Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-06-01

Hush up"' commanded the first
mate. Don't make a row. 'Tain't
nothin' serious, l guess Jest cusscd
fooliShness. Put him on the locker
there, YOU
This is what had happened: The
schooner was passing ont of the
| sound, and, as the night was black
and hazy, they were using the lead
frequently. The Thomas Doane had Il
high after deck, and TO reach the
waist one must descend Il five foot
| ladder. A sailor not too sober. had
! thrown the lead and in passing aft
with the line had fouled it mt the lad
der. Captain Titcomb, losing his tenn
per ut the mans clumsiness. had run
, toward him, tripped in the line and
pitched head first over the fellows
shoulder to the main deck. The sail
or'S body had broken the fall some
what, and the skull was not fractured
but it was bad enough.
The cook, who had helped bring the
captain into the cabin, fingered after
the first mate had gone. Bradley ques-
toned him about the accident.
"Thoma, he done it." said the cook.
"The line. she git mess up by tho
HE was drunk" broke in Bradley
Hes been drunk all the afternoon.
Isn't that SOP"
The cook looked hastily at the lad
der, then at the captain. Then nod
ding emphatically, he whispered:
"Ya-as, sir. They most all drunk. I
never seen so much drink on schooner
not on Cap'n Titcomb's schooner,
anyway, and / sail with him FOR five
year
But Bradley would not 90 to bed.
He was worried about the captain and
even more worried about the schooner.
He did not like Mr. Burke, and he was
by no means sure-judging by what he
had seen-that the mate knew how to
handle Il crew. About o'clock he de
cided to go on deck
Bradley leaned on the rail and look
ed over the water toward where the
shore should be- As he stood there
the haze blew aside for moment, and
he saw not more than two miles away
and ahead of the schooner the twinkle
of a light. Then it disappeared again
He walked aft. One of the new hands
was at the wheel, and there was a dis
tinct smell of rum in the vicinity.
who gave you that course?"
''Mr. Burke, sir"
Burke was standing by the fore
shrouds, looking over the side. He
started when Bradley touched his arm.
Excuse me, Mr.. Burke" said the
second mate. Where are we|'
'"Turned the Rip an hour or so ago"
Burke's tone was distinctly unpleas-
ant. what are you dom here"
Il couldn't sleep, so l came on deck
a minute. Isn't she pretty close in? |
thought | saw the Skallit light Just
now"
"Saw nothin'. Skallit lights away
off yonder Water enough here to float
a Cunarder What's the matter with
you? 'Fraid l amt on to my job?
When I want your help I'll ask for it,
I've sailed these waters when you
was a kid"
"Well, didn't mean to-
"Then shut up. You go below and
tend to the skipper
Bradley bit his lip and turned away.
If Burke was right, he had no bust
ness to Interfere; if he wasn't right,
the Thomas Doane was shaving the
shoals altogether too close. He. went
below. found Captain Titcomb sleep
ing quietly and little later came on
deck again TO lean on the rail amid
ships and once more stare at the fog
gy darkness.
A big figure loomed close beside
him. 1t was Swensen, and he obvioug-
'ly wanted to speak.
well, Swensen," said Bradley,
"what is IT,"
The SWede leaned forward and, shad,
ing his mouth with his hand. whtS-
pered hoarsely: Mr.. NccIlcrs0n, you
know bout the fust mate? He all
right? WHAT
Bradley bad been brought up to dis
courage familiarity with men before
the mast
What are YOU talking about?' he
asked sharply
'Nawtbin' sir. Only he know this
course? All see Skakit light twice yuSt
now and only mile n half off That
not 'nough-not here"
Are you sure you saw it,"
"Yas, sir"
Bradley turned away. He hated to
risk another snub from the mate. and
he fully realized the danger of interfer-
Ing with Il superior officer, but Captain
Titcomb was not in command and
here was Swensens testimony to back
his own that the schooner was running
too close to tile dangerous Cape Cod
beaches. The course she was on was
taking her still closer in, aud the fog
was growing thicker,
This time Burke was standing by
the man at the wheel. lie swore when
the second mate approached and snurl-
ed well. what's the matter now
Mr. Burke, are you sure that wasa't
the Skukt light | saw SWeusen ass
he's seen it twice and not more than q
mile and a half away, II that's So, we
are running into shoal water Hadn't
! better trv soundingst'