Went
10 a little dark shebeen where kehneo
the cutthroat In charge. and gave the
name of the ship ! wanted sehai's
back to In case sleep overcame me. ana
settled down for an afternoons ENJOY
ment. You'll ken what ! mean:
II know you're drunken beast when
YOU yet the chance for an orgy.
II have my weaknesses. captain or
maybe I'd no have left Ballindrocha'
ter. where my father was Free k'rk
meeuister. We both have our weak
nesses. Captain Owen Kettle. and It's
they that have brought US to what we
are"
IF YOU don't leave me alone aud get
on with your yarn" said Kettle aclu'
II. you'll find yourself in the street.
"Oh. | like your hospitality hne. ana
I'll stay, thanks. Weel. Id just set
tied myself down to a good square
drink at this Spaniards sbebeen when
out of a dark corner come Tonic ana
the other dago. bowling and taking on
their hats as polite as though Ia been
an archbishop at the very least. It's
extraordinary how the lower classes
instinctively go to an officer when they
need help"
ut is. Mac; It H."
I'D met Tonic in Lagos. he was
greaser on the branch boat there, ana !
was her second engineer. He's some
English-coast English-and he did the
talking. The other dago knew moth
Ing but bis own unrighteous tongue
and Just said see-see when Tonic ex.
piained to him what was going on and
Rrinned like a bagful Of monkeys.
give Tonic credit. He spat out bis tale
like a man. He and his mate were IN