The Jersey City news., 1902-09-23
CHAPTER VIII.


CHAPTER VIII.
OLD sTEFANs voDKI-DEsMoND EMU
LATES THE CATS.
The saloon of the Hendrix Hudson
would have been n sore sight. to the
eyes of Menzies, the Scotch steward,
if he had been there to see its terrible
dishevelment Round the table four
dirty, sheep skinned soldiers sat and
fingered filthy pack of cards. In each
/ mouth was stuck an evil smelling ci-
gar, and innumerabIe stains of jugs
and tumblers marked the smooth MAJ
hogany The cellaret doors had been
burst open by the kicks of lusty boots,
and books, broken crockery and heap
of little knickknacks strewed the floor.
The company had evidently feasted
where it slept The dirty plates and
knives of the previous evening meal
were tossed carelessly into a corner,
unwashed and sticky. The mud of
shore and forest was thick on carpets
and chairs.
One of the men took a sup from
jug beside him and cursed aloud.
ITO call this thin wash liquor" he
complained. 'I'd rather have the
scourings of vodki cup whence all
had gone but the smell"
Hogs drink, cat lap" agreed an
other "Never a sup Of real spirit can
find aboarc-nothing but this watery
red filth"
Menzies would lave been delighted
at this. None but he and his master
knew the hiding place of the grog-
room, by no means a bad plan on
board yacht If you can trust your
steward an exceedingly bad one if
you can't.
The claret would have been the de-
light Of gourmet. Among these saw
age Tartars nothing short of vitriol-
and cheap vodki is that-deseryed an
encomium. So, though they continued
to sup at the jug perfunctorily, they
didn't cease to condemn the contents.
The irritation born of their unaccus-
toned swillings made them quarrel
hugely over their cards. They banded
accusations Of cheating freely from
one to the other. The atmosphere was
thick with noisome smoke and heated
words.
A hail came from their comrades on
the deck. One of them thrust his head
below the raised skylight, summoning
them to come quickly. They reeled up
the companion and stared stupidity
round them across sea and shore. One
Of the men who had been on deck
pointed to where cleft in the ring of
rocks showed the cliffs of the farther
bay. About 800 yards away a man
could be seen digging methodically at
the crdg foot Beside him lay brown
object, indistinguishable at that dis
tsnce. The fellow was throwing up
the sand energetically and looked nei-
cher to the right hand nor the left
There was but the one narrow slit in
the ringing rocks that gave view upon I
him at all. 1t was evident he knew
nothing of the nearness of the yacht.
Yaroslaff, the corporal, snapped his
fingers in his delight. What should
man bury herey' quoth he. why,
what we're bemoaning the want Of
liquor, my boys; good liquor. I've al
ways heard this was bay for the
smugglers. He's leaving this for the
Lapps without doubt. Now shall we
both preserve the law of the empire
and get refreshment fit for gentlemen
and soldiers. But quietly, you little
pigeons, quietly, and We'll see what
the old scoundrel's up to"
They stole silently across the gang
way and wormed among the shore
rocks till in circle they stood behind
the man. Unconsciously he toiled on
at his digging, and the grins grew up
on the soldiers faces. Finally, as he
delved away, Vladimir, young re-
cruit, contained himself no longer. He
burst into rear Of laughter and strobe
forward, holding his sides, nor were
the others slow to Join in bis hilarious
bawlinga. The man started up with
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