New-York tribune., 1906-11-18
Copyright by W. W. Jaoobs)

AT hsh-past o'clock the crew OF the Norman
were buried IN sluber. and s:32 o'clock three of
the members were awake with heads protruding
out Of their hunks. trying to peer through the
gloom willis the fourth dreamed that tea tray
was falling down a ending staircase On
the floor OF the forecastle something cursing
prett;ly and rubbing itself.
Did you ear anything. Tedr'' inquired voice
In an interval Of silence.
Who is ttf" demanded Ted ignoring the ques-
tion. "Wot dyer want?"
IN let him know who am" said a thick and
angry voice. I've broke my olarsted back"
Light the lamp. Bill" said Ted
Bill stuck a tandsticker match, and carefully
nursing the tiny sulphurous flame with his hand
saw dfnnly some high oolored object the floor.
He got out OF his bunk and lit the lamp and an
angry and very drunken member OF her majesty's
foot forces became visible.
'Wot are you dom 'ere7'' inquired TED, sharply,
''this amt the guardroom."
who knocked over?' demanded the soldier
sterniy; take your co-coat off lik' man.
He rose TO his feet and swayed unsteadily to and
FRO.
'If you keep your n'r eads STILL" he said gravely
10 Bill, 'I'Il punch EN-
BY stroke OF good fortune he selected the real
head, and gave II blow which sent It crashing
against the woodwork. For moment the seaman
stood gathering his scattered senses. then with
oath he sprang forward. and in the Lgftest OF
fighting trim waited until his adversary who
gained his feet.
Hes drunk Bill" said another voice, don't
'urt i'm. He's chap wot said e coming
aboard TO mel met I'm in the Green Man this
evening. You was coming to see me, mate, wasn't
your
The soldier looked up stupidity, and gripping hold
OF the injured Bill by the shirt, staggered to his
feet again. and advancing toward the last speaker
let fly suddenly in his face.
- Sort I am" he said, autobiographicaliy
Feel my arm"
The indignant Bill took him by both. and throw
ing himself upon him suddenly fell with him to
the floor. The intruder's head the boards with
a loud crash and then there silence.
You amt killed i'm, Bil?" said old seaman
STOPPING over him anxiousy.
Course not" was the reply; give US some
water"
Fe threw some In the soldiers face and then
poured some down his neck, but with result
Then he stood upright. and exchanged glances Of
CONSERVATION with his friends.
"I don't like the way he's breathing" he safd In
trembling voice.
"You always was pertikler, Bill" said the cook.
who had thankfully got TO the bottom of his stair
| case. IF l you
He not allowed to proceed any further;
T. footsteps and voice heard above. and as
old Thomas hastily ex;ingushed the lamp the
mates head thrust down the scuttle and the
mates voice sounded profane reveille.
'Wot goin' 10 DO with it? inquired Ted.
the mate walked away.
I'm. Ted said Bill, nervously Hes alive all
right
IF we put i'm ashore an 'e's dead" said old
Thomas ''there'u be trouble for somebody. Better
let I'm be. and If 'e's dead. why don't Of
US know nothing about IT.
The up deck, and Bill, being the last
10 leave, put boot under the soldiers head before
he left Ten minutes later they under way,
and. standing about the deck. discussed the situa-
ton in thrilling whispers opportunity offered.
At breakfast. by which time they in a dirty
tunbling sea. with the More lightship. brown.
forlorn looking object their BEAM the soldier
who had breathing stertorously, raised his
heavy head from the boot and with CLASSY eyes
and tightly compressed lips. gazed wonderingly
about him.
'"wot cheer mater" said the delighted Bill. low
goes it?"
Where am u" inquired Private Harry pI,ss IN
q weak voice.
Brig Norman" satd Bill; bound for Byster-
mouth"
We'll I'm damned" said Private Bliss; its a
blooming miracle Open the winder. IT'S bit stufry
down here Who-who brought me here?"
"You come TO last night" said Bob "an'
fell down, s'pose; then you punched Bill ERE in
the and in the tor.'
Mr. Bliss. still feeling very sick and faint turned
TO Eli. and after critically slancing the eye
turned him for inspection transferred his re-
CARDS 10 the other mans Jaw
I'm a devil when I'm boozed." he said IN a
satisfied voice. We'll / must get ashore: 7 shall
get cells for this I expect"
he staggered to the ladder. and with unsteady
haste gained the deck and made for the side
The heaving waters made him giddy 10 look at
and he gazed for preference & thin line OF coast
stretching away IN the distance
The startled mate, who steering, gave him
& hail, but he made reply. A little fishing boat
was jumping about in way TO make a seasick
mar crazy, and he closed his eyes with eroan
Then the skipper. aroused by the mates hail
came UP from below, and walking up 10 him put
heavy hand his shoulder.
what are you doing aboard this ship? he de-
manded, austerely
go away, sad Private Bliss. family; take
your paw OF my tunic; you'll spoil IT"
lie chung Iniserabiy 10 the side leaving the in
censed skipper TO demand explanations from the
crew Inc crew knew nothing about him and
sAio ina, ne must have slowed himself away In an
empty bunk: the skipper pointed out coarsely that
uhere Were no empty hunks. whereupon Bill said
that he had not occupied his the previous evening
but had fallen asleep sitting on the locker and
had injured his eye against the corner of hunk ,r
consequence In proof whereof he produced the
eye.
Look here, old man." said Private RIiss who
suddenly felt better. He turned and matted the