The Grit-advocate., 1903-08-07

hiring Z sloop OF ten TO twenty tons IS
| Pope said, but that's the least part -
| William" exclaimed Crystal. "tbe
| long and short of it's this-we wan
| you to give us the names and tho
! homes of three men who may not he
wholly unused to jobs of this sort and
who. for handsome consideration
will be willing to ship as our crew"
"Oh, that's your want" said Cross.
man thoughtfully. He put his finger
to his nostrils. and striding to the
door opened it. and stood looking
forth upon the bar with its crowd
of drinkers.
On sudden the expriZetighter whis.
tied and beckoned, and after draining
with some marks of astonishment on
his wicked face, a middle sized man
wearing an old beaver hat and a
worn-out monkey jacket
"Bobbin,' exclaimed Crossman
step in here a minute. There's two
gents who want word with you,
Here's one man for your purpose
Captain Pope" he said: but he re
manned in the doorway.
What's your name?" said Captain
Pope to the man the prizetighter haG
summoned.
Robert Bobbin," answered the fel.
low. in q rough, raw voice, with his
head stopped. twirling his hat, his
greasy black hair tumbling about his
face, on which the devil had written
the word rogue in eye, nose. and
mouth.
Captain Pope began to talk to him
in very low voice, and Captain Crys-
tai drew close, pipe in hand, and lis
tened. Crossman, in the doorway
seeing this, directed his one eye at
Captain Pope, to whom he said
There must be no arrangements
made in this ere house. master. I'm
willing to oblige my friend Crystal.
but | cant allow myself to be in.
volved."
Then looking at the fellows in the
bar, all of whom were eagerly staring
in the direction of the parlor, thirstily
wondering why Bobbn had been called
in. he called out the names of two
men, who instantly came tumbling to.
ward him and lurched into the parlor.
Pope looked them up and down;
one was haggard man, of broken
and dangerous appearance: he was
very dark, with a savage squint, and
rolled on his legs as he stood, as though
the floor OF the parlor had been a
heaving deck. The other was little
man, very thickset, pale, with brown
hair that sat upon his head like a
wig. and moist blue protruding eyes.
He looked as harmless as the other
seemed terrifying.
But they We're three men, and very
At for the errand Pope and Crystal
designed to carry them on. Beyond
few questions, however, and the
taking down of note or two, Cross.
man would not permit any converse
ton.
NO, you must settle your business
out of my house" said he; whereupon
the three men agreed to present them
selves at Captain Pope's lodging next
morning. Pope gave each man
guinea. shut the door upon them and
the silence was charming.
Can you put me in the way OF
hiring a little vessel, something fit to
cross the Channel in?" said Captain
Pope.
Crossman pondered; there was moth
ing sinister in this request. After a
considerable pause he said:
There's Jem Marling; you'll find
him in Rock street, Greenwich |
know he has little vessel in which
he goes a-coasting, and l believe she'd
suit your purpose. Tell yer what III
do; I'll find out if she's in the river.
and If ycull send here tomorrow
afternoon l may be able to give YOU
some particulars
Nothing could be more satisfactory.
Pope thanked the prizehghter heartily,
and he and Crystal departed.
Here you'll find your crew for the
Gypsy" said Crystal to Pope. as they
stepped into the street
And Pope assented in loud laugh OF
satisfaction.
(To be continued)