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

CHAPTER XXXv.
In this frame OF mind he went to
when, at three bells, the cooks rasp-
ing voice had appraised the watch
that 1t was ready Perhaps It was
because Dick was the nearest man to
the galley that the cook placed the
coffee pot on the brick flooring far
enough from the door to compel a
man reaching for 1t to step over the
sill. Perhaps It was accidental.
Dick entered the galley bodily, one
foot following the other over the sill,
and as he stopped for the coffee pot
he heard snarl from the cook at the
stove amtdships, and: Get out o my
galley. you no-'count trash. Wha' you
come in my galley fo'?" Then he re-
ceived on his breast and shoulders
the contents OF a half-gallon pot
which had rested on the stove con-
venient to the cooks hand when he
entered. It was boiling hot salt
water. and little Of It splashed his
cheek.
With a furious cry OF pain and
rage he shrunk back. then-ethical
distinctions flown to the winds
bounded across the galley after the
cook. who picked up his knife on the
way and reiterated. still cursing. to
the other door. Here Dick caught
him: he wrsuched the knife from
his hands and tossed 1t away; then.
frantic with pain, he g1pped the
| black throat and squeezed to silence
the vindictive voice-and remem-
bered himself He must not kill.
Then came the thought that In this
passion ne had seen no red. and again
! he gave rein to his rage; but he SIM
ply held the inert cook by the col
lar. and with his free fist pounded his
face until 1t lost most Of its human
characteristics, He was interrupted
by Sawyer, who caught his hand.
what for. Billson7" he asked.
"scalded me-" answered Dick.
choking with pain. "Scalded me for
stepping into the galley after the
coffee. Feel my shirt-it's hot yet. ="
Sawyer investigated,
You'll be all Of blister. Let go
the Niger. Get some paint oil out O
the locker, and rub yerself. III SEQ
the old man and tell him bout this
business when he turns out"
The negro sputtered a parting
threat at Dick as he skunk to his
stove, and Sawyer supported Dick to
the forecastle, for he was still weak
from the loss Of blood he had suf-
fered the day before. Here his watch
mates, who had secured the coffee,
assisted in removing his shirt and
amounting his blistered shoulders
with oil. He did rot replace the
shirt. for, though the oil relieved the
smarting. still there was enough OF
agony in the mere pressure OF a
passing breath of air to make him
wish for death itself, rather than
He sat on q chest and drank his
coffee, and when the others had
nled out to begin washing down the
deck he still sat there. waiting fol
the captain to turn out. when, In hu'
manity's name alone, he could ex
pect relief from the medicine chest
But he reckoned without Mr.. Thorpe
who appeared at the door Just aftel
four bells had struck.
Your WHEEL" he asked in a quie
voice.
yes. SIR" answered Dick, a,
evenly as was possible.
Come out and take It. You're to'
fond OF this forecastle. It's harde
to got You out to your work than t
run the ship. I've given you tim
enough to Ak yourself up. Now. GU
o. this"
"All right, SIR" said Dick. stand
ing up and reaching for his shirt
, He was pltiable object. with hi
haggard face contracted In pain ant
his naked. blistered shoulders shiv
. ering with cold and the agony o
. each movement; but there was n
, pity In the mild blue eyes looking q
him. and he knew better than to ap
peal. He drew the shirt over hi
head and adjusted 1t, while invol
uANSAy "AooAAh6 $780,
through his tightly locked teeth,
, That's a little man." sneered tn
mate. Nov. don't cry this time
and NEXT voyage you must bring you
: mamma to sea with you, Put O
. your little coat and your little cal
: and come along"
' And thus DICK was taught tn
= standard Of fortituda required OF tn
!. American merchant sailor. He d.
: not asnimilate tho lesson at onoe-h
!. WAS suffering too much, but "A b
q stssrsd hts trick In bodily tormsn
A enough OF a ,dogsed, helpless fuy
entered his soul 10 prevent hia AL
. ing the captain for rsznedias, An
= whan the captain, ill-humered D.
!. fore hts breakfast, eahtsmptueusl
Il atared him over IN rsap0nss 10 8av
- yer's earnest explanation Of the 60