Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
entire vessel, a gentle lurch and-she stood

entire vessel, a gentle lurch and-she stood
upright.
Finally we could crawl out into the
cabin. Water swished about the floor be-
tween our feet. / knew where the match
box was nailed fast to the bulkhead. l
found a match, struck it and with some
difficulty lit the cabin lamp. The glass
chimney was smashed hut the W. ok burned
a m smoky flame.
The two mates were holding to the table
as though still uncertain of their footing.
The door to the after cab opened and the
skipper appeared, bleeding sig htly from a
cut over one eye. For a few seconds no
one spoke
We'll, I'll be d. gasped the second
mate at last. snearing blood over his face
from cut on his hand.
II hope you will be- exploded the mate.
What We mean, you two lubbers, by burst
| ing in my door and walking all over me ?
Why in thunder d dnt We stay in your
hunks til it was over?
It'll it was over?" cred the second
mate. why, blast it. you was too scared
to turn out Me ard tie boy are tn, only
ones who had the sense to turn out We
didn't lie trembling in our bunks-not
much. We turned out to see what could he
done We can tumble out when there's
trouble. Then Gauss We happened to slip
In the dark and fail against your bloody
door We raise kick Why d dn't We leave
1t open SOS We didn't have to We through
it. Blast your bloody door. anyway, We
came in to call ye, SO S you should get ou.
too. an that's your gratitude"
Wen, next time you call me don't jump
on my stomach an don't bust my wash
pasln over my head / amt so heavy
sleeper. \ gentle tap with a top maui will
do"
Further recriminations were cut short by
the captain ordering us on deck. We crawl
ed uncertainty up the companionWay, as
though still distrusting our foothold
Overhead the sky was almost clear; there
was only murky mass of vapor trailing
over to seward. About us the water was
In oh @lxf
smacking like herd of hungry pigs
Aboard lay heaps of debris of smashed
boats. bulwarks, spars, water casks and
ropes Half the mizzen rigging lay on the
skyllght. The Waterman and sailors came
crawling aft with a lantern.
What was l telling you about the
weather in these regions?" said the second
mate. vindictively. Who was right?"
The mate ventured only a low inarticu-
late growl.
Il 'spose.'' continued the second mate, ad-
dressing nobody in particular, "as how none
of these lubbers ever saw white suualI
before; but they'll learn as they grow older
Capnl1 know better next time than leav-
ing his hold empty in these waters. After
this I'll sleep on deck till We get some stiff
ening in.
Jack" shouted the skipper. where were
you when this happened?"
ION deck, SIR replied the Waterman
The cable got foul of the keel 1t was
dead calm an the blarsted puff struck her
midships before she could pay out"
"All hands clear away this mess" ordered
the captain. After an hours work we had
cleared the poop of all movable wreckage,
dashed fast what we could, and then Stacked
out twenty fathoms more of cable. 1t had
been too short.
By this time 1t was only in the morning
Again all hands turned in and half an hour
later were peacefully slumbering, forgetfuI
of the nights incident and of the morrow's
work. The second mate forgot his VOW to
sleep on deck, for before l dropped off l
heard through the nartitiop hat fad
our rooms the deep gurgle Of his nightly
sleeping song.