New-York tribune., 1909-06-13
NO. O.
A BLACK AFFAIR
NO. O.
Ry ". W. Jacobs

Ry ". w Jacobs.
Copyright by Bachelor. johnson & BachslleTN
Copyright by Frederick 4 Stokes Company
q didn't want TO bring st." said Captain Gubson.
regarding somewhat unfayoraby 8 gray parrot
whose cage hanging against the mainmast.
but my old uncle was set on IT had 10. He
said sea voyage would set .ts 'ealth up
Tt seems 10 be all right at present. said the
mate. who was tenderly sucking his forefinger;
best Of spirits, ] should say"
IT'S playful assented the skipper The old
man thinks lot of it. I think shall have
little bit in that quarter, keep your eye ths
beggar."
Scratch POLL" said the parrot giving its bill +.
preliminary strop its perch Scratch poor
Ponyr'
II bent its head against the bars. and waited pa
tiently 10 play Of what it had always regarded IS
the most consummate practical joke in existence
The first doubt II had ever had about !t occurred
when the mate forward and obligtngly
scratched It with the stem of his pipe. 1t was
wholly unforeseen development md the parrot
rufiing its feathers. edged along its perch and
brooded darlly az the other end Of IL
OPINION before the mast was also against the new
arrival the general view being that the wild 3eal-
ousy which ragged in the bosom Of the ships cat
would sooner or later lead TO mischief
-'OId Satan don't like it, said the cook. shaking
his head. 'eThe blessed bird hadn't been aboard
ten minutes before Satan was prowling around
blooming
foot off the cage, and then he did the perlte and
asked him whether he'd like a glass O. beer.
never see q cat so took aback IL all my life Never
.sThere'u be trouble between en-" said old Sam
who was the cats special protector; mark my
words
I'd put my money on the parrot said one OF
the men confidently. Its 'ad cool bit out OF
the mates finger. Where 'ud the cat be agin that
beak?'
Wei, you'd Ioss your money" said Sam II
you want 10 do the cat kindness, every time you
see him near that cage cuff ais ed"
The crew being much attached 10 the cat, which
had been presented to them when kitten by the
mates wife, acted upon the advice with so much
xest that for the next two days the indignant AMI
mai was like TO have been killed with Kindness
on the third day, however. the parrots cage peins
on the cabin table, the cat stole furtively down.
and the pressing request OF the occupant lesoA'
scratched its head for 81
The skipper was the first TO discover the mis-
chief ana he came on deck and published the news
in a voice which struck chill TO all hearts
.-ZE-here's that black devil got tor he yelled
-.AnvthIug wrong, sir?" asked Sam anKiously.
Come and look here" said the skipper He led
,bs x-sv 70 the CABIN where the mate and one Of
the crew were already standing, shaking theiT
heads over the parrot
what DO you make OF thatT oemanoeo me
TOO rnucn dry food. sir" said Sam. after Que
elaboration
.-7oo much vlaat?' beloved the skipper
.--Too raueh dr. food" repeated Sam firmly "A
narrot-a gray paTTot-wants plenty o sop III II
don't get Il, it moults-
IRIS had toe much cat said the skipper hercely
r.snd YOU know II, and overheard 1t goes
IT don't believe it the cat, sir, interposed
the other man. ITS soft hearted to do thing
like that"
.yc,, can shut your jaw" said the skipper, red
ksn,nR. who asked you TO come down here at
sU?''
Nobody saw the cat do IT. urged the mate
The skipper said nothing. but, STOPPING down.
rel,ed I'D tail feather from the floor, and laid It
-, t,. table He then went on deck, followed by
,he others and began calling, in seductive tones
for the cat No reply forthcoming from te saga
cio.,s animal. which had gone into hiding, he
turned to Sam. and bade him csn It
mo. sir won't ave no and in IT." said the Old
man Futttng aside my liking for the animal. I'm
- s,snr 20 ave anything do with the killing Of
G black cat"
ssFaubb.shP said the skipper.
.etTsrv GOOD SIR said Sam. Struggling his shoul-
5.rs ..you know best, o. course. You're eddicated
and I'm not. al p'raps you can anord to make a
aaugf. o. such things. 1 knew one man who killed
q flaek cat an he went mad There's something
very pecooliar about that cat o ours
III knows more than We do" said one OF the
c,sux shaking lis head THAT time you-I mean
vre-rau the smack down. that cat was expecting
Of before. II was Ike 4 Niio
Look at the weather we've ad-look at the
trims we've made since he's been aboard said the
osd man. Tell me It's chance IL you like, but
know better"
The skipper hesitsted he was superstitious
man even for a sailor. and his weakness was 50 well
known that he had become sympathetic receptacle
for every ghost story which, by reason Of its crde-
ness or lack OF corroboraon, had been rejected by
other experts. He perfect reference library
for ornerss and his Interpretations Of dreams had
gained for him q widespread reputation
.sThzt's all nonsense" he said, psusing uneasily
.zrtII oplx want be just There's nothing vim
<ic4tzs about me and I'll have hand in IL myself
Ios t.st lie lump Of coal that and heave It
overheard"
4pgot me-" said the cook, following Sans lead.
s,s voy4dns up q shudder Not for fifty pun in
mid don't want 70 be hauntsd