Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-02-06


what is another's. Is that seamanly
behavior. now, / want to know? But
I'm a saving soul never wasted good
money of mine, nor lost it, neither: and
III trick 'em again. I'm not afraid on
EN-. I'll shake out another reef, matey,
and daddle 'em again.
AS he was thus speaking he had risen
from bed with great difficulty, holding
to my shoulder with a grip that all
most made me cry. and moving his
legs like SO much dead weight. His
words spirited as they We're in mean
ing, contrasted sadly with the weak
ness of the voice in which they We're
uttered. He paused when he had got
into a sitting position on the edge.
THAT doctors done me-" he muir
INJURED. My ears is singing. Lay me
back"
Before could do much to help him
he had fallen back again TO his former
place. where he lay for awhile silent.
Jim" he said, at length, you saw
that seafaring man today?'
Black Dog?" l asked.
"Ah! Black Dog" says he. Giles a
bad 'un, but there's worse that put
how, and they tip me the black spot,
mind You, it's my Old sea-chest they're
after. You get on hcrse-you can,
can't you? Well then, you get on
horse. and go towel, yes l will.-to
that eternal doctor swab and tell him
to pipe all hands-ma sistrates and slch
and he'll lay EN- aboard at the Ad-
miral Benbow-all old Fiint's crew.
man and boy, all on EN- that's left.
was first mate, ! was, cd T.int's first
mate, and I'm the on'y one as knows
the place. He gave it to me at Savannah,
where he lay a-dying. like as if I was
to now, YOU see. But you won't peach
unless they get the black spot on me,
or unless you see that Black Dog
again. or seafaring man, with one
leg, m-hm above all. :"
"But what is the black spot cap
tain?" / asked
That's summons. mate. I'll tell
you If they get that. But you keep your
weather-eye open. Jim. and I'll share
with You equals, upon my honor"
He wandered q little longer his voice
growing weaker; but soon after had
given him his medicine. which he took
like a child, with the remark. IF ever
a seaman wants drugs it's me-" he fell
at last into heavy, swoon like s'eep in
which l left him. What / should have
done had all gone we'll do not know.
Probably | should have told the Whole
story to the doctor; for was in NOR
tai fear lest the captain should repant
of his confessions and make an end of
father died quite suddenly that even
ing, which put all other matters ON
one side. Our natural distress. the Wis
its of the ncighbors. the arranging of
the funeral, and all the work of the inn
to be carried on in the meanwhile, kept
me so busy that had scarcely time TO
think of the captain, far less to be
afraid of him.
He got down stairs r.eXt morning, to
be sure, and had his meals as usual,
though he eat little, and had more. I
am afraid, than his usual supply of
rum, for he helped himself out of the
bar, scowling and blowing through his
nose, and no one dared TO cross him.
On the night before the funeral he was
as drunk as ever; and 1t was shocking,
In that house of mourning, to hear MIN
singing away at his ugly old sea- song;
but. weak as he was, we We're all in fear
of death for him, and the doctor was
suddenly taken up with a case many
miles away, and was never near the
mouse after my fatheraS death. i have
said the captain was weak; and indeed
he seemed rather to grow weaker than
regain his strength. lie clambered up
and down stairs, and went from the
par!or to the par and back again, and
sometimes put his nose out of doors 70
smell the sea. holding on to the walls
as he went for support, and breathing
iitiiu anu IdSl llt.G ol d Sltep
mountain. He never particularly adj
dressed me. and 1t is my belief he had
as good as forgotten his condolences;
but his temper was more Tightly, and,
allowing for his bodily weakness, more
violent than ever. He had an alarming
way now when he was drunk of draw
ing his outlass and laying it bare be-
that. he minded people less. and seemed
shut up in his own thoughts and ratner
wandering. Once. for instance, to our
extreme wonder, he piped up to a diff
ferent air, kind of country love song,
that he must have learned In his youth
before he had begun to follow the sea.
so Things passed until, the day after
the funeral and about O'Clock OF a
bitter. foggy. frosty afternoon, ! was
slandihg at the door Tor moment, run
OF SAD thoughts about my father, When
saw some one drawing Slowly nenr
a me road. he Was plainly blihd,
lor ne 1apepa before MN WIN SUCK,
s,a m"fe sieau si rs, s,,aae oSsl ms
~ a,iu l.ose, ai.o ne . 40 n.inelieu DIS
~ mi'li IA as a Ms,ah'ies So ana i,,, Mole
49, ,,,..aa liz ,'as.,t i. !. 49,
fn,,,ad na,a, sa,i, -, lifa
draadf, ,nnl,ins i.y,r re. Ha ct sto, a,,p'
little from the inn. and raising his
voice in an odd sing-song, addressed
The alf IN TrOnI OIL MIN.
will any kind friend inform a poor
blind man, who has lost the precious
sight of his eyes in the gracious de-
Tense of his native country, England,
and God bless King George.-where or
in what part of this country he may
now be?'
You are at the Admiral Benbow.
Black Hill Cove, my good man" said 1.
II hear voice." said he, "a young
voice. Will you give me your hand.
my kind friend, and lead me in?"