The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-12-24


To the 5gY C ths uen be partly
trote down II TIE torecGstle that
night. and. IL troyicsl language. ser
srz1ly Blamed his pArS1ts. the school
bozrd and the sr-y for not having
taught him 10 swim The last thing
hat BIZ beard. ere sleep closed his
les. was . pious resolution on The
Tssr1 o. Mr- Bliss 10 tae eject that al
RS children Should be taught the art
q rsistiOn as soon as they were born
Bin woke Up Just before six: and.
hearing q complaining voice. thought
a. first that his military friend vas
Etill speaking The voice 60; more
and more euer1lo8s with occasional
excursions into tie profane. aad the
seaman. rubbing his eyes. turned his
head and saw old Thomas groDiog
about ihe foreczstle
~Wot's the matter with you. old
'Un,~ he demanded.
4 can't find my trousis." grumbled
the old man
said Bill. frankly: where's that
blooming so5er27
4 don't know where e IS. and !
don't care" replied the old man. "on
deck. s'pose"
The old man started. and hurriedly
ascended 20 the deck He was alb
sent two or three minutes. and, when
be returned, CONSERVATION was writ
large upon his face.
Hes gone" he spluttered: there
amt sign Of i'm about. and the life
belt wot hangs on the galley as gone,
too. Wot am / TO dOz'
Well. they was very old cloes,"
said Bill. sooihingly. AN you amt a
bad ngger. not for your time O. life,
Thomas"
Don't be fcol. Thomas" said Bob.
anxiously.
Il can't help it" said the old man,
struggling Historically; its the best
| joke I've heard"
He's gone dotty," said Ted. sol
cmnly. Il never card Of man larfing
| like that COS he'd lorst is clOes."
I'm not larfing at that" said
Thomas, regaining his composure By
great effort. I'm larfng at Joke
wot you don't know CT yet"
A deadly chill struck at the hearts
/ OF the listeners at these words. then
BIZ. after a glance at the foot OF his
bunk, where he usually kept his
clothes. sprang out and began hope
less search. The other men followed
suit, and the air rang with lamenta-
tions and profanity. Even the spare
suits in the mems chests had gone;
and Bill, a prey TO acute despair. sat
down, and in a striking passage con-
signed the entire British army to per-
6ition.
les taken one suit and chucked
the rest overheard, | expect, so as we
sha'n't be atle TO 90 arter i'm" said
Thomas. Il expect he could swim arter
all. Bill"
pill, still busy with the British army.
paid no heed.
We must 20 an tell the old man" !"
said Ted.
Better be careful" cautioned the
cook. I'm an the mate 'ad go at
the whisky last night. an you know
wot e is next morning"
The men went up slowly on deck.
The morning was fine, but the air,
chill with a breeze from the land, had
them at a disadvantage. Ashore, a
few people were early astir.
You 20 down, Thomas, you're the
Oldest" said Bill.
Il was thinking o Ted going" said
Thomas, "'e's the youngest"
The cook, followed by the others.
led the way down 10 interview the
skipper The clock licked on the
mantelpiece. and heavy snoring pro.
oeeded both from the mates bunk and
the stateroom. On THE door of the
latter the cook knocked gently: then
he turned the handle and peeped in.
The skipper, raising a heavy head,
set in matted hair and disordered
whlskers, glared at him fiercely.
What dye want?" lie roared.
III you please, sir" began the
cook.
Get out" roared the skipper, re.
covering his voice.
I'VE came to tell YOU" inteTposed
Bill. "as 'ow-"
Get out" roared the skipper again.
How dare you come to my stateroom.
and like this too
"All our clothes ave gone and sc
as the soier chap" said Bill.
Serve you damned well right fol
letting him co." cried the skipper. an
grily. Hurry up. George. and get
alongside" he called to the mate,
'well catch him yet. Clear out, you
-you-ballet girls"
"George?" he said, in an odd voice.
"Well?" was the reply.
Il hope you're not forgetting your.
self and playing larlSs." said the skip.
per, with severity.
'Larks?" repeated the mate, as the
alarmed crew hed silently on deck and
stood listening open-mouthed at the
companion. "Of course | amt. You
|