Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1908-03-06

1t could be called. Captain
" Selover at first failed to recog-
nize me. Then he burst into his shrill
cackle.
Didn't know you," he trebled. "But
you look shipshape. Come, I'll show
you your quarters"
Immediately I discovered what /
had suspected before-that on so small
a schooner the mate took rank with
the men rather than the afterguard.
Cabin accommodations were of course
very limited. My own lurked in the
waist Of the ship-a tiny little airless
hole.
Here's where Johnson stayed" prot
fered Selover. "You can bunk here or
you can go in the foc'sle with the men,
They's more room there. Well get
under way with the turn Of the tide"
He left me. I examined the cabin.
It was just trife larger than its sim
gle berth, and the berth was just
trife larger than myself. My chest
would have to be left outside.
strongly suspected that my lungs
would have to be left outside also.
For the life Of me could not see where
the air was to come from. With NEIL
tai reservation in favor of investigat-
ing the forecastle I went on deck.
The Laughing Lass was one Of the
prettiest little schooners I ever saw
Were it not for the lines Of her bilges
and the internal arrangement Of her
hold it might be imagined she had
been built originally as q pleasure
yacht. Even the rake Of her masts, a
little forward Of plumb, bore out this
impression, which comparatively new
SUIT of canvas, well stopped down,
brass stanchions forward and two lit
tie guns under tarpaulins almost con
firmed. Her complement Of boats was
ample enough. She had two surfboats,
a dingey and dory slung to the
davits. In addition another dory-the
one you picked me up in-was dashed
to the top of the deckhouse.
'"They'd mighty near have boat
apiece" 1 thought and went forward.
Just outside the forecastle hatch
in voice singularly rich in quality.
The words and the quaintness of the
minor air struck me immensely and
have chung to my memory like a bur
ever since:
":Are you a man-o'-war or a privateer,'
said he.
Blow high, blow low, what care we!
oh. I am Jolly pirate, and I'm sailing
for my fee,'
Down on the coast Of the high Bar
bare-e-e."
l stepped to the companion. The
voice at once ceased. descended.
A glimmer of late afternoon strug-
gled through the headlights. I found
myself in really commodious space,
extending far back Of where the for
ward bulkheads are usually placed,
accommodating rows and rows of
bunks-eighteen Of them, in fact. The
unlighted lamp cast its shadow on
wood stained black by much use, but
polished like ebony from the continued
friction of mems garments. 1 wish I
could convey to you the uncanny eff
feet this-of dropping from the decks
Of a miniature craft to the interna;
arrangements Of square rugged ship.
1t was as though entering a cottage
door you were to discover yourself on
the floor of Madison Square Garden.
A fresh sweet breeze Of evening suck
ed down the hatch. 1 Immediately de-
cided on the forecastle. Already it
was being borne in on me that was
little more than a glorified bos'n's
mate. The situation suited me, how
ever. 1t enabled me to watch The
course of events more safely, less ex
posed to the danger Of recognition.