The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-01

that something would soon happen 70
the "old man" If Billy did not soon
skip out; and the "old man" showed
an the desire in the world % bring I
about 50 desirable a contamination.
Then the captain determined upon /
new measures He passed a hint TO /
Facey, and Facey passed It to the |
mess, and the mess to the bluejack-
cts, that they were making things too
comfortable for their prisoner. For a
while Billy's easy life came TO an
abrupt conclusion. His best friends
began to kick and cum him without
mercy He was represented by the
bosun's mate, and the cook threw
boiling water over his naked skin.
The boys heart almost broke at this,
and he went about detected and un-
happy for the first time since he had
come aboard. But no harsh usage, no
/ foul words, could drive him to desert.
It was on the bridge. to Facey, when
the ship had just dropped anchor in
Port Mcclure, not 40 miles from Sun
flower bay
"Mr. Facey," he said, send Mr..
Burder ashore with an armed party;
tell him just to show himself a bit
and come on again"
yes, sir" said Facey.
Il am thinking they might take that
fellow Billy to translate for them" he
went on, shamefacedly
The first lieutenant turned to go.
Hold on" said the captain, sud.
denly lowering his voice and drawing
hts subordinate close to him. Just
you pass it on to Burder that I
wouldn't skin him alive-you know
what I mean-if-well, suppose that
black fellow cut his lucky alto
gether-"
Facey smiled.
"0f course" rasped out the cap
tain, q can't tolerate any dereliction
of duty; but II the young devil made
a break for tt"
LAY, ay, sir" returned the first
lieutenant, and darted down the brass
steps three at time. He called
Burder aside and gave his instrue-
tions to that discreet youngster, who
was sharp to see the point without the
need for awkward explanations.
A couple Of hours later Burder en-
barked again and headed for the ship
In tearing hurry. A chuckle ran
along the decks as not a sign Of Billy
could be made out, and the nearing
boat soon put the last doubt at rest
There was no black boy among the
blue-iackets
Burder skipped up the steps and
saluted the captain on the bridge.
Il have to report the escape Of Billy,
sir" he said, with inimitable gravity
and assurance. II scarcely know how
It came to happen, sir, but he man
aged to bolt as he was walking be-
tween Miller and Cracroft."
This Is a very serious matter" said
the captain with ill-concealed cheer
fulness Il don't know but what It is
my duty to reprimand you very se-
verely for your carelessness. However,
If he's gone, he's gone, I suppose
hope you took measures to recapture
him?"
Yes, sir, returned Burder. Looked
for him high and low. sir"
Poor Billy" said the captain. with
smile that spoke volumes Wen
say no more about 1t, Mr.. Burder; It
may be all for the best; but remem.
Der. sir It mustn't happen again"
'No, sir" said Burder
How did you manage II, old man?"
was the eager question that met the
youngster as he took shelter in the
wardroom and ordered "a beer" All
his messmates were round him, save
Faeey, who was officer Of the deck
and could not do more than hang In
the doorway.
'I tell you II wasn't easy" said the
boy. I'VE promenaded all round the
place, and tried like fun to shake
J him on. sent him errands and hid
behind trees. and talked Of how we
we're going to shoot him tomorrow
but It was all no blooming good I
was at my wits end at last, and had
almost made up my mind to tie him to
a tree and run for II, when I got a
bright idea. pretended had dropped
my canteen under banyan a mile be-
hind the town. a kind OF cemetery
banyan, full Of dead mems bones-a
rummy place, can tell you. And
when we got down near the boat, !
took the niger on one side and bade
him go and fetch IT, And don't you
come back without IL. Billy, said /
I'll be dismissed from the service II
can't account for that canteenl Then
be asked how long l was going to stay
and l said week; and he went OF
like a lamb, while we squared. away
for the ship Didn't you see the Jos
sers PULL"
It had been the merest pretense thai
had taken the warship into Port Nc
Guire, and now that her merclful er
rand had been so successfully accom-
pllshed, and Billy reluctantly torn a
last from those who had 10 Kill him
Capt Easement lost no time in order
ing the ship to sea. But as the winch