The Brinkley argus., 1907-11-15

First we saw the old man get in the gig and pull over to the flag ship, askin' permission, maybe, and then, along about night, l saw that there seemed to be some sort of con sultation and talk among the officers. asked the signal Quartermaster what was up, and he answered me politely that could go and ask the capn. Then asked the orderly who was round the cabin door to run errands and messages. He told me to go right in the cabin and ask the cap'n, and probably he'd tell me all about it. Then I asked an afterguard-sweeper what all the rumpus was, and he said he was darned if he knew, but he thought they was gettin' ready to go a-fishin'. We'll, l felt pretty we'll snubbed, and by an afterguard-sweep- CT, too!
 ''So I watched and waited and pre- tended had work to do around the cabin. went aft and hung around the port I heard Cap'n Cushing talk ing with some of his officers, and I found that they were goin somewhere. but from their talk I judged that If they were gOin' a-fishin' 1t must be for something as big as whale or sea serpent. one of the officers said:
 "sCap'n, wish you'd let me take charge of the expedition
 Who would look out for the shipg asked the old man.
 Why, pardon me, cap'n, could go in your place.
 Then heard Cap'n Gushing laugh -the sort of laugh that says: I guess you don't know me.
 No, mo- said the cap'n. You have your work to do here. It's a great deal harder to stay behind. and that's why choose you to do it. I know I'm selfish. but always was in a case like this, and you'll just have to put up with it. Orderly!'
 T heard the orderly come running aft.
 Tell Acting Ensign Jones that I wish to speak with him, and ask Acting Masters Mate Howorth to come into the cabin.
 Then knew that he was in for something desperate, for those were two as plucky officers as we had on board the old Monticello. I couldn't really gay with justice that they were the most plucky, for there wasn't a pins point, 1t seemed to me. to choose between any of 'em.
 We'll, I stood and listened Of course knew 1t wasn't right, but I was bound to find out what they were up to. heard the oficer who had been urgin' that he might go along rise and si6h and 50 out of the door. Later. when I crept back to my sta ton, saw him walkir' up and down.. up and down and lookin on the deck and shakin' his head, and heard him say: Just my luck! Just my luck! From this you can see how many skeery ones there was in the ship.
 Tn moment Acting Ensign Jones was in the: cabin, and shortly after Mir. Howorth followed him. The en- sign was ont of breath
 70, cap'n.' he said. I hope you're going to take me.
 'rate you where?' asked the old man. I could hsar the smile in his voice.
 { 'WEherevsr you're going. cap'n. know something's up. sir. can't say what H. do. but, fll-Tll-
 There was silence I peeked in through the port. There was Mir. Huworth standin', his mouth working llfleways like dingey in the trough H the sea, and actually. if you'll be- lieve me, his eyes were full of tears. He might have known he was goin', and cryin'. Dang me. if I didn't be- lieye I sahould boo.hoo over the rail, too. If somehow or other didn't get onto that boat
 Of course, you're going.' said the cap'n, and now whom shall we take RlongT
 The mems names were discussed. There's 90 and SO, and there's 70 and so. Finally they mentioned me. My heart actually stopped beating.
 We'll. they're all Go0d 'fsll0ws, said the old man.
 Suppose we call for vullnteers.' Inid one of the oficerss
 They'd all volunteer. every man. v6ak v 'sm. ssid the o!e eR Ne,