The Carlisle independent., 1907-11-14
One of the officers

sea serpent One of the officers said:
 'Cap'n. I wish you'd let me take charge of the expedition
 Who would look out for the ship?' asked the old man.
 "'Why, pardon me, cap'n, I could go in your place.
 Then I heard Cap'n Cushing laugh the sort of laugh that says: T guess you don't know me.
 No, no, said the cap'n. You have deal harder to stay behind, and that's why I choose you to do it. I know I'm selfish, but I 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 wish to speak with him, and ask Acting Masters Mate Howorth to come into the cabin
 Then I knew that he was in for something desperate, for those were two as plucky officers as we had on board the old Monticello. l couldn't really say with justice that they were the most plucky, for there wasn't a pins point, it seemed to me, to choose between any of 'em.
 Well, I stood and listened Of course I knew it wasn't right, but was bound to find out what they were up to. I heard the officer who had | been urgin' that he might go along rise and sigh and go out of the door, | Later, when 1 crept back to my sta- tion, I saw him walkin' up and down, up and down and lookin' on the deck and shakin his head, and I heard him say: Just my luck! Just my luck!' From this you can see how many 1 skeery ones there was in the ship. Tn a moment Acting Ensign Jones was in the cabin, and shortly after MT. Howorth followed him. The en- sign was out of breath
 70, cap'n,' he said, hope you're going to take me-
 ""Take you where?' asked the old man. I could hear the smile in his voice.
 Wherever you're going, cap'n. I know something's up, sir. I can't say what-Tll-do, but, Tll-Pll-'
 There was silence. I peeked in through the port. There was MT. Howorth standin', his mouth working sideways like a dingey in the trough of 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- lieve I should boo-hoo over the rail, too, if somehow or other I didn't get onto that boat.
 "'Of course, you're going said the cap'n, and now whom shall we take along?'
 The mems names were discussed There's so and so, and there's so and so Finally they mentioned me. My heart actually stopped beating.
 "'Well, they're all good fellows, said the old man.
 Suppose we call for volunteers, said one of the officers. ""They'd all volunteer, every man Jack of 'em,' said the old man. No, shall have to select some The trou- ble is that those on board will feel it a personal matter if they are left behind
 q nearly put my head into the port and shouted: Take mel but I knew that such breach of discipline would land me in the brig, with no going ashore for a week, perhaps, so I crept back to the fo'c'sle and waited
 By and by I saw the bos ms mate come aft and call man from below Then he called another and another But I didn't hear my name. As each mans name was spoken the rest looked down-hearted enough, but kept their eyes fixed on the bos'n's mate, hoping theirs would be the next name At last all were called. Then the bos'ns mate began to walk away, the men following him. C "'Oh!' I said, is that all?'
 "'That's all, my lad,' said the mas i ter-at-arms.
 'T tailed on to the line and walked up with the others That's where considered myself just leetle smart CT than the rest of 'em. The men were marched up to the mast, where the cap'n and the first lieutenant stood.
 "'My men, said the cap'n., I'm go- ing ashore on a rather dangerous ex- petition tonight Do you want to go?'
 "'Aye, aye, sir said every man, and I among them. Who told you to come, young ster? said the bos'n's mate to me.