Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-30

He spoke to him in low tone, so that no
sailor who might be near the skylight
might overhear him.
'I'll have to fix you up a bit before you
go on deck. Your face seems knocked about
some. Let me put some cold towels on it. l
think 1t would be better-for-the men not
to see you until-until you are washed up
bit. Don't you?'
wiped his face off with wet towels and
made him presentable he could.
Seven bells Q1:3O sounded family from the
deck, and Parton counted them mentally.
Now, I'll tell YOU said he, with as good
a pretense at cheerfulness was possible
in the circumstances. You'll have to go
on deck at eight bells to take the sun, won't
you?'
Il suppose So" said the mate.
We'll | won't so it Is necessary to look
after you first The less the men see of us
in the condition we are in the better it will
be for both of us. One man saw the fight;
but | have made him promise not to speak
of it on deck, and 1 think he will keep his
promise
Thank YOU. said the mate, greatly to
Partons surprise.
"Oh, that's all right. The affair isn't very
much to the credit of either of US. Now
am going to give you some brandy to brace
up on. and I'm going to keep these towels
changed upon your face every two minutes
until you have to go up. 1t will make you
feel all right by that time. l think"
"All right said the mate. There was
look of puzzled surprise in his face. "An
right but what in HI do you do it for?'
why, we're both ashamed of it. l fancy"
said Parton. as easily as he could.
He went to the locker and mixed stiff
brandy grog for both himself and the mate
and then, after giving one of the glasses to
him, sat down on the opposite side of the
table and slowly drank his own. His hands
still trembled violently-the reaction from
the exertion of the fight was sufficient to
cause that-and there were uncertain notes
in his voice.
Finally he began.
Now | believe that it would be a good
plan for us to have an understanding about
this affair and about some other things be-
fore you go on deck, don't your he said
slowly.
Il suppose Wen have to- said the mate.
well. what are you going to do about it
after we reach land?" asked Parton.
Nothing" said the mate. What could
l do?'
as that UNDERSTOOD asked Parton.
looking at him closely
Il said it was. said the mate.
'All right, I'll take your word for it,
said Parton. II may as well tell YOU that
that is the much wiser plan for YOU to fol-
low. There was witness of the fight as
have already told you What have not
told you. and what tell you know, is that
there are witnesses other than myself to
the-the-somewhat unusual liberties which
you have from time to time taken with my
traps there in my bunk. 1 could very read
lily get testimony to the fact that you have
well, that you have borrowed a little
money of me without asking me toto lend
1t to you"
The mate glanced quickly at him. It was
the first time he had moved his eyes In
other than slow and ponderous way since
Parton had lifted him from the floor and
the effect of the quick motion on his bloat-
ed and disfigured face was not pleasant
Yes" said Parton, II have a witness
who saw you rob me of some bank notes
Now. you see, that rather reverses our no.
sitions. l mean that it changes us about
according to your way of thinking You
have been acting on the assumption that
for one reason or another you had me in
your power. We won't go into the reasons
now. and we won't go into them at any
other time. The idea may or may not have
been mistaken one; but you have had II
and you have intended to use It, Now OF
course. all that must stop-and stop TODAY.
Is that agreed?"
Yes" said the mate. ITS agreed: but
what you say amt true"
1--WE won't discuss that" said Parton 'sf.
is agreed. Is 1t. that until this voyage ends
you will treat me as you ought to and show
me as much consideration as a passenger
on the ship ought to have?
Yes" said the mate.
Now. about the money" said Parton, re-
ientlessly "You will have to return that to
me. of course. How much did you take?"
Then he reached into his pocket and the look
which he threw at Parton would have killed
ham u vicious looks had killing qualities.