The Washington times., 1906-12-09

out he took no notice, and e never
spoke 10 the skipper unless he spoks
to i'm fust.
We got 70 Melbourne at last, and
the fust thing the skipper did was 10
give our young lady some money 10 .go
ashore and buy clothes with. He aid
It IN very deliHit way by giving her
the pay as boy. and I don't think
ever see anybody look so pleased and
surprised as she did. The skiDper
went ashore with her, as she looked
rather odd figure to be going about.
and comes back about a hour later
without 'er.
thought perhaps shed have come
aboard he ses 70 Mr.. Fisher. I
managed TO miss her somehow while
was waiting outside a shop
They ndgeted about a BIT. ana man
went ashore 20 look for 'er. turning
up again at s o'clock quite worried.
Nine o'clock came. and there was no
signs OF 'er. Mr.. Fisher and Mr.. Scott
was in dreadful state, and the skin
per sent almost every man aboard
ashore 70 search for 'sr. They united
for 'er higa ana low. I'D and down
and around about. and turned I'd AZ
midnight so done up that hey could
Rrdly stand without holding on 10
something. and so upset that they
couldn't speak. None OF the officers
got any sleep that night except AEr.
Jackson. and the fust thing IN ne
morning they was ashore aEin look
ing for her
Shed disappeared as completely a.
II she'd gone overheard. and more than
one OF the chaps looked over the side
half expecting TO see 'sr come float
ing by. By L o'clock most OF us was
convinced that she'd been made away
with. and Mr. Fisher made some r.
marks about the police OF Melbourns
as would hR' done them good 10 hear.
7 was Just going 10 see about din
ner when We got the fret news or
her. Three or the most miserable
and solemn-Iooking captains I've ever
q
few words with our skipper. They all
stood IN row looking es n they
was going to cry
Good morning. Captain Hart sss
one OF EN-. a. cur old man came Up
with the mate.
Good morning ses he.
% Do you know this?' ses one OF
'em. suddenly. holding out Miss Nal
lows dressing gown on a walking
stick.
Good 'eavens.' ses the skipper. !
hope nothing's happened to that pore
gal
The three captains shook their
heads all together.
She is no more ses another OF
'em.
How did 1t happen? ses the skip
per. in a low voice
She took this or. ses the first
captain. shaking his head and pointing
to the dressing-gown.
And took a chill? ses the skipper.
staring very ard.
The three captains shook their 'eads
aEln. and 7 noticed that they seemed TO
watch each other and do ct all to-
gether.
"T don't understand ses the skip
per
ct vas afraid you wouldn't ses
the first captain; she took this on
SO you said before ses the skip
per rather short
And became boy ag!n,' ses ths
other; the wlckedest and most artful
young rascal that ever signed on with
me.
He looked round al the others. and
they all broke out into a perfect roar
OF laughter. and jumped up and down
and slapped each other on the back.
as IF they was all mad. Then they
asked which was the one wot had is
cars boxed. and which was Mr.. Fisher
and which was Mr.. Scott. and told our
skipper what a. nice fatherIy man he
was Quite a crowd got round. an
wouldn't go ava FOR al We could do
to en- I'm the shape o buckets o.
water and Jumps o. coal. We was the
Iaughiug-stJ, "a e. the place. and the
way they carried on when the steamer
passed ms two days later with the FIRST
captain on the bridge. pretending not
to see that IMP Of hoy standing IN
the bows blowing ITS kisses and drop
ping curtsias nearly put the skipper
out of is mind H
Copyright. 1901. Jy D0dd. Mead & CO..