The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-13

aiteruOOn o. tn6 lO..OWing day they
were In Vineyard sound. Bradley's
suspicious had by this time come to lie
almost certainties. For two or three
sailors to show signs Of drunkenness
on the first morning out of port was
nothing strange, but to have those
symptoms more pronounced the even
Ing OF the second day was proof that
there were bottles In the fo'castle. But
Captain 'Titcomb, usually the first to
scent the presence Of these abOmina-
tions and to punish their owners, now,
apparently, was unaware Of their pres
ence. And the first mate. too, either
did not see or did not care.
Bradley was standing by the fo'castIe
just at dusk that evening when sailor
bumped violently into him in passing.
The second mate spoke sharply to the
offender, and the answer he received
was impudent and surly.
Here you," exclaimed Bradley, seiz-
Ing the man by the shoulder and whirl.
Ing him violently around, "do you know
who you're talking to? Speak to me
again like that, and I'll break you In
two"
The mamie was a new hand-mum-
bled reply to the effect that he
hadn't meant to say nothin'."
"Well, don't say it again. Stand up.
You're drunk. Now, where did you get
your liquor?"
"Ain't got none, SIR"
You're liar. Stand up or you'll lie
down for good while. Anybody with
a nose could smell rum if you passed n
mile to wind'ard. Where did you get
it?"
The sailor began a further protesta-
ton, but Bradley choked it of and
shock him savagely. The first mate,
hearing the scuftie, came hurrying up.
whats the row, Mr.. Nickerson?" he
asked.
This mans drunk, and I want to
know where the rum came from"
Mr.. Burke scowled fiercely. Look
here" he shouted, 'is that so? Are you
drunkT'
''No, SIR"
you're mighty close to it. Why
and here the first mate swore steadily
for q full minute. "Do you know what
I'd do to a man that brought rum
aboard vessel Of mine? I'd use his
blankety-blanked hide for q spare
tops'l and feed the rest Of his carcass
to the dogHsh. Git out of here, and re-
member I'm watchin' you sharp"
Z He gave the fellow q kick that sent
him flying. and, turning to Bradley.
said In confidential whisper: "Ain't IL
queer how a shore drunk'N stick to q
man? I've seen 'em come aboard 10
full that they stayed 90 for a week
afterward."
II think they've got the liquor down
for'ard here"
II guess not. II thought 30, I'd kill
the whole"-half dozen descriptive ad-
jectives-"lot. They can't play with
me, blank, blank 'emv'
But In spite Of Mr.. Burke's fierce
ness Bradley wasn't satisfied. He be-
lieved that II the first mate had let
him alone he would have found the
, liquor. However. he thought IL nei-
ther the skipper nor Mr.. Burke cared
IT was none Of his business. But he
was uneasy nevertheless.
by o o'clock the signs of drunken
moss were so plain that even the first
mate had to admit the fact. Only q
very few of the men were strictly so
Der. One Of these was the big Swede.
Swensen. Oddly enough, this man had
stuck to Captain Titcomb's schooner
every voyage since one trip ON which
the skipper had knocked the fight out
OF him. The novelty Of a good sound
thrashing was. apparently, just what
the giant had needed, and for the man
who had clicked him he entertained
tremendous respect and almost love.
"Cap'n Ez, he knock the tar out of
me-" said Swensen. "He stand no
foolin'. He's man. HeyY
He liked Bradley, too, and had pre-.
sented the latter with q miniature mod
el OF three masted schooner In q
bottle, beautifully done and such put
tcring" work that 1t was a wonder how
bis big. clumsy fingers could have
made Ii.
But though Swensen and the Portu-
guese cook and one or two more were
sober, the rest Of the crew were not.
MIR. Burke confessed as much to Brad
ley.
They've got rum with 'em, all
right" he whispered. But well be to
Boston tomorrer, and there ain't no
use startin' row till daylight. Then
some Of these smart Alecs I'll find out
who's who in hurry or my fist don't
weigh what it used to. Better not say
nOthin' to the skipper" he added. mo
use to worry him."
1t was odd advice from q mate, but,
as Bradley could see, to his astonish.
ment. there was no need Of telling Cap.
tain Titcomb. 1t was plain enough
that the, latter knew his crews condi-
tion and deliberately ignored it. Men
stumbled past him, and he looked the
6nv l.