The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-11

mates In suitably cheerful frame OF
mind-adroitly changed the subject and
proceeded TO put me up 10 a few moves, ;"
as he expressed II. likely to prove useful
TO me in the new life upon which / was
about TO enter.
"And be sure, Mr. Dick" ne concluded
as we shot alongside the sloop. ''be sure
you remember always to touch your hat
when you steps In upon the quarter-dsk
of man-o-war. no matter whether tbs
your own ship or a stranger"
Paying the old fellow his fare. and part
ing with him with hearty shake of the
hand. j sprang UP the ships side, and
remembering Toms parting caution just
In the nick OF time-presenting myself in
due form upon the quarterback, where
the first lieutenant had posted himself
and from which he was directing the m1il-
titudinous operations then In Progress,
reported myself 10 that much-dreaded
official as "come on board to join"
He was a rather tall and decidedly hand
some man, with gentlemanly bearing
and a well-knt shapely-looking figure.
dark hair and eyes thick bushy whiskers
meeting under the chin. and clear
strong melodious voice, which, without
the aid OF a speaking trumpet he MADE
distinctly heard from one end OF the snip
TO the other As he stood there, in an easy
attitude with his hands lightly clasped
behind his back and his eye taking In, as
II seemed at a glance. everything that
was going forward he struck me as the
beau-ideal OF a naval officer. took
strong liking 20 him on the spot, AN in
stinctive prepossesslon which was after
wards abundanuy justified, for MT
Austin-that was his name-proved TO be
one OF the best officers IL has ever been
my good fortune 10 serve under
"Oh. you're come on board 10 join eh?'
ne remarked In response 10 my announce
ment. u suppose you are the young
gentleman about whom Captain Vernon
was speaking 10 me yesterday. What Is
your manner"
I told him.
"Ah! Hewkeeley! yes, that is the name
I remember now Captain Vernon told
me that although you have never been TO
sea as yet. you are not altogether a green
horn. What can you dor
'T can hand, reef, and steer, box the
compass. pull an oar, or sail boat; and
I know the name and place OF esery spar
sail and rope throughout the ship
Aha say YOU so? Then you Will prove
indeed valuable acquisition What Is
the name OF this roper'
The main-to top-gallant clewline," an
ewered casting my eye aloft 10 note the
lead OF the rope.
"Rightlr he replied with a smile. And
you have the true nautical pronunciation
also I perceive Mr.. Johnson"-to mas
ters mate who happened TO he passing at
the moment-"this is Mr.. Hawkesley.
Kindly take him under your wing and
induct him into his quarters in the MID
shipments berth, II you please. Don't stop
to stow away your things just now. Mr..
Hawkesley," he continued. II shall nave
an errand for you I'm a few minutes
Very we'll sir" / replied. And follow
ing my new acquaintance. first saw to
the hosting In OF my traps, and then
with them descended to the place which
was 10 be my home for so many months
to come.
This was a tolerably roomy but very
indifferently lighted cabin on the lower
or orlop deck, access to which was gained
by the descent OF a very steep ladder
The furniture was OF the most meager de-
scription, consisting only OF a very solid
deal table. two equally solid forms or
stools and a couple OF arm-chairs. one
at each end OF the table, all securely
lashed down 10 the deck. There was a
shelf with ledge along its front edge
and divisions TO form lockers extending
across the after-end OF the berth: and
under this hung three small bookcases
(Which / was given 10 understand were
private property and a mirror six inches
long by four inches wide, before which the
young gentlemen in number, in
cluding myself-and the two masters s
mates had to perform their toilets as best
they could. The fore and after bulk
heads of the apartment were furnished
with stout hooks to which to suspend our
hammocks which, by the bye, when
shng, left, l noticed but a very small
space on either side of the table; and de-
pending from a beam overhead there
hung a common horn lantern containing
the most attenuated candle / ever saw
TOY Inn In Ia nta
which was suspended over the center Of
the table. afforded, except at meal times
or other special ocasionsr rtha-sole illum-
ination OF the place. Although the ship
was new, and the berth had only been oc-
cupied few days, II was already per-
vaded by a very powerful odor of paint
and stale tobacco smoke, which made mo
anxious to quit the place with the least
possible delay.
Merely selecting a position, therefore.
for my chest, and leaving to the wretched
lad. whom adverse fortune had made the
attendant OF the place. the task OF LASH
Ing II down, j FASTENED on deck again,
and presenting myself once more before
the first lieutenant, announced that was
now ready to execute any commission
with which he might be pleased TO intrust
me.
Very WELL" said he. II want you to
Jake tne gig ana proceed on board the
st. George with this letter for the first
lieutenant OF that ship. Wait for an
answer, and II he gives you a parcel be
very careful how you handle II, as II
will contain articles OF very fragile
character which must on no account be
damaged or broken"
The gig was thereupon plped away, and
when she was In the water and her crew
in her | proceeded in my most stately
manner down the side and flung myself
In an easily negligent attitude into the
stern sheets.
felt at that moment exceedingly we'll
satisfied with myself. i had Joined the
ship but bare half-hour before; yet here
I was. singled out from the rest OF the
midshipmen as the Attest person to be
intrusted with an evidently important
mission. | forgot not only my father s
caution against vanity, but also my sor-
row at parting with him; my amour
propre rose triumphant above every other
feeling; the dlsagreeable lump In my
! throat subsidized. and with an unconscious
1 IA