The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-02-13

1t was odd advice rom a mate, but,
as Bradley could see. to his astonish-
ment, there was no need of telling Cap
tain Tltcomb. 1t was plain enough
| that the latter knew his crews cOndi-
ton and deliberately ignored it. Men
stumbled past him, and he looked the
other way. Simple orders were bun
gled and he did not reprove. Only
once that evening did his wrath blaze
out In the old manner. A sailor was
ordered by him to do something and,
instead of the dutiful AYE. aye, sir"
he replied with a muttered curse.
The next instant Captain Ezra's fist
was between his eyes. and he fell. to
,e jerked to his feet again and back
10 the rail with the shippers hand
twisted in his shirt collar.
"Hang your said the captain be-
tween his teeth. "I'll-I swear ZIP
Mr.. Burke came running and whis-
pered eagerly in his commanders ear.
Captain Titcomb's arm Strengthened,
and the sailor was thrown across the
deck.
Go for'ard," roared the skipper,
land If you want to live you keep out
Of my sight! 1 can't help it, Burke.
I've got some self respect left ylt."
That was ALL and Bradley wondered.
Under such circumstances accidents
were bound to occur. But the one that
did occur was serious. Bradley was
below when it happened. He usually
took the first watch, but tonight Cap
tain Titcomb said he would take It,
and Mr.. Burke would stay up with him
for awhile. So the second mate turn
ed in. He was awakened by racket
on deck and the sound of voices and
footsteps on the companion ladder
Opening his stateroom door, he saw
four men descending the ladder, car
rying a fifth In their arms.
whats the matter?" asked Bradley.
who's hurtT
ITS the skipper" replied one Of the
men In frightened voice. HE fell
and hurt his head. He
Bradley sprang into the cabin and
saw Captain Titcomb unconscious and
with the blood running from an ugly
cut on his forehead
For Gods sake"- he began, but
was interrupted by Burke, who, with
a very white face, was descending the
ladder.
Hush upw commanded the first
mate. Don't make a row. 'Tain't
nothln' serious, 1 guess. Jest cussed
foolishness. Put him on the locker
there, you"
This is what had happened The
schooner was passing out of the
sound. and, as the night was black
and hazy, they were using the lead
frequently. The Thomas Doane had
high after deck, and TO reach the
waist one must descend a FIVE foot
ladder. A sailor, not too sober, had
thrown the lead and in passing aft
with the line had fouled II at the lad
der. Captain Tltcomb, losing his tenn
per at 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 II 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 the
"He- was drunk" broke in Bradley.
He's been drunk all the afternoon.
Isn't that 500"
The cook looked hastily at the lad
der, then at tire captain. Then. nod
ding emphatically. he whispered:
"Ya-as, sir. They most all drunk.
never seen so much drink on schooner
not on Cap'n Titeomb's schooner,
anyway. and I sail with him for FIVE
year"
But Bradley would not go 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 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 a moment, and
he saw not more than two miles away
and ahead of the schooner the twinkle
Of a light. Then it disappeared again
lie walked aft. One of the new hands
was at the wheel, and there was a dis
tinct smell of rum i'm 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 weT"
Turned the Rip an hour or so ago"
Burke's tone was distinctly unpleas-
ant What are you dom here?"
81 couldn't sleep so l came on deck
a minute. Isn't she pretty close in? /
thought l saw the Skakit light just