Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1907-02-08


twisted ia his shirt collar
Hang you.' said the captain he
tween his teeth. I'LL swear III
Mir. Burke came running ANA wills
pprcd eagerly In his commanders ear
CAPTAIN Titrnmb's arm Strengthened.
ami the sailor. was thrown across the
deck.
TO for'ard." roared the skipper.
and if you want To live you keep ont
of my Signr. | can't help il. Burke. |
I've got some self respect left yit.
That was all. and Bradley wondered. |
Under such circumstances accidents |
We're bound 10 occur But the one that
did occur was serious. Bradley was
below when it happened. lie usually
took the first watch. but tonight cap
tain Titcomb said he would take II.
and Mr.. Burke would stay up with him
for awhile So the second mate turn
ed in. He was awakened 10y 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 Il fifth in their arms.
What's the natter" asked Bradley
who's hurt"
ITS the skipper" replied one of the
men in Il 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
cur on his forehead.
For Gods sake he began, but
was interrupted by Burke. who. with
a very white face, was descending the
ladder.
FLUSH up," commanded the first
mate. Don't make a row. 'Tain't
nothin' serious, | guess. lest cuSSed
fooiShness. 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 a
high after deck. and to reach the
waist one must descend Il five foot
ladder. \ sailor. not too sober. had
thrown the lead and in passing aft
with the lire had foulcd it Mt the lad
der. Captain Titcomb. losing his tenn
per at the mans clumsincss. 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 it 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
"lIe was drunk" broke in Bradley
"IfeS been drunk all the afternoon
Isn't that so?''
The cook looked hastily at the lad
t der, then at the captain. Then. nod
D ding emphatically. he whispered
) "Ya-as. sir. They most all drunk.
g never seen so much drink on schoone
$ not on Cap'n Titcomb's schooner
: anyway. and sail with him for fiv
year"
t But Bradley would not 60 to bed
:, He was worried about the captain an,
It even more worried about the schooner
u He did not like Mr.. Burke. and he wa
q by no means sure-iudging by what h
had seen-that the mate knew how t
handle a crew. About o'clock he dc
IL cided to go on deck.
Bradley leaned on the rail and lool
II ed over the water toward where tn
l. shore should be. AS he stood ther
II the haze blew aside for Il moment, an
he saw not more than two miles ava
= and ahead of the schooner the twink
T. of light. Then it disappeared agail
u He walked aft. One Of the new hand
e was at the wheel and there was a di,
J. tinct smell Of rum in the vicinity.
II WHO gave you that course?"
lie "Mr. Burke, sir"
Burke was standing by the for,
J. shrouds. looking over the side. II
st started when Bradley touched his arm
Il excuse me. Mr.. Burke" said til
D. second mate. where are we"'
e, Turned the Rip an hour or 80 ago
II B,Tke's tone was distinctly nnplea
II ant What are you dom here"
II 81 couldn't sleep. SO ! came on dec
IL minute Isn't she pretty close in?
Il thought saw the skakit light jus
II now
IL Saw nothin'! Skakit lights ava
III off yonder. Water enough here to 40;
a Cunarder. What's the matter wit
d you? 'Fraid | amt on to my iol
/" When | want your help I'll ask for |
I've sailed these waters when yo
e. was Kid"
d well, I didn't mean to-
u Then shut up. You go below an
IL tend to the skipper"
y" Bradley hit his lip and turned ava
We If Burke was right lie had no bus
ness to interfere; if he wasn't RICH
u the Thomas Doane was shaving Il
re shoals altogether too close. He wei
ot. below found Captain Titcomb slice
d ing quietly and little later came
deck again to lean on the rail ami
all ships and once more stare at the 70
to gy darkness.
no A big figure doomed close besit
ell him. 1t was Swensen, and he obyiou
ut ly wanted to speak
at well, Swensen," said Bradle
ay "what is itt'
No The Swede leaned forward and sha
Ing his mouth with his hand. viii
ut. pered hoarScly: Mr.. Neekerson. V,
'h know bout The fust mate? lie ;
ip- right? What"
gh Bradley had been brought up to d
di- courage familiarity with men befo
Ell the mast.