The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-24
CHAPTER XIV.
A SEA TRAIL.

with open arms.
The crew of this particular motor
wagon was no exception.
With the crash of two bodies and
two bags landing all together over
the rear the chauffeur slowed down
and scowled viciously backward In
Chorus with the gentleman who was
just struggling amazedly up from ms
sitting position. on trunk well for
ward. he yelled:
Get offa there!
The van came almost 20 a stand
stiIl. and as it did so Durkin, sitting
up. remarked weakly:
"Say. boss, give Us ride, will yeh?
We're"
"Git on
Mr.. walter Johnson sat up and
grinned, besmudged. clean shaver in
pocence from his blue eyes, through
the dusk.
SAY. we're in a hurry, DO" he said.
"We gotter get our boat or lose our
Jobs. and were late. It's only a
couple O. blocks, and we amt got a
minute L spare. VIII you take this
it's all what 1 got-an' hit her up?
He held up a bedra ggled dollar and
offered il to the helper on the wagon,
and the helper, being rather decent
citizen. snOrted:
-Aw. hang on [ yer dollar! Go
on, Tommy There Amt any one
liable t see. Go ahead"
A last backward glance and Tom
N.Y. complied reluctantly. The ma
chine shot ahead once more, and Mr..
Durkin, planting his bag on vacant
spot, sat down. Walter Johnson dld
likewise and grinned dismally with:
I'VE goin' TO make her, Bill?"
"We'n make her all right at this
yxte. Walt" responded Durkin. with
tolerant patience. Gee, This is
swell. Amt it,
Il guess there amt many o the boys
COIN aboard in an ottehrmobiIe" young
MIR. Johnson responded, with faint hu-
NOR.
The blocks sped by magically.
one, two-eight or nine-and Durkin
Jumped up with:
"Here's ours, Slow up little will
YER"
The machine held up obligingly. Nj
Durbin dropped of. bag in hand, and
Mr.. johnson followed with a hearty:
THANK. boys
And the machine churned on its way
sKain, and he was hurrying down the
dock at Durkin's side Far ahead there
was narrow gsngplank, around the
foot OF which men stood idly Straight
for IL they made; and, coming 70 H. Dur
kin was greeted with nod and word
n, several of the herny-handed sons OF
toll
Straight up the plank steered Mr. Dur
kin. with Walter Johnson at his heels
At the top stood brawny individual
Of perhaps 40. cold Of eye and square
of chin. He wore a cap which had once
bossted gold braid. He also wore
Jacket that. I'm past times. had displayed
numerous brass buttons. Just now =
retained only three as official insignia
Put the csse-nardened dignity and i'm
uortance of the wesrer made up for an!
slight lack OF cheap ornament He sur
veved the newcomers for a minute
then:
well. is that your
yes, sir" Durkin touched his cap
Walter wondered vaguely why he didn
cay AYE, aye, sir
''Did We come down in cab?'
HUH
II thought 1 told you to be abOsr
at ~"
well, you see. We sorter got stalled
.Yuh did," sneered the mate We'll
It's a - good thing Tor you ther
wasn't much goin' below. You'd
stayed right here and looked for an
other lob IL there had been.
All right, Buck Durkin touched M
cap with a grin. Wen get our
comm back. in the way o work.
know this old sled"
You can betcher will responde
the mate grimly. Git down and
FOR the FIRST time he seemed 10 esp
the smaller Mr.. Johnson. who's we
friend. DUrkin2"
D7lrkin laid a hand on Johnson's arm
Hes a kid lookn' for job on boar
here, Buck. Can ye Ak it for him.
That
"Oh. hes strong an wiIIin'-and h
wants the work. Frame It up for nj
will yuh7"
"Kin YOU work." the mate inquired
with his hands behind his back, az h
inspected the small visitor.
II kim said that person fatty. TT
mo-
We The mate started tn
Occident's whistle had blown suddenl,
and along her deck was hurrying
heavy, short man with skipper VIZ
larzc upon every line OF him. "Ol
he'll. Take him down with you, Dul
kin, Were going out shoTt-hande'
anyway I'll fix il somehow
whereupon. by gentle pressure. NJ
Durkin piloted Mr.. Johnson away fTol
the official circle and led him 10
stairway well forward. with an air
total familiarity with the premises.
II may be that Mr.. Johnson possesse
certain fixed Ideas as - the interiC
construction Of going craft. II
quite possible that among them wei
white corridors. with endless little nun
bered doors and well-anchOred bras
bedsteads. with baths a few feet ava,
il is possible that the idea include
broad. ornate dining saloons and ham
somely decorated smoking rooms, whe
men puTed away their dollars in 4
hacco smoke and FILTERED away otn
dollars with cards. while servile ste1
ards bowed over their shoulders an
occasionally brought bottles Of fizz
stuff
Did suoh happen TO be the case, NJ