The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-21


as they dropped silently down
on the tide. or violently dis
GUESSING the identity of various steam
ers as they came swiftly past. Even
with these amusements the time hung
heavily. and they thought longingly
Of certain coy bars by the riverside
to which they were wont TO betake
themselves In their spare time.
Tonight, In Difference to the wishes
OF the skipper, wishes which approx
mated closely 70 those of royalty in
their effects, they remained on board.
A new acquaintance of his, a brother
captain, who dabbled In mesmerism,
was coming 10 give them a taste Of
his quality, and the skipper, sitting
or the side OF the schooner in the faint
light which streamed from the galley,
was condescendingly explaining TO
them the marYels Of hypnotism.
Il never card the likes Of It," said
one. with a dep breath, as the skipper
concluded a marvellous example
There's lot you amt card Of, Bill
said another. whose temper was suffer
ing from lack OF beer. But ave you
seen all this. siF2'
Everything" said the skipper. i'm
pressiyely. He wanted to mesmerise
me. an 1 said: All right / ses. do
Il an welcome-if you can, but eX-
pect my heads a bit too strong for
you
And Il was, sir, I'll bet" said the
man who had been so candid with
BILL
he tried everything" said the skip
per. ''then he give it up; but he's com
ing aboard tonight, so any of you that
likes can come down the cabin and be
mesmerised free"
why can't he do It on deckg' said
The mate. rising from the matches and
stretching his gigantic form.
Zoos he must have artificial light,
George" said the skipper. He lets
me a little bit into the secret, you
know. an he told me he likes TO have
the men a bit dazed-like first"
Voices sounded from the wharf. and
the night Waterman appeared plotting
Captain Zingau to the schooner The
crew noticed that he came aboard quite
Ike any other man, descending the
ladder with even more care than usual
He was a small man. OF much dignity,
with light gray eyes which had been
vortte hobby that they appeared TO De
starting from his head. He chattod
sSreeably hbout freights for some
time. and then. at his brother shippers
urgent entreaty, consented to 20 be-
low and give them a taste Of his awful
powers.
At first he was not very successful.
The men stared at the discs he put
into their hands until their eyes ached.
but for some time without effect Bill
was the first to yield. and to the aston
.ishment Of his friends passed into a
soft magnetic slUmber. from which he
emerged 10 perform the usual idiotic
tricks peculiar TO mesmerised subjects.
IT'S wonderful what mower you ave
over en-" said Captain Bradd. re-
spectfully.
Captain Zlngall smiled affably. al
tbs present moment" ne said, that
man Is my unthinkin' slave, an what
ever wish him 70 do be does. Would
any Of you like him TO do anything
We'll. sir" said one Of the men,
&c owes me arr crown, an ! think
Il would be ighly interestin' expert
nent n YOU could set I'm to pay me.
II anything I'd make me believe in
mesmerism. that would"
An he owes me eighteenpence, sir.
said another seaman, eagerly.
"One at time" said the first speak
er, sharply.
AN e's owed me five shillin's since 1
don't know when" said the cook. with
dishonest truthfulness.
Captain Zingall turned 10 his sub
ject. You owe that man half a
crown" be said. pointing, that ono
eighteenpence, and that one five shH-
lings. Pay them"
IN the most matter-of-fact way IN
the world Bill CROPPED I'm his pockets.
and producing some greasy coins. pay
ed the sums mentioned. 20 the intense
delight of everybody.
We'll, I'm blest." said the mate,
staring. I thought mesmerism was
all rubbish. Now bring him to again"
But don't tell i'm wot es been
doin',' said the cook.
Zingall with a few passes brought
his subject round. and with a sub
dued air he took his place with the
others.
''Whatd It feel like, Biug' asked
Joe. Can you remember what you
dldg"
Don't try to-" said the cook, feel
ingly.
I should like TO put you under the
influence" said zlngan. cycling the
mate.
you couldn't" said that gentleman.
promptly.
Let me try" said zingal. per-
suasively.
DO" said the skipper. ito obligo
me. George"
We'll. I don't mind much" said tho
mate. hesitating; but no making me
give those chaps money. you know"
mo. no." said Zingall.
''Wot does e mean? Give the chaps
money!" said BIN. turning with a
startled air to the cook.
I dunno" said the cook alrily
Just watch i'm, Bill, he added.
anxiously.
But Bill had something better TO do
and feeling i'm his pockets hurriediy
strove to balance his cash account
II was impossible to do anything else
while he was doing II. and the situa-
ton became so strained and his Lam
guase so weird that the skipper was
compelled IN the interest Of law and
morality TO order him from the cabin.
Look nj me-" said Zineall to the