New-York tribune., 1909-03-14
NO Il.
THE B0ATSWAIN'S MATE
BIZ ". W Jacobs.

copyright 1905. by Charles scribner's sons.l
Mr.. George Benn. retired boatsWain, sighed
noisly. and with respondent gesture turned to
the door and stood with the handle in his hand;
Mrs. Waters. sitting behind the tiny bar IN tall
Windsor chair, eyed him with some heat
NY feeliags'u never change" said the boat
swain.
Nor mine either" SAID the landlady. sharply.
Its a strange thing, Mr.. Benn. but you always
ask me marry you after the third mug.
Its enIy 10 get my courage up" pleaded the
boatswain- --zlext time III do il afore I ave a
drop; that'H prove TO you I'm in earnest
He stepped outside and closed the door before the
landlady could make selection from the many re-
torts that crowded her lips. After the cool bar.
with is smell OF damp sawdust. the road seemed
hot and dusty; but the boatsgain prey to gloom
natural 10 a whose hand has been refused
five times in a fortnight, walked on unheedlns
His steps Jagged. but his brain active
He walked for two miles deep in thought and
then coming 10 q shady bank took & seat upon an
inviting piece Of turf and lit his pipe. The heat
and the drowsy hum of bees made him nod; his
pipe hung from the corner Of his mouth, and his
eyes closed
He opened them at She sound Of approaching foot
steps and. feeling in his pocket for matches, gazeG
lszily AZ the intruder He tall man carrying
q small bundle over his shoulder, and in the erect
carriage. the keen eyes and bronzsd face had little
difficulty in detecting the old soldier
The stranger stopped as he reached the seated
boatswain and eyed him pleasantly
Got a pipe O baccy, mate?" he inquired.
The boatswain handed him the small metal box
in which ne kept that luxury.
Lobster, amt you?" he said. affably.
The tan man nodded Was he replied. Now
I'm ny own commander ir chief"
Padding it, suggested the boatswain,- taking
the box from him and reflling his pipe.
The other nodded. ana with the air OF dis
posed d conversation dropped his bundle in the
ditch ard took a seat beside him I've got plenty
Of time he remarked.
md sla -as on in
silence = dim idea which had been in his mind
:or some time began to clarity He stole glance
e his companions man Of about thirty-eiSht
clear eyes. with humorous wrinkles at the corners.
a heavy moustache. and cheerful expression more
than ringed with reeklessness.
Amt and above fond O. work." suggested
the boatswain. when he had finished mis- inspection
4 love it, said tie other. blowing a cloud of
srnoke in the air. but can't have all want in
this wcrld: Il wouldn't be good for us
The boatswain thought Of Mrs. Waters. and
sighed. Then he ratified his pocket.
Would arf Quid be any good TO you?' he in
CURED.
Look here" began the soldier; Just because
asked sou for pipe O baccy''-
NO offence said the other. quickly. I mean Il
you earned it?"
The soldier nodded and took his pipe from his
mouth Gardening and windows lie hazarded.
with q shrug OF his shoulders.
The boatswain shook his head
-'Scrubbing. p'T'aps2" said the soldier, with
sigh OF resignation. Last house scrubbed out
! did il thoroughly they accused me Of pouchinG
the soap. Hang 'emt''
And you didn't?' querIed the boatswain. eyeing
him keenly.
The soldier rose and. knocking the ashes out OF
his pipe, gazed him dary. - can't give II back
some Of II. and I can't pay you for it because I've
only got twopence. and THAI I want myself So
long. matey. and next time poor wretch asks you
fr pipe be civil
my born days" expostulatod the boatswain. 7
'ad my reasons for thai remark. mata. Good rea-
sons they was"
The soldier grunted and STOPPING. picked up his
bundle.
y spoke Of arr a sovereign just now" continued
the boatswain. iI3pressively. and when tell you
that oner it 10 sou do bit o burgling youu
see 'ow necessary il is for be certain OF your
honesty"
-'Burglingl" gasped the astonished soldier Hon
esty7 'Strlth; are you drunk I?'
Meaning said the boatswain. waving the impu-
tstion away with HIS hand, FOR You 10 pretend 10
be burglar.
We're both drunk, THAT'S what it is said the
other. resigneGly.
The boatswain hdgeted If you don't agree
NUNS The word and ne arm done" he said hold
ing out his hard
AIira-s the word said the soldier. taking #
My names cSed Tragers. and. barring cells for 4
spree now and again. there's nothing against il
Mind that
Might 'appen to anybody" said Mr.. Benn sooth-
ingly You al your pipe and don't GO chucking
good tobacco away sgn.-
Air Trsvers took the offered box and. with
nomy Of adversely. stopped and filled up first
with the plug he had thrown away. Then he
seat and. leaning back luxuriousiy, bace
the ether fire away
i amt got it all shipscape and proper yet
said Nr Benn sIowly. but It's in ny minds eye.
lis been there of and like for some time"
Ese lit his pipe again and gazed hxedly at the
opposite hedge Two miles from here. where 1
live said. after several vigorous puffs. there's
a littie public ouse called the Beehive. kept hy
e lady wot I've got my eye on"
The soldier sat u.
.she ucn't 'are re" said the bOatswain. with
an cir mise surprise
TAs soldier leane5 back again-