The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-03
THE BLUE OCEANS DAUGHTER c,z, 7.,s.55 5,5z

! The first who clambered through the
gangway was a tall, slender. erect. au-
| MISUNDERSTANDING young man of per
haps fve-and-tWenty. dressed In the
blue-and-white British navy uniform,
which he wore with easy grace and dig
nifty. The single epaulet upon the Shout
der indicated that he was q lieutenant
in his ma1esty's service He wore the
usual sword. pistols and cooked hat.
Hard on his heels came a bedtrked
yOungster. a midshipman, evidently and
following them a dozen seadogs armed
with cutlass and pistols
Followed by the r''dshipman. the Of
ficer turned and ws.s ed aft, while the
seamSn spread themselves about the
deck, in obedience 70 the quick oireC-
lions OF a boatswain's mate Two went
10 tina forecastle; the others occupied in
dicated stations, one old seadOg relieving
the man at the wheel
The crew Of the Hiram and Susan, for
the present left to themselves, hung over
the rail staring at the British ship
Mr.. Conant. from his station on the
poop. made no move TO welcome the OF
fioer. who With brisk steps and an air OF
great nonchalance. rapidly mounted the
ladder.
began.
|, No" bIurted out the mate
''Singulariy courteous person" said the
officer. with an distracted air. as II ad-
pressing the atmosphere Dul pCIAepo
my approach was too abrupt"
He took of his hat and bowed elab-
orately.
Have I the honor he began. with
distinguished courtesy. of addressing
the master OF the ship?"
Il told you once" Erowied the mate,
who was both mystitied and enraged al
the exaggerated pOliteness Of the other,
that 1 was not"
will YOU pardon my excessive stupid
tty and in turn kindly inform me who
and what you are?"
None Of your business rOared the
mate. who had the Yankee hatred Of the
English fully developed
Indeed! Mr.. Merry TO the
midshiDman who had stood by impa-
tenuy enough during the interview
VIII you kindly ask the boatswain's
mate 10 send johnson and PBlIner-I be
lieve they are the two stoutest men in
the creW-up on the pOOpT'
me rnldshipman WAS only too glad 70
transmit the order. to which the two
Seamen, who had heard all respoDded
with aIacrity. The performances haS beer
very tame. so far. and they were hoping
that Providence would be kind TO them
and that the mates III temper might
continue
Perhaps said the officer, pointing
10 COnant, these worthy seaunen NAV
assist you to answer my courteous oues-
tons with proper civility. II you do not
although IL VIII be painful! TO me and to
,
10 the fO'c'sL"
An angry snarl was the only reply.
Meanwhile, MesSrs. Palmer and John
son. two OF the burliest tars that ever
alongside OF the mate At a nod from
the officer Johnson Grew his pistol
Now. sir" began the former, you
perceive the seriousness OF your situa-
ton Who and VIVA are your"
Il m the mate OF this ship"
What is your nane2''
"COnant."
OH Mr. Conart, charmed TO make
your acquaintance. although the cir
cumstances are not altogether favorable
for Unrestrained social intercourse"
ASK me what you want TO know and
femme 60" stammered out the mate,
furiOusly angry at this mcckery-
IN good time. my dear sir. Ny time.
that IS. What Is the name Of the ship?"
The Hiram and Susan"
bound2''
From. Bordeaux to Boston
And what is your Cargo2'
It's In the manifest, below in the cap
tain's cabin"
But / am here. my good sir"
"DamnatiOnT' gTOwled the mate.
a poor lading, and one that is apt 70
bring you TO hell sir" commented the
officer, with annoying gravity.
silks and wines and jimcracks and
winners hxin's," said Mr.. Conant.
desperately.
"Oh. that IS almost ss dangerous a
cargo" was the reply OF the English
man, who seemed to have a pretty wit
though the mate found him not at eli
humorous
The seamen, who had heard with
great enjoyment everything that had
gone on, broke into a cheer.
Very gOOd-very good" continued
the young man, smiling at the en-
thusiasm OF his men; and, indeed, he
himself was enjoying the situation
greatly. And you said you were the
mate. Where is the captain2
Dead Killed by your hrst broad
side"
What was his name2'
Hiram Hubbeu"
How quaint said the officer.
such a name ought almost to make
him willing TO die. And Susan?"
lis wife,
rs she"
Dead too" said the mate.
well. you made a fine fight for your
ship" said the officer. ut went hard
with that boarding party night before
last That was handsomely done, but
yoC were foolish this morning"
That's not my business" said the
mate. gruffly. Captain HuggeI gave
the orders. II was his ship
81 see Well. we won't blame him
now that he's dead, but what he could
have thought Of in attempting to en-
gage at piStOl-shOt distance with a
frtgste like ours l can't see. Our