The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-12

T came aft to see you, sir, but was stopped by your second mate. I have been drugged and kid naped-shanghaied, the call it. I would like to get ashore. am not sailor. and did not ship in this craft'
 Cant help that You were put aboard as enc of crew bargained for, and here you stay. I'll make sailor of you, all right"
 T will make it worth your while captain. I am Independent of money conslderations, and stand a good sum to be out of this fix"
 "No, I've heard these yarns before. The papers are full of them. Every time has to plain his sudden disappearance he lays it onto ship shanghaing him. can't delay to get another man. The tugll be down soon"
 I will pay for the ships delay. guarantee to sat- isfy your owners. I have the money. 1 well known in Wall Street. Please investigate"
 There's no time; and, another thing, don't be- lieve you. You're not saior can see; but wealthy men don't ship, drunk sober"
 "I admit was drunk, and wandered into strange neighborhood. But my clothes and money talk I dressed in these rags by the thieves. If you will take the trouble, captain, will not put to this inconvenience"
 "Go forward. That's all."
 The captain shook him lttle, just enough to make his neck crackle, and gently pushed him away. Howard arose from the deck about fifteen feet off, saw his broad back disappearing in the forward companion of the cabin. and the second mate climb ing the poop steps. then went forward fuming with impotent rage. The had finished their dinner and had lighted their pipes.
 "How much per man," demanded Howard, as he took stock of the group "do you fellows want to overpower those brutes aft and put me ashore?'
 Derisive laughter answered 1lm.
 'IH give you thousand apiece. I've got it-on shore.'
 "Dot~was too mooch." said German. 'I do it mineself for p4oog of tobacco. When you want begin?"
 Look here. mate" said the chest owner seriously e1 know how you feel, and believe you back up your proposition; but we've signed articles, and what you ask is mutiny. Mutiny means certain jail, and if is killed even on our side, it is hanging in all countries for somebody. I've been aft in these packets and know bath sides. Take my advice: sing small, work hard and jump at Hong kong. The skipperl give you every chance to jump, for he'll guess, because of the front you make, that there's possible against him. But it's against shippers nature to give in to fore the mast. And if you raise any more trouble, there's chance that you never reach Hongkong.'
 Howard again went out and climbed the forecas- tie steps. Not craft of any kind enough to nail. But he noticed that the ship swinging at her anchor and that the food tide was making. He went back to the men.
 Can anybody" he asked moodily, Accommodate me with pencil piece of paper, and bottle with good cork.' They rummaged their hunks and bags, and the articles produced. Howard wrote:
 Whoever finds this please deliver to John H. Fairman 49 Wall Street, and receive reward. : Dear Fairman
 
 for Hongkong. Apparently escape. Will try and get this to you by the tug If fa will throw bottle overheard. Reward bearer literally. Fit out my yacht with armed force and a captain with nerve, aad send her after this ship. Will stand any ex- pense. JOHN HOWARD"
 Does the tug come alongside?" he asked as he corked the note in the bottle.
 Mot likely. She'll keep clear and throw us a heavng line," answered his adviser.
 I've written to my lawyer 1 may swim for it. and may get this bottle aboard the tug, 1 may just drop it overheard. Somebody's going to sweat for this.'
 Don't make it yourself. And don't let them see you toss the bottle. They'll want it back, and the tug captain might accommodate them."
 "Why. haven't right to notify my lawyer?"
 "Your rights won't be considered. The fact that you've got lawyer, and the possible chance of tro be, will make your life unsafe. Men like you are dropped overheard these ships Sing small. you fool"
 Turn to-" roared the second mate at the fore castle door, and Howard, slipping the bottle into his trousers pocket, went deck with the rest ponderng what he had heard. The first mate appeared, divided the into the original gangs and sent them aloft to finish bending the lighter sails, then scanned Howard quizzically.
 "Well, guess you'd better stay deck. Coil up all this gear, fore and aft, every rope you Coil each rope its pin"
 Howard answered respectfully-for so far had his nautical education progressed-and began the task. steaming up on the port quarter, the men coming