Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-08

crowd was by bad example. While aft l had
treated them well, and they liked me for my scrap
with Macklin; SO they listened while counseled sub
mission and avoidance Of legal consequences which
last the only point made. They feared neither
man, God, devil; but they did fear the law and
grew quiet when talked of jail and the galows. And
this fear possibly accounted for my finding my pistol
"a newly invented Colt revolver-lying in my bunk
morning when | came in from long nights
lookout to get my breakfast.
Who put this here! ! demanded. Who had
my snn3 one would acknowledge the oft: but the
state of mind behind it given in the remark Of
one. Now we've got it again. it,!
Il tucked it under my mattress resolved not to
use it. but little later put it into my trousers
pocket Fear of the law, forward and aft began to
yield to fear of death. Men openly sharpened their
knives, and the afterguard ostentatiously showed
their pistols Their pistols were not SO good as
derringers, with only two shots.
THINGS eliminated on a rnoonlit night when we
charging along before quarterng whole
sail breeze, making | should judge, about eleven
knots | was on lookout as usual and keeping
good one, know, even though my eyes would half
close times from sheer need Of sleep 1t was about
seven bells of the first watch, and for some
other-perhaps the strong moonlight which keeps
some people awake-both the skipper and the first
mate were on deck and standing aft the Wheel
while Mr. Parker stood his watch on the poop forward
of the after house. The men walked up and down
between the fore and main rigging.
"A faint light showed up ahead and to leeward. l
opened my eyes wide to make and saw the FAINT
shadowy outlines Of hull and canvas, a ship close
hauled across bows. Then sang out:
Light no! Ship the port tack two points of
the starboard bow sir!
Light no, is it, beloved the skipper. Put
other on lookout and send that scow bunker aft
here Mr.. Parker!
"A man came and relieved me. Wondering what
was up now, l went aft, and the skipper and two
met at the break Of the poop.
You get up there to the weather maintopsa
yard arm, you BANKED blind eyed farmer snaned the
skipper. and keep Your lookout there Dye hear?
/ hat hefn fl11f'
" reported 1t as soon as | saw 1t, sir, answered
civiy.
None O. your lip! Get up there! And say
Il had answered and turned in way bothered
by the change was to put in the rest of the night
on the yard; but l could sit down and rest my bones
The skipper modified this You keep your look
out there, and when the bell strikes You call out
ALPS well, weather maintopsai yard arm! Then
you flap your arms like wings and crow like a zoos
Mackin and Mr. s' Parker" Dyau hears' ' '' w.
Yes, SIR said, and went aloft, boiling
with humiliation and rage. OF what was life,
thought and success sea- if it be bought at
such price in manhood and self respect? The more
thought of it the stronger grew my resolve to end
it IN some way
TT was the at the wheel who showed me the
way. He a tempered Irshman, a good
seaman; but Indifferent helmsman. He had put
the ship of couple OF points at the skipper order
pass under the stern of the ship ahead, and
had some trouble in steadying to the new course
He came in for round of abuse from the three. and
at last relieved while the skipper gave him in
struCtions similar ; mine. He was to take the lee
maintopsail yard, call the bells when struck
deck and conclude with the cockcrow and blessing
his lords and masters | heard his furious curses
he reached the yard and slid out to eeward.
We passed under the stern of the other ship, and
/ judged by her rig that she was beating her way
west, possibly to New York or Boston. As she
dropped out of sight astern, eight bells struck
deck The lookout the forecaste called out
Eight bells t'galant focas'1e All's WE'LL in the
peculiar sngsong they have in that trade. re-
peated my call from the weather yard arm; but
left out the and the prayer for blessings. The
skipper and mates were looking up at me, and saw