The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-07
PHANTOM Snip
Or
The Flying Dutchmon.
~~-HY caFrAr MmYAr


way, the man had left the windlass.
the sails had been trimmed and they
were securing the anchor on board
when the bell Of the poop cabin zap
Dropriated to the supercargo) was
pulled with great violence.
What can that be?" said Mynheer
Kloots (who was forward, taking his
1 pipe ont Of his mouth ''Mynheer Van
derdecken, will you see what is the
matter?"
Philip went aft. as the peaIing Of
the bell continued, and. opening the
cabin door. discovered the supercargo
perched upon the table and pulling the
bell rope, which hung over its center,
with every mark Of fear in his coun-
tenance. His wig was of. and his bare
skull gave him an appearance peculiar
ly ridiculous.
What is the matter, sir?" inquired
Philip.
Matter" spluttered Mynheer Won
Stroonl call the troops in with their
frelocks. Quick, sir. Am I to be muir
dered, torn to pieces and devoured?
For mercy's sake, sir don't stare. but
do something--look. it's coming to the
table! Oh, dear, oh. deari" continued
the supercargo. evidently terrified out
Of his wits.
Philip, whose eyes had been fixed on
Mynheer Won stroom. turned them II
the direction pointed out, and, much
to his astonishment, perceived a small
bear upon the deck, who was amusing
himself with the supercargo's flowing
wig, which he held In his paws, tossing
1t about, and now and then burying
his muzzle in it. The unexpected sight
Of the animal was at first shock to
Philip; but at a moments considera-
tion assured him that the animal must
be harmless, or it never would have
been permitted to remain loose in the
vessel
Nevertheless, Philip had no wish to
approach the animal, whose disposi-
tion he was unacquainted with. when
the appearance of Mynheer Kloots put
an end to his difficulty.
What is the matter. mynheer?v said
the captain. "Oh, seel it is Jo-
hannes, continued the captain. going
up to the bear, and saluting him with
kick, as he recovered the supercar
go's wig. "Out Of the cabin, Johannest
out, sirl" cried Mynheer KIoots.
kicking the breech Of the bear till the
animal had escaped through the door.
"Mynheer Won Stroom, / am very sor-
ry-here is your wig. Shut the door.
Mynheer Vanderdecken, or the beast
may come back, for he is very fond Of
me-
AS soon as the door was shut be-
tween Mynheer Won Stroom and the
object of his terror the little man slid
off the table to the high-backed chair
near it shook out the damaged curls +
of his wig, and replaced ii on his head:
pulled out his ruffles, and, assuming an
air Of magisterial Importance, struck
his cane on the deck, and then spoke.
"Mynheer Kloots, what is the mean
ing Of this disrespect to the supercargo
OF the pulssant company"
God in heavenl no disrespect. myn-
heer; the animal is a bear, as you see;
he Is very tame, even with strangers.
He belongs to me, l have had him
ever since he was three months old. II
was all a mistake. The mate. Mynheer
put him in the cabin. that
ne might be out OF the way while the
duty was carrying on, and he quite for
got that he was here. am very sor-
ry Mynheer Won Stroom; but he will
not come here again, unless you wish
to play with him"
Play with him? |, supercargo to
the company, play with bear Myn-
leer Kloots, the animal must be thrown
overheard Immediately"
Nay, nay; / cannot throw over
board an animal that hold in much
Affection. Mynheer Won Stroom. but {
ie shall not trouble you"
1T must Immediately be sent out of
he ship, Mynheer Kloots. order YOU y
o send it away-on your peril to re- {
use"
Then We will drop tho anchor again.
dynheer Won Stroom, and send on S
hore to headquarters to decide the S
'oint. If the company insists that the b
'rute be put on shore. be it so; but c
ecollect, Mynheer Won Stroom. we S
hall lose the protection Of the feet. S
nd have to sail alone Shall I drop j
he anchor. mynheer?" ''
This observation softened down the c
ertinacity Of the supercargo; he had Z
o wish to sail alone, and the fear Of y
his contingency was more powerful 81
han the fear Of the bear. n
"Mynheer Kloots, Will not be too o
eyere; If the animal ia chained so Y
bat 1t does not approach me. | viii b
1nsent to its remaining on board. 4
CHAPTER VIII. "
NVa rnt3af oIlorr IN