Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-17
ouences-which was natural.
CHAPTER xxx.

tnAJ oI6TuoOu, una, tnOuBh WiSu'u
shouting distance of Mr.. Jones, he
was surprised at the absence OF any
comment or criticism from the off,
Ger, who, throughout the whole
watch, spoke harshly to the others.
Perhaps this was because he was do
ing his work properly--perhaps be-
cause Mr.. Jones and the carpenter
ate together at the second cabin ta-
Bile, and at dinner the latter had told
how Dick had ducked the cook. He
was strongly confirmed in the latter
guess when, from his door, where
the cook, half In and half out, de-
claimed to him with violent gesticu-
lation. Dick could not hear, but when
the angry black face, shiny with
soap, was turned up to him and a
grimy black forefnger pointed at
him, he had no doubt that he was
the subject of conversation. Mr..
Jones merely pushed the cook into
the galley and went away.
The storm had passed, and, though
the wind was still out of the west.
there was no chance for the sea to
rise very high 30 close TO land, and
the ship, with ell sail SGT, was rid
ing smoothly out to sea. It was ia
nous weather for work At three
bells the watch below was turned out
Ensign Breen going YEARLY back
to his woodpile and by supper time
the two anchors were slowed in
board, the cables sent below. with
tenders, mooring chains, gangway
davits and grating. and nearly all the
chatting gear was aloft and in place.
Through 1t all. Dick, working at sea-
manly tasks. looked down on his off,
Ger saving wood At first he felt an
ungenerouS pleasure, due to his bit
terness OF heart; then he wondered
at the ensign's courage In choosing
SO hard part, and at his fortitude
in playing II, and at last he felt an
honest, manly indignation. based
upon his training and respect for an
officer Of the navy. As he came down
to his supper a. three bells in the
first dog watch. the haggard look In
the ensign's face and his slow, DELHI
crate movements in piling the wood
he had sawed moved Dick to an ex-
plosive burst.
Say the word. sir" he said be-
tween his teeth as he halted before
him, "and I'll brain them botn with
a handspike. can do it--one at a
time"
: You cannot" answered Breen,
YEARLY. You might disable one, but
the other would shoot you. And II
you did succeed what then? An
archy among the men. That could
be quelled with powder and shot;
but the final resut-you would
hang, and | could not save you.
Leave IT to me. ! am working It out,
and they do not hang government
officers"
Dick went to supper. There was
some villainous tea, sweetened with
molasses, which he drank. and a
lump Of cold, fat. salt pork which
neither he nor he rest could touch.
The whole watch vented their feel
!ngs In profani'y, and vowed dire
vengeance on tao after guard; but
little of 1t found form or expression
except in Smith ayowed determine
ton to "bryke the blomin' stewards
fyce." and they supped as they had
dined--on bareback.
Work was done for tle day when
they stepped out at four bells. The
other watch had cleared up the deck,
and near the fore hatch Breen's
woodpile showed white and sym
metrical in the gathering gloom OF
the chilly evening. Dick sat upon it,
while his watchmates paced the deck
under the lee of the weather rail. In
short time the ensign came out
munching a biscuit AS he seated
himself by Dicks side there came a
sound from the galley. "Wheese
wheech,"
Hear that. Halpin-Billson,
mean" he said YEARLY. ITS been
going all afternoon It's for the car.
penter If 1t isn't for YOU. What made
you douse him with the soup!
You've made an enemy"
And friend, TOO, Mr.. Breen
Chips liked il, and I'm sure he
squared me with the second mate"
please drop the mister and sir
Try to remember, I'm wood saw
yer, as Chips called mo. and assist
ant to darkey cook. What do yol
think of my days work." Mr.. BreeI
looked proudly-as proudly as an ut
terly exhausted man may-at hi
handiwork. and lay down upon 1t
Tomorrow | mus split IT," he con
tinued. Abraham Lincoln WAS
rail splitter in his time, Wonder 1
he ever got as tired as I am?"
But why Is 1t necessary" asked
Dick. You are certainly the bes
man aboard--able to command TIT
ship, but not used to manual labor
Can't We drill 1t into the skipper
head?"
60 aft and try II you like; onl,
don't say | sent you. II | could &c
into that cabin and find loaded re
volver think | could convince him
but l see no other way. When In
able to move without pain shall tr
1t. The skipper stands watch now
and the first mates confined to hi
room; 30, with the steward asleer
the second mate asleep, and the skip
per on deck, there might be chanc
to sneak In through the forward com
panion and get his pistols.
Suppose | try It tO-night?"
mot tonight. 1t will need two @
n