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

iootsteps on the companion ladder.
opening his stateroOm door, he saw
four men descending the ladder, car
rying q fifth In their arms.
! whats the matter?" asked Bradley.
who's hurt?"
Its the skipper" replied one of the
men In frightened voice. HE fell
and hurt his head. He"-
Bradley sprang into the cabin and
saw Captain Titcomb unconscious and
with the blood running from an ugly
cut on his forehead.
| For Gods sake"-- he began. but
was interrupted by Burke, who. with
a very white face. was descending the
ladder.
Hush up!" commanded the first
mate. Don't make n row. 'Taint
nothin' serious, l guess. Jest cussed
roolishness. Put him on the locker
there, YOU"
This Is what had happened: The
schooner was passing out of tbe
sound, and, as the night was black
and hazy, they were using the lead
frequently. The Thomas Doane had q
nigh after deck, and to reach the
waist one must descend a five foot
iadder. A sailor, not too sober. had
thrown the lead and in passing aft
with the lipe had fouled 1t at the lad
der. Captain Titcomb, losing his fem.
per at the mans clumsiness, had run
toward him, tripped in the line and
pitched head first over the fellows
shoulder to the main deck. The sail
or's body had broken the fall some
what, and the skull was not fractured
but 1t was bad enough.
The cook, who had helped bring the
captain into the cabin, fingered after
the first mate had gone. Bradley ques.
toned him about the accident.
"Thoma, he done it," said the cook.
The line, she git mess up by the"-
He was drunk" broke In Bradley.
Hes been drunk all the afternoon.
Isn't that so?"
The cook looked hastily at the lad.
der. then at the captain. Then. nod
dlng emphatically, he whispered:
"Ya-as. sir. They most all drunk. I
never seen so much drink on schooner
not on Cap'n Titcomb's schooner.
! anyway. and I sail with him for five
year."
| But Bradley would not 90 to bed.
he was worried about the captain and
even more worried about the schooner.
He did not like Mr.. Burke, and he was
oy no means sure-judging by what he
had seen-that the mate knew how to
| handle crew. About 2 O'Clock he de.
cided to 60 on deck.
Bradley leaned on the rail and look.
ed over the water toward where the
snore should be. As he stood there
the haze blew aside for moment and
he saw not more than two miles away
and ahead Of the schooner the twinkle
OF light. Then 1t disappeared again.
He walked aft. One Of the new hands
was at the wheel, and there was a dis.
tinct smell Of rum in the vicinity.
"Who gave you that courser'
mt. Burke. SIR"
Burke was standing by the fore
shrouds. looking over the side. he
started when Bradley touched his arm.
Excuse me, Mr.. Burke" said the
second mate. "Where are wew
Turned the Rip an hour or so ago."
Burke's tone was distinctly unpleas.
ant. What are you doin' heref'
Il couldn't sleep, so I came ON deck
a minute. Isn't she pretty close in?
thought / saw the Skakit light Just
now"
"Saw nothin'! Skakit lights away
OF yonder. Water enough here to float
a. Cunarder. What's the matter with
you? 'Fraid I amt on to my lob?
When l want your help I'll ask for it.
I've sailed these waters when you
was kid"
"Well, didn't mean to-
"Then shut up! You go below and
tend to the skipper"
! Bradley bit his lip and turned away.
If Burke was right, he had no busi-
ness to Interfere; If he wasn't right,
the Thomas Doane was shaving the
shoals altogether too close. He went
below, found Captain Titcomb sleep
ing quietly and little later came on
deck again to lean on the rail amid
ships and once more stare at the. fog
gy darkness.
A big figure loomed close beside
him. 1t was Swensen, and he obvious
ly wanted to speak.
"Well, Swensen," said Bradley.
what Is it?"
The Swede leaned forward and, shad-
Ing his mouth with his hand, whis.
pered hoarsely: "Mr. Ncekerson, you
know bout the fust mate? He all
right? What?"
Bradley had been brought up to dis
courage familiarity with men before
the mast.
wv hat are you talking abouty' he
+. asked sharply.
"Nawthin' sir. Only he know this
course? All see Skakit light twice yust
now and only mile n half of. That