The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-01-31

looking mariners that had ever been
seen I'm the harbor OF Papcete. and his
ship was totally unlike those that had
sailed into that port for many years.
Capt. Peabody was long and thin.
| He had "A raklsh. red chin beard. and
he had a knowing look In his wicked
blue eyes. He was dubbed Uncle
Sam" by the few French people TINT
had seen the pictures OF our national
hero, and he was accordingly distrusi-
ed. His ship was always AN object of
universal dispute. What was she doing
there, and why she came. Mas the sub
jcct OF discussion all over the port and
| from the officials To the pretty. stout
water front all were alike interested
/ In the Yankee and his vessel.
In fact. the Raritan was n survival of
| the old Salem tea clippers, and had
been laid up on the South Boston fats
for many "A decade after the advent of
the ocean vessel. and had been pur-
chased by a small syndicate for advcn-
turous trading I'm the south seas.
Capt. Peabody's crew was as Singh
lar az the skipper. They seemed tn
have been culled from every race on
| the face OF the globe. and no two could
speak the same tongue.
As far as anybody knew. Capt. Pea
body's mission In Tahiti seemed To bc
To lounge along the water front. DROP
In ut the Club Bougainville. drink any
thing and everything. and then drift
across the street and stare Mt the prci-
/ ~ woman who was selling toys and
American candy.
Now, as one-haif OF Papecte In en-
gagged In trying To do the business OF
the other half. the captain OF the Rari-
tan furnished much talk and worry TO
the kindly disposed, as no two men. nor
two women. either. could come 20 any
understanding Us To the business OF
the captain.
one morning tho listiess look on tho
captains face disappeared. and he
watched with considerable curiosity
the arrival I'm the port OF the lax. with
Capt. Bax on board.
And Capt. Bax, when he saw the
elongated mariner. seemed also n lit
tie Interested. There IL simplicity
about the code OF ethics practised by
mariners. and IL was not long before
, Capt. Peabody was drinking with Capt.
Rax ut the club. As the number az
drinks increased the cordial relations
became brothcrly, and nothing would
suit Capt. Peabody so much as In have
Capt. lIaN go with him on board OF
his vessel and taste some OF his won
derful whisky.
Capt. Bax responded with some show
of reluctance. and all Pnpcete was ~
scandaiized as Papeete could he at see
ing the two mariners Set out In a con-
dition not sober To go on board the
Raritan.
No sooner were the two shippers safe
within the captains stateroom than u
wonderful change came over them.
You are here sooner than l expect
cd" said Captain BaN. waving aside
the drink that was offered him. "We
are here for business. and no drinks
now" he added with n laugh.
How can n man do business without
n drink ?' growled the American skip
per as he poured out q generous glass :
ful.
Well" continued Capt. Bax, 1t Is
risky business"
The plague on the risk" snarlcd the
captain. do you suppose I've come
here from Boston TO be skeered OF by
those boats?" and he tossed his hand
in the direction OF the two government
cruisers that were anchored in the
stream.
1T Is not these boats that am
afraid or" said Bax: there are some
cutters that are generally cruising
around. and they may set wind OF the
. affair"
Il heard" said Peabody slowly. that
you were a man that was afraid OF
sailor"
Bax shrugged his shoulders md add
cd that care had TO be used ia the
business.
well. Amt I keerful?" he reared !;
"ain't been a month in that dodgasted
port and nothing to do but To talk to
the mounseers who can't speak a
You have not been intoxicated: ="
asked Bax.
Drunk. you mean? How can I on
that little, thin, green, wntcry stuff
Say" he added with fierce look In
his eyes. 1T strikes me that you don't
know q Yankee skipper"
II only meant that we must he very
careful. and did hear that there was
a pretty. stout. blonde woman that was
a little I'm love with you, and / thought
that she may have learned something"
Learned anything! and not talk a
word OF her blessed lingo" wrathful-
ly roared the captain.
That's a relief" thought little Capt.
Bax. for though he had the utmost
had little in his discretion, and he
would have liked TO have him out OF
Papeetc rs soon as possible.
IL the Raritan left Immediately after
the arrival OF the Dax suspicion would
be aroused. and he fancied that though
the Yankees were Regarded as snreWu
race he had anything but n shrewd
man to deal with. and though Bax was
a hard drinker he did not approve OF
these Copious draughts OF whisky that
were pouring In an inccssant stream
down the shippers throat.
when will you be ready TO leave?
nc asked the captain. abruptly.
Tonight" was the grun answer
do you think that I am getting -
stuck on the place that | want to live
AMI die hercT'
You can't leave at once. for that
would arouse suspicion" Was the an
swer.
We'll. let 'em suspect" growled tho
| skipper. as he buried his nose In his
glass. What do l Cnrcg"
We'll. leave the night after tomor-
! row. and We viii be drunk together for
the next two days"
There" said the captain. rs he ex-
tended his enormous hand and SHOOK
| Bax by the shouler. Il knew you were
"A man or sense"
Well" continued Bax. YOU wait for
me In latitude 20. 30 south. longitude
/ Isl. 10 west, or 200 miles south south
west OF here"
The Rnrltan reached her destination
at the appointed time. aud. contrary
IN all cxUpgtRtlOns there wua "A heavy