The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-03-10

better Of him.
| The admiral came at last; it was
about quarter to twelve, and the
whole waterfront was remarkably
quiet. The two policemen at the
entrance to the Ferries had by some
good luck, or better management,
found it advisable to take drink at
Johnson's, just opposite. And the adj
miral was only accompanied by his
flag lieutenant.
That's him." said Smith. I'D know
the beggar anywhere. Now keep to-
gether and sing!"
"He broke into Down on the
Suwannee River" and advanced with
Bill and Bills two mates right across
the admiral's path. They pretended
to be drunk, and as far as three were
concerned, there was not so much
pretence about it after all. But Smith
had no intention of being the first to run
athwart the admiral's hawse. When
he came close enough, he showed the
youngest man right into his arms. The
admiral jumped back, and landed that
unfortunate individual round-arm
blow that nearly unshipped his jaw.
The next moment every one was on
the ground, for Bill sand-bagged the
admiral just as he was knocked down
by the lieutenant. AS Sir Richard
fell, he reached out and caught Smith
by the ankle The clearinghouse
master got the lieutenant by the coat
and brought him down too. And as
luck would have it, the youngsters
head hit the admiral's with such a
crack that both lay unconscious.
do we want the young 'un, too?"
asked Bill, when he rose to his feet,
swinging his sand-bag savagely. And
Smith for once lost his head
Leave the swine, and puckarow the
admiral" he said. And indeed it was
all they could do to carry Sir Richard
without exciting any more attention
than four semi-intoxicated men would
as they took home a mate who was
quite incapacitated.
But they did get him home to the
house in the Barbary Coast. When
he showed signs of coming to he was
promptly dosed and his clothes were
taken off him. AS he slept the sleep
of the drugged they put on a complete
suit of rough serge toggery and he
became "Tom Deane, A. B."
"They do say that he is the rough
est, toughest, hardest nut on earth,
said Bill; 80 we'll see what like he
shapes in the California I dessay
he's one of that lot that let's on how
salormen have an easy time. It's my
notion the California will cure him of
that"
By four o'clock in the morning Tom
Deane, who was, as his new shipmates
allowed, a hard-looking man who
could, and would, pull his weight, lay
fast asleep in forward bunk of the
CALIFORNIA; focsle as she was being
toWed through the Golden Gate And
his flag lieutenant was inquiring in
hospital what had become of the adj
miral, and nobody could tell him more
than he himself knew. So much he
told the reporters of the Chronicle and
the Morning Call and flaring head
lines announced the disappearance of
a British admiral, and the wires and
cables fairly hummed to England and
the world generally. At the same time
the San Francisco police laid every
waterfront rat and tough by the heels
on the chance that something might
be got out of one of them.
What did | tell you?" asked Bill in
great alarm, as he saw several init
mate friends of his being escorted to
Jail
Are you weakenin on it?" said
Smith savagely. IF I thought you
was I'd murder you. Give me away,
and when l get out I'll chase you
three times round the world and
knife you, my son.
And though Bill was so much of a
terror" he could not face Smiths
eyes.
well, | amt in it, anyhow" he
swore.
But certainly "Tom Deane, A. B.,
was in it, and was having holy time.
When the admiral woke, which he
did after half an hours shaking adj
ministered in turns by three of the
CALIFORNIA; crew, who were anxious
to know where he had slowed his
bottle of rum, he was still confused
with the dope" given him ashore. So
he lay pretty still and said:
Send Mr.. Selwyn to me"
But Selwyn was his flag lieutenant
and was just then the center Of inter-
est to many reporters.
"Send hell; rouse out, old son, and
turn to-" said one Of his new mates
And the admiral rose and rested on
his elbow.
Where am II"
con board the California, to be
sure"
I'm dreaming" said the admiral
that's what it is. To be sure, I'm
dreaming"
There was something in his accent
as he made this statement that reused
curiosity in the others.