Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-24

Men," he said solemuly, we're
mustered here to give the cook a
send-off 'cordin' TO rule-not as how
can see as It's goin' to do him any
good-it seems to me that II prayin'
could do him any good, 1t oughter
have come long fore he died Same
with the carpenter, who's some miles
astern now. Just the same, III read
the sarvice for both OF EN-, and
which ever OF 'em 1t Ats the best
why. I suppose. will get 1t, First
thing. though. before we get rid o
the cook. Wen fiji his place" Dick
pricked mp his ears.
Now. you, there" continued the
captain, you big-headed, fool-head-
ed lobster, that thinks he's second
mate, you get into that room o
yours, and you get your buds out Of
1t and into the cooks room. while
I'm lookin' at you. You hear? Not a
word! You're cook O. this ship from
now on, or you go In irons in the
tween deck. What dye say now"
The captain drew revolver from
his pocket, and placed It upon the
Bible Dick heard muffled words
| from the main deck, but nothing In
telligible. Then he saw the captain
replace the pistol in his pocket.
| That's sensible" he continued
Lets see you keep It up. Go IN
there. one o. you, and give him
hand with his chest"
| Captain Bilker began pacing tho
poop, and ten minutes went by before
he spoke again then he advanced to
the rail, opened the Book, paused
while he took off his hat and
damned it into his coat pocket. and
read chapter chosen at random.
Finishing, he closed the Book. put
on his hat, and waved his hand to
those below.
"Over with him." he said. and
then stepped to the rail-
One end Of the canvas sack circled
into view over the edge of the poop.
as the body shot through the gang
way, and Dick heard the splash.
The cooks funeral was over.
"Gawd," said the captain, peering
over the side. "Reg'lar belly-gut
dive"
Whether It was this remark. the
grtsly incongruity OF the whole pro-
ceeding, or a sort OF hysteria COM
ing after his night of fatigue, with
an unsupported sense of relief at the
removal OF Pigs and the cooks men
ace as prompting agency, that
brought 1t on, Dick never could de-
termine. Re began 10 laugh. softly
but unconstrainedly; and when Cap
tain Bilker came aft. Bible IN hand,
and glared reprovingly at him, he
still continued.
What's the matter VII you?" he
demanded.
"N-n-nothing. sir" answered Dick,
flushing
Yes, there is somethin'. tell yer.
Somethin' up yer sleeve, damn We,
stormed the captain. And I'm dead
on to you, my fo'castle lawyer.
You're slick, but I'm slicker. You
grin In my face, will yer? I'll see I
my first mate sin't right, after all
Mr.. Thorpe" he bawled forward
call all hands aft again" Then he
returned to the break of the poop,
and Dick, sober of face now. with no
inclination to laughter, bore the NAL
evolent glances Of the insulted auto
crat, as he paced back and forth
while waiting for the men.
The starboard watch trooped out Of
the forecastle from their interrupted
breakfast, and joined the others or
their way aft. The captain looked
down on them.
"Ive given you men a good lont
time 70 produce the one that broke
Mr.. Thorpe's arm" he said. Time
up. Pass him out at once, or bach
We go TO yer first grub"
Dick heard an indistinct voice an
swering, and then, from the captain
Yell tell me on the poop, hey
What's the matter wi tellin' where
ye are? Hey? All right. Come III
here, then, and no games"
Smith, the cockney, arose Il
Dicks view on the steps, and hi
,, voice became intelligit<a.
Hive talked TO hall 'ands for
rard, sir, hand we're hall hagreed
though that's not SYN we can prov
hit, sir. But hall Of hus think ha
, 'ow 1t was the man you took hat
. has hofficer. He was quick to den
: hit forrard, sir. but he was Just ha
quick to swear hit wasn't Bilison
when the mate thought hit was. Il
knowed who hit was, sir; hit wa
ITSELF, hand all 'ands think so. sir.
"That'll do. Get down of tn
, poop" said the captain. Mr.. Saw
= YER" be called, step up here"
Smith went down, and Sawye
soon appeared, following CAPITAL
l. Bilker aft through the alley.
- Mr.. Sawyer" said the latter, fac
;, Ing him, THE men accuse you G
bein' tho man who broke into n
, mates room first night out, I've mad
you second mate. and SO far, I've
fault to find WI you: but want thi
y settled. Did you? Or was It th'
: man here' l want the truth, now
y Sawyer looked at Dick, and Their
:. WAS the barest suspicion OF wink
! his humorous eye; then he locke
y graveH and respectfully into tn
y captains face.
= 1T was me, cap'n," no answered
4 You. was II? And why didn
you own up to ~"
q Didn't want TO get shot Q
\. al