The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-07-07
THE SUN
OVER THE SIDE

IhSulUu. <AS my oPPhcoSut aAU sOSAN NA-S
hand from the wheel, and gripped my
arm so tightly that was like to have
screamed with the pain OF 1t.
Jack" said he, IN q shaky voice,
"while you was away something pop
ped It's head mp, and looked over the
ships side."
You've been dreaming" said l. In
a voice which was very fair imita-
ton of Bills own.
Dreaming" repeated Bill, dream
ing! All, look there!"
He pointed with outstretched fin-
ger, and my heart seemed to stop
beating as saw a mans head appear
above the side. For a brief space 1t
peered at us in silence, and then a
dark figure sprang like cat on to
the deck, and stood crouching short
distance away.
A mist came before my eyes, and
my tongue failed me, but Bill let on
roar, such as / have never heard be-
fore or since. It was answered from
below, both aft and for'ard, and the
men came running up on deck just as
they left their beds.
What's up" shouted the skipper,
glancing aloft.
For answer, Bill pointed to the In.
truder, and the men, who had just
caught sight of him, came up and
formed compact knot by the wheel.
Come over the side, 1t did," painted
Bill, come over like ghost out OF
the sea-"
The skipper took one OF the small
lamps from the pinnacle, and, holding
1t aloft, walked boldly up to the cause
of alarm. In the little patch Of light
we saw CHASTITY black-bearded man,
dripping with water, regarding us
with unwinking eyes, which glowed
red in the light Of the lamp.
Where did you come from" asked
the skipper.
The figure shook It's head.
Where did you come from?" he re-
peated, walking up, and laying his
hand on the others shoulder.
Then the intruder spoke, but In q
strange fashion and In strange words.
We leaned forward to listen, but.
even when he repeated them, we
could make nothing of them.
Hes a furriner," said Roberts.
"Blest IL I've ever card the lingo
afore." said Bill. Does anybody
rekernize III"
Nobody did, and the skipper. after
another attempt, gave It UP, and fall
ing back upon the universal language
OF signs, pointed first to the man and
then to the sea. The other under
stood him, and, in heavy. slovenly
fashion. portrayed q man drifting In
an open boat, and clutching and clam
bering up the side Of passing ship.
AS his meaning dawned upon us, we
rushed to the stern, and, leaning over,
peered into the gloom, but the night
was dark, and we saw nothing.
WELL" said the skipper, turning to
Bill, with a mighty yawn, take him
below. and give him some grub, and
the next time gentleman calls on
you. don't make such q COMPOUNDED
row about It."
He went below, followed by the
mate, and after some slight hesita-
ton, Roberts stepped up to the intru.
der, and signed to him to follow. He
came stolidly enough, leaving trail
Of water on the deck, and, after
changing into the dry things we gave
him, fell to, but without much appear
ance OF hunger, upon some salt beef
and biscuits, regarding Us between
bites with black, lack-lustre eyes.
He seems as though he's a-waIk-
Ing In his Sleep" said the cook.
He amt very hungry" said one OF
the men; me seems to humble his
food"
Hungry" repeated Bill, who had
just left the wheel. Course he amt
famished. He had his tea last night"
The men stared at him in bewilder-
ment
Don't you seer" said BilI. stili IN q