The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-04-28

rel and as sturdy, lis, that he amt got
a backbone. He just lets 'em blow
him about like so much paper. What
he wants is stiffenin'; he's like a
sprung spar. That's what he's like
The mate, tough-looking dog with
hair like anaemic tussac grass in
patches on his face, shook his head.
I've got a greater opinion of him,
captain, than you have. All his double
shuttle Is cunning. It's getting back
SOS to lead them French on. Mark
me, he'll play them yet fair knock
out"
The Guffin sneered.
He may have cunnin', Lampert, but
ne amt no real tact. Now, diplomat
ic tact, l take it, is not givin' way into
the gutter, but just shown as you're
nice pleasant-spoken chap as don't
mean to be put on. It's my good opin-
ion as these foreigners don't yearn
to fight us. And men like you and me,
Lampert, gets to learn the way of
handlin' foreigners. Who has so much
experience with 'em as them in COM
mand of English ships?"
That's So" said the second mate,
who had been listening. "Now last
v'y'ge in the Battleaxe, there was a
Dago in my watch as come from the
betwixt and between land where
Spain jines France. And he, was the
Dagoest Dago l ever sailed with. But
| knew the breed, and the first time
he opens his garlicky mouth I hauled
on and hit him. And then I took my
knife away and snapped the point off.
And | says to him, Now, you black
beggar, every time at muster you'll
show me that knife, and therell be
peace in the land And he done So
and there was peace" ..
The captain (.f "Guffin") smote his
thigh.
You're right, Simcox, you're right,
ard If Salisbury was to take leaf out
OF your logbook in respects of handlin'
Dagoes, 'twould be better for all con.
cerned. But no, not him. He goes on
seem them French make a fleet and
he lets 'em! He actually sees 'em
with their feet sharpenin' on the
grindstone and never says from the
poop, Chuck that overheard, you
swine, or I'll come and 'andle you SOS
you'll be glad to die.'
The second mate was much gratified
as was obvious by his standing first
on one foot and then on another. But
Lampert was not so pleased.
why, you talk-you, captain, and
you, Simcox-as if they had fleet
Why, it's my opinion-and experts say
ditto to me there-that string O.
band-boxes with crackers in 'em, and
all on mud-fat, would do as much
harm as the French fleet-unless they
blows up when we takes EN-"
The Guffin shook his head.
We'll, you know, Lampert, as
never 'ad no opinion of their fleet. But
that amt the question. Salisbury may
have is reasons for not takin' it away
though fails to see 'em; but the real
question is, why we don't have man
with quits and go in command. It's |
my firm belief as there's many mer-
chant captain as could work the d.
plomatic game to better hadvantage.
Look at the experience we has, dealing
with owners contrary as hell, and with
and with 'arbour-masters
and pilots. Where Salisbury is wrong,
IS in his not goin' about and freshin'
Up his mind. And he works by rule O.
humb and dead reckoning. 1t amt no
wonder we can see where's his eyes
,ut."
ut amt" said the compliant Sim
OK.
WELL" sighed Lampert, 81 owns
RELY as I don't feel that sure I'd
ike to run his show"
The Guffin laughed.
But you amt 'ad my experience
ct, Lampert. Now, I'd undertake
, come right down into the .harena. I
nd make them French and Germans ,
1t up like monkeys on horgan while
played the tune" {
II believe you," said Simcox, rub.
Ing his hard hands. a
Look at the difficulties we as to h
'ntend WITH" said the skipper, with h
rapidly thickening utterance and an q
creasing loss Of aspirates-"look at b
e vigilance we as to use. Rocks and q
loals and bother ships. It's Ugh edu- +,
Ition to be master-mariner, and the fl
bard Of Trade knows it-knows it II
ell. This ere crowds all English
cept that one Dutchman and Dutch
en- and Calashees, I'd ave showed
u and Salisbury ow to 'andle mixed NJ
reefs. Vigilance, difficulties, bright T
ok-out, and the rule O. the road. te
I'd look at the chart! That's mel" II
And very shortly afterwards the b,
pie conversation ceased, for the b,
plain lay snoring in his cabin. r.
The Potluck was barque of eleven h,
ndred tons register, and was bound w
Adelaide, with general cargo of 81
mixed things under heaven and nc
earth. Now she was engaged in dr.
ming down her casting, and, as her tn
PIPER believed, was somewhere rs
out Lat. A degrees 80 minutes S.. tn
ng. so degrees E., and not far off