The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-07-09

Gurth, my tirst name. And she's dead---all
these years, she's deadl'
His voice was broken now, and the tears
streaming fast | let him sob IT out, then
asked, I" And your last namc2"
"Never mind" he answered. ~ believe |
am lneal descendant Of Old Red Eric, and
Licf, his son. But do you wonder row that
hate the Scotch, that I lost my command, that
/ drank and went down, and that ] defended
that innocent girl on deck frcm the mate ?
Blind, and as helpless as my own litt.A girl 2
Of course. I'd do it again"
And SO would l." / tapped his irons.
"Ill have these off you before long"
left him and went on deck, intending to
argue the matter with the skipper when he
appeared sober enough to talk And |
found him in this condition near the pinnacle,
not only sober, but anxious OF face. He was
a tall man Of about fifty, and though the
marks Of his recent dissipation bore heavily
upon him, he was still handsome man, with
gray hair and beard that matched his eyes,
and, when not under the influence Of liquoz,
a masterful seaman and navigator.
+ I'VE are to have typhoon, Mr.. Williams" !"
he said to me, ,'as joined him. The barom-
eter's below twenty-nine and it's best to be
ready. We're too shor' handed to wait. ]
wish you were navigator, my lad, and I'd
make you first mate at once, and take sec
, ond from forward"
There was little wind, and the ship rolled
heavily in swell that came from the north
east To the southeast, heavy bank Of dark
gray merged sea and sky into one, and in the
air was the soft, humid sensation that sea-
men call the smell of blow" Without
reference to the barometer I knew that we
were in for reehng match
There's competent mate and navigator
down below, captain" ! said. "lve just
talked to Finnegan. He's held command" :"
"But the law, lad, the law I've noticed
heswas an exceptional sailor man; but if |
release him, what'll he do. What'll say to
the eonsul I've entered the matter in the
official log and then there's the crew"
"Il answer for L, captain, that he does
not run" said Hes hsd lot Of trouble,
and took to whisky"
The captains fecs cleared. "Get him on
deck, he said
gladly unlocked Finnegan- as must
still call him and brought him up.
any man." said the captain, kindly Mr..
Williams informs ME that you're nayigasor-
Have you any discharges1"
"I've lost them all, sir, answered Finnegan.
"Can you take the sun, take chronometer
sights, keep the log, and plot the ships track
on the chart'"
"Not only that, sir, but Great Circle Sail
ing and Lunars."
"Will you promise me not to run when we
get to port, but to appear beiors the consul
with me, if release your"
Il promise, captain" answered Finnegan.
"I've nothing to gain by being fugitive"
"Then get your dunnage put Of the fore.
castle and take mates berth"
".What Over Mr.. Williams. sirl" an
swered the amazed Finnegan. 81 don't like
that"
4Mr Williams is not a navigator, and il
was he who recommended you"
"very well, sir"
"When you've slowed your clothes, shorter
down at once to lower topsails, foretopmas
staysail and reefed spanker."
When Finnegan had gone the captain
turned to me with sigh Of relief. "I'n
glad Of my resolution, Mr.. Williams" h'
said. Its been sore load on my heart t
con6ne that man. And for the offense o
protecting my own daughter against scoun
drel AS for his drinking, well Lord know
we're all weak at bottom"
But emotion gays way to work, FinnegaI
appeared, and for two hours We were busy
} an. ,.-NAkaN>A,. IA