Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-10


| and greasy cap, which he had
| change the rags he wore--drenched
by the storm in the ride down In the
| tug---for dry ones, and he stood in
that dishevelled crew perhaps the
sorriest looking Of all. The carDen-
ter seemed prosperous. and the cook
shone In immaculate white: but the
men were badly blcst. by nature and
fate. Here and there showed a clean
article Of APPAREL new cap or
hat shamlng the garments beneath.
new pair Of rubber boots. new
sou 'wester. or new sheathknife
and belt. But aside from these they
wore the patched, fringed. and tar
bespoiled garments OF their last voy-
| age. and on each face was a common
expression of earnestness and hope
lessness. Over their heads arose the
Roman nose and humorous eye Of
Sawyer and in the front rank stood
Ensign Breen of the United States
| navy, picturesque in his vestments,
and with countenance as woe-be-
gone as It is possible for a shang-
haied graduate OF Annapolis to as
sumo. The steward was at the wheel,
and scowling down on them from the
| poop we're Mr.. Jones and a gray
bearded man who wore a SLOUGH hat
and long pilotcloth overcoat, In the
pockets OF which he kept his hands.
They needed no introduction to know
- - - II l..
scanned each Of the twenty mems
faces. paced a few turns fore and aft
on the poop, then brought himself
up squareiy against the monkey-rail.
his hands still in his pockets.
my names Bilker," ne said slowly
and impressively; then. after mo-
ment's silence, he repeated in a
louder voice, my names Bilker."
The men shuffled their feet I'M
easily under his stare, but none an
swered.
I'm John Bilker, O. Province
town" continued the captain. "and
I've sailed ships out O. N'York and
Boston for twenty-five years; and 7
low that In all that time / never let
any measly gang O. gentlemen rope
haulers get the best O. me. You hear
me7 You hear what I say, you -
pack O. poor mems dogs"
He took another walk along the
deck and returned. Dick glanced
over at the ensign to note the effect
Of this language on him; but his de-
jected fN-e was non-committal.
In all my goin' to sea" went on
the captain. his voice rising, II never
seen worse lot o beachcombers and
river-thieves. There amt a whole
man among you--there amt half a
man: but there's a murderin' scoun-
drel among you :hat want. Last
night, along bout six bells o the
middle watch. my FIRST oficer. all
tagged out from irwin to get sail on
a ship with a crew that don't know a
buntline from a sheet, was woke up
by a sneakin thief goin' through his
desk. Yes. sir-a sneakin'. bloody
minded thief that tried to kill him,
too, fore he got thoroughly woke
! up. Then he ran out on the deck
and forrard TO the rest o you. And
that pore man is down there groan-
In. with his arm broken at the ell
bow. while the murderin' thief that
sleeve. and wishin' he'd finished his
bloody work. Now, want that man
to step out and own up"
Not a man stirred They looked
at one another with inquiry in their
faces, then up at the their captain,
only to fall back. crouching, and
scattering to the right and left. with
involuntary raising Of arms to screen
their faces. Bilker had brought his
hands out OF his pockets. and in each
was a bright revolver
Shove him out" he thundered as
he leve!led the pistols. Give up that
lOw-down scoundrel. I'll show him
what he can do and what he can't do.
Quick. YOU - dock rats, or III
hurt some O. you"
Hold on, Cap'n," said Sawyer.
Are YOU the man? Come out
here"
mo, Cap'n, I'm not" said the sail
or. stepping bravely up to the poop
steps. I'm no thief, an Il was, I
wouldn't be fool enough--hold on,
sir; I wish you'd point 'em t'other
way. sir. They might go Off What I
want to say, Cap'n, II yell 'xcuse me,
Is that yer takin a mighty poor way
to get that thief. whoever he ia. Ye
begin by damnin' us all round, an
that naturally works men mp against
We. and then We pull yer guns. Now.
what mans goin' to own up in the
face o. threats O. being shot"
None O your back lip. Don't you
talk to me. Come up here on the
poop. swear think you know all
about IT,"
Sawyer assembled the steps, was
collared by Mr.. Jones. and hurled
against the forward cabin compan-
ion. near which he remained. with
the second officer watching him out
OF the corner OF his eye
where's that counter Jumper
who comes aft when works goin' on
swearin' he's an officer In the navy?"
demanded the captain. His eye wan
dered over the crowd and settled on
Mr.. Breen.
you the man." he inquired,
strengthening one pistol toward him.
1T might have been me, Sir" an
swered the ensign. mournfully.
please don't shoot me, sir. had
dreams. sir. ! have been drugged