The Washington times., 1907-01-13

old my coat, Charlie. and III split
i'm in halves
Charlie took the coat Ike q lamb.
though ne was Toms pal. and Tom
looked round 10 see whether he
couldn't nip up the ladder and get
away. but Bill was Just IN front Of Il.
Then Tom found OUT that one OF IS
bOotlaces was undone. and he knelt
down 10 do II up. and this young or
binary seaman, Joe simms by name.
put his cad out OF HIS bunk and he
ses. quiet-like.
d" You amt afraid OF that thing,
mate. are your"
'Wot? screams BIZ. starting.
Don't make such noise when I'm
speaking. ses joe where's your
manners you great 'ulklng rascal?
Il thought Bin would ma dropped
with surprise al being spoke 70 Ike
that. His face was purple all over
and e stood staring ar Joe as though
e didn't know wot 10 make OF i'm.
And we stared too. Joe being a small
ish sort o. chap and not looking at all
strong.
Go easy. mate. whispers Tom;
you don't know who you re taking
to
q" 'Bosh.' ses Joe. hes no good. He's
too Fat and too silly to 90 any arm.
He shan't 'urt YOU while Pm ere
"He just rolled out OF rs bunk and,
standing IN front Of Bill. put is fists
up at I'm and stared i'm straight n
the eve.
&c You touch that man. he sss.
quietly. pointing 10 Tom. and I'll give
you such a dressing down a. you've
never 'ad before Mark my words.
now
&c 7 wasn't going to II him, sss Bill.
in a strange. mild voice
% You'd better not, ses the young
'un. shaking his FIST at I'm; you'd bet
ter not. my lad. IF there's any lighting
TO be done IN this fo'c'sle I'll DO Il
Mind that
Its no good me saying we was
staggered; beeOs staggered amt no
word for II. To see Bill put rs hands
in is pockets and try and whistle and
then sit down on q locker and scratch
IS head. was the most amazing thing
I've ever seen. Presently e begins TO
sing under his breath.
Stop that 'ummiHg, ses Joe; when
I want you 10 'um. I'll tell YOU
'Bin left Of 'umming. and then he
gives a little cough behind the back
OF is and. and. arter hdgeung about
a bit with Is feet. went up on deck
again.
'Strewth.' ses Tom. looking round
at US. ave We shipped a blOomin'
prize fighter
"'wot did you call msT sss Joe.
looking AT i'm.
&c Nothing. mate. ses Tom. draw
ing back.
e You keep a quiet tongue in your
ed ses Joe. and speak when you're
spoken 10, my lad
He IVES a ordinary seaman, mind
talking 10 A. BIS like that. Men who'd
been up aIoft and doing their little biz
when e was going about catching cold
in IS petticuts. SIN. II Bill could
stand it. we supposed as wa better,
'Bill stayed up on deck TIL we was
under way. and Is spirit seemed 70 be
broke He went about Is work like
man wot was walking IN 'iE sleep, and
when breakfast come . 'ardly tasted
H.
Zoe made a splendid breakfast. and
when he'd finished = went 70 Bill's
bunk and said . was going 70 ave Il
for himself And Bill sat there and
took II all quiet. and by-and-by he
Joes bunk without q word.
1T was the most peacsru day We
'ad ever ad down that fo'o'Eie. BIZ
usually being In IS tantFums the fust
day or two at sea, and wanting to
know why ed been born. II you
talked You was noisy and Worrittngs
and II you didn't talk you was Eulkyi
but this time e sat quite still and
didn't interfere bit. II was such
CONTINUED on Eleventh PaseJ
paSa Five