The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-12

Iut a certain perceptible ironical m.
go kindly offered me the use of his jump
er. suggested the suspicion that perhaps
he was quietly amusing himself ana MS
shipmates az my expense, and that tns
hia management OF the boat than any
thing else. so l set myself quietly 10
watch.
founded The rascal. instead Of easing
the boat and meeting the heavier seas as
he ought 10 have done, wac sailing the
craft at top speed right through them,
varying the performance occasionally by
keeping the boat broad away when
squall struck her causing her 10 careen
until her gunwale went, over, and az a
natural consequence shipping great deal
OF water.
At length he rather overdid IT, a squall
striking the boat so heavily that before
he could luff and shake the wind out or
the sail she had filled 10 the thwarts.
thought for a moment that we were over,
and so did the crew OF the boat, who
Jumped 10 their feet in CONSERVATION.
Being an excellent swimmer myself, how
ever. / managed 10 perfectly retain my
sang -froid. whilst / also recognized In
the mishap an opportunity to take the
coxswain down peg or two.
Lifting my legs, therefore. coolly up on
the side seat out Of reach OF the water.
said:
How long have you been sailor, cox
Nigh on to seven year. sir Now then.
lads, dowse the sail smartiy and get TO
work with the bucket"
Seven years. have you" returned
placidly. "Then you ought 10 know how
To sail a boat by this time have never
yet been TO sea: but ] should be ashamed
20 make such a mess OF II as this"
To this my friend in the hear vouch-
safed not a word In reply, but from that
moment / noticed a difference In the be-
havior OF the men all round. They found
they had not got quite the greenhorn 10
deal with that they had first imagined.
When AT last the boat was freed Of the
water and sail once more made upon her,
remarked 10 the coxswain:
Now, Tom. II that is your name-you
have amused yourself and your shipmates
at my expense to your hearts content. /
hope-you have played off your little prac-
tical joke upon me. and bear no malice.
Bullet there be no more of lido you
understand"
LAY ay, sir; I underconstumbles, was
the reply. "and I'm right sorry now as /
did IL, sir, and ] axes your parding. sir;
that do. Dash my buttons, though, but
you're rare plucky young gentleman.
you are, sir, though says IT to your face.
And / hopes, sir, as how you won't bear
no malice again fe for just tryin a bit
TO see what sort o stun you was made Of,
as IL were?''
/ eased the poor fellows mind upon this
point, and soon afterwards we arrived
alongside the st. George
| found the first lieutenant. and duly
handed over my despatch. which he read
with n curious twitching about the cor
Having mastered the contents. he re-
tired below, asking me TO wait minute
or two.
At that moment my attention was at
tracted TO midshipman i'm the main rig
ging, who. with exaggerated deliberaton.
was making his unwilling way aloft, to
the masthead as IL turned out A GER
tain familiar something about the young
gentleman caused me to look up at him
more attentively; and then at once rec
ognized my recent acquaintance. Lord
FftZ-Johnes. At the same moment the
second lieutenant, who was cycling his
lordship somewhat wrathfully, hailed hin,
with:
Now then, Mr., Tomkins. are you going
10 be all day on your journey? Quicken
your movements, SIR. or ] will send a
boatswain's mate after you with ropes
end TO freshen your way. Do you hear.
sir7"
LAY, ay. sir" responded the ci-devant
Lord Fitz -Johnes-now plain Mr. Tomkins
lin n squeaky treble, as he made a feeble
momentsry show VI alacrity. Just then
caught his eye, and taking OF my hat,
made him an ironical bow Of recognition,
10 which he responded by pressing his
body against the rigging-psusing In his
ceremony. spreading his legs as widely
apart as possible, and extending both
hands toward me- the fingers outspread.
the thumb OF the right hand pressing
the thumb OF the left interlinked with
the right-hand little finger. This salut,
was made still more impressive by -
heightened slow and solemn twiddlng OF
the fingers. which was only brought 10
an end by the second lieutenant hailing:
Mr.. Tomkins. you will oblige me by
prolonging your stay at the masthead
until the end OF the afternoon watch II
you please"
AS the answering "Ay. ny. sir" came
sadly down from aloft ! felt touch on
my arm, and turning round. found my
pecond acquaintance. Lord Tomnoddy by
my side. AS I looked at him. felt strong
" inclined to ask him whether he also
had changed his name since our last
meeting.
"Oh. look here, Hawksblll" he com
menced. I'm glad you've come on board;
| wanted to see you in order that might
repay you the sovereign YOU lent us the
pther day. Here Il is"-selectlng the
roin from n handful which he pulled out
of his breeches pocket and thrusting Il
Into my hand-"and I am very much
obliged 60 you for the loan. I really
hadn't farthlng I'm my pocket at the
time or | wouldn't have allowed Tom
klns TO borrow it from you-and) II was
awfully stupid Of me TO let you 20 away
without saying where / could send II TO
you"
pray do not say anything further
about it MINT 81"
81 am Lord Southdown. at your service
mot Lord Tomnoddy ms my whimsical
friend Tomkins dubbed me the other day
III is perfectly true" he added some
what haughtily and then with
smile resumed: but suppose
| must not take offense at your look