Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1903-06-26

0kHiiiHA ~ 'OAlh6dl'h ib' VI llt hit
tallic life raft. Give me three minutes
start. they said, with "A spanking
breeze abaft the miZzen, and IL was
bowsprits to Delaying pins that Clark
Russell could not overhaul me in an
evenings time.
Whenever n guest of distinction was
present at the club my sea story was
expected as a matter of course. Upon
such occasions | would make the wind
roar through the rigging and the an
Choir chain rattle through the hawse
hole. Every time the vessel careened I
would bury her rail under n breaker.
and then, as she righted herself, you
could fairly hear the water gurgling
out through the scuppers.
But TO return to the French admiral
md the affair OF honor which has been
town talk for n fortnight. Personally
l have lone everything possible to
quiet he wild rumors regarding the
encounter in the banquet hall, but they
reoccur so persistently and are so
grossly distorted that l feel forced to a
plain statement OF facts.
Ii seems that the fellow had been
foisted upon the club by an obscure
member named briggs. For two even
ings this obtrusive Frenchman had mo-
nopolized the general conversation and
wearied the members with verbose ac-
counts OF alleged adventures In five
quarters OF the globe. On the third
night Bradlee was delegated by tho
long suffering ones 10 wait upon me
and demand my immediate presence on
penalty.
"You see" he explained, at Is a mat.
ter OF self preservation. This French
admiral is making life a burden for us.
Because we happen to be stranded a
thousand miles from salt water he Inn
AGNES us capable OF swallowing his
three masted lies. You must come down
and make him take water. Just heave
TO In the otfing until he gets well under
way and her cut him out. Crowd on
all sail and give him n run for his mon
ey. When you have overhauled him
bring every gun to bear and squirt a
broadside of gloom into his most vul-
nerable parts. You are the only man in
the state that is qualified TO throw the
SAhlIA'H AhAO AAN iASSii6 AlIA Ohl
him on equal terms. Remember, there
is to be no quarter. Make him strike
his colors or send him to the bottom.
OF course my words are only fgura,
tive, but you can doubtless follow the
main drift OF my remarks"
Now, | leave ii To the most cold
bloOded If any one could withstand
such an appeal as that. No man OF
honor could hang back and see his feI-
ow countrymen put To shame by Il for
eign invader. Besides, there was every
indication OF sport equal to an interna-
tional yacht race or a naval duel be-
tween two first class men-of-war.
Lead on | said; this night will |
deliver you from the jaw OF the ene-
my"
When we eventually arrived at the
club the Frenchman had already hoist
ed his mainsail and was heading for
open water. At my entrance every one
smiled save the admiral. He held to
his course and minded not the secret
signals which passed between the mem
bers. If | remember correctly he was
loaded with rum and teakwood and
had half the crew down with scurvy. |
waited until he had drifted for three
days, without II cloud in the sky and
the sea like II huge shield OF FURNISHED
brass. Then Bradlee gave me the wink.
And no one" | said. "can better an
preciate such a situation thar myself.
| have lived through it day by day,
hour by hour, minute by minute. ON
Feb. 13"-
Just then the Frenchman made a
noise in his little black beard which
sounded like the explosion of n wet
frecracker. He cleared his throat, he
stamped his foot. he said things which
are fortunately untranslatable. 1t was
all 10 no purpose. BY that time | was
in latitude 30 degrees and some min
utes. and the most terrible storm
which had ever visited the southern
hemisphere had just sheared off our
masts like so many pipestems. Seeing
that he was clearly outclassed, the adj
miral relapsed into an armchair and
never again opened his lips until the
crew of the Gloucester whaler pulled
the German passenger off the metallic
life raft and threw the first mates
thigh zone TO the sharks.
Then the little man sprang up.
Yer good he cried approvingly-
ever good and absolute truei But you
mistake in this-zel passenger was
French. not German"
briggs laughed boisterously. A few
of the members Joined in his Ill timed
mirth. But | still had n round shot
left in my locker.
You are laboring under a delusion.
sir" | replied. without so much as
CHANGING in his direction. There is no
question as to the passengers nation
ality. | was that passenger"
Upon this the Frenchman whipped
out an official looking document. all
covered with seals and red tape and
Ecrawly writing.
Gentlemen Said he, with forced