The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-17
In the Uasp's Nest
BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY.
copyright, 1902 by Charles Scribners Sons)
CHAPTER XIV.
Boston Is Severely Reprimandcd.

night. The Wasp, however, proved herself a very
weatherly Ship and in spite of the carrying away Of
the head-booms beyond bowsprir, she buoyantly
rode out the storm Morning broke dull gray with
tremendous wind STILL altho it was sensbly abating
The however, higher ever as is often the
case There not sail to be seen, nor, course,
any signs of the lost spars masts "
In order to be prepared for making further
should it be desirable, possibly because the storm
light yards again it morning
After everything had been
orders to Ned Boston to report to him. When the
miserable little midshpman the captains cabin
he found Captain Jones seated at his table,
Biddle on side and Mr.. Rodgers other.
MIR. Boston," said the captain severely, IT wish
to know what the the deplorable
red away a jib-boom and flying jbboom, sir, to
nothing of the jib ITSELF"
yes, SIR began the boy, nervously shifting from
one foot to the other in his agitation. furlng
must have been badly secured sir the wasn't
been before we passed the for the wind got
under the clew and lifted it, bagged it out, and
and that's all know, sir
"Umph!' said Captain JONES' with great sternness
you are the midshipman the head booms are you
not?"
Then you are, Of course responsible for every
thing "a done there?" - .-...
who is stationed the jib-boom at furling sail?"
= Thompson and Sykes were, sir"
"They are the men who went overheard, they
yes SIR .'.-~
'Mr. Boston," said the captain, with an appalling
severity, this is matter. furling-ine
or -gasket properly secured should not work 1oose
sir The carelessness which produced accident last
night might have had consequences deplor-
able than those which have resulted We nieht have
gone over if the carrying away of the boom
relieved the pressure. If we had got beam
it would have been necessary cut away the nasts
in order to right the ship, done
it. A most dangerous operation indeed, sir, and
that would probably have been attended by
many men and perhaps the Ship
Poor little Ned turned white death this
tremendous indictment rected against him. See
ing which the captain continued more kindly:
you are very young officer, sir, and I glad
that this happening did not to you later in ife
let he 9Stin 1aSC0 to
to see personally that everything is thoroly done
which you have charge. You charged with just
such responsibilities and appointed in the naval
service for just such purposes Above sir par
ticular that anything that is secure
that it cannot possibly work loose in a way,
storm. believe that did the best you could
yet have had but little experience, shall
not report in this instance, men whose
fault it was primarily have paid with their lives in
deavoring to rectfy it, there nothing sad
except this sir. Whenever anything of that
be done in moment of danger must personally
endeavor to rectify it, and not allow the go
alone. An American officer, sir must always lead!'
The boys heart almost stopped it's beating;
as if he fainting. He could not speak
had, matter of fact inspected the flashing
he came deck when the sail fured, his
unskied eye it seemed secure AS the captain doubt
less realized, it of ignorance mex
perence rather than of careessness yet he did we'll
to emphasize the lesson. There thing how
ever, which he apparently did not know,
that Boston had endeavored to out the
with the and had only been prevented by the
perior strength and determination of the chief
SWANS mate He would have urged this in his
renee put ne was so nlled with emotion that he was
incapable of speech ne could not say word to save
his life.
do not take it hard, Mr.. Boston," continued
captain, greatly moderang his tone he noticed
boys anguish II dare did the best could.
I'm only pointing out to that the government
not want you to do best worst. It wants
you to do the thing with which charged to do,
and do it right, and it wants you to lead your men,
them. the feature of the affair
that you not there with them. You would have
lost life sir, but would have done your duty
IF you will permit me, SIR interrupted Mr..
Rodgers IT think that Mr. Boston did make effort
to go out the boom with the have an
distinct recollection that prevented him.
us that so sir % said the captain turning the
small culprit
The poor little midshipman could only nod his
head. -
it?'.
No
do you who it was, Rodgers?"
II think it may have been the chief bo'sn's
mate, sir" ..- -..z