The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-27
A Romance of The South Seas
| BY JACK LONDON
Copyright. 1910. by Street 6 Smith Copyright. 1911. by the Maemillan Compan

"Well, who'd have believed it! I've seen few unlikely things in these SoIomons-rats two feet long. butter flies the commissioner hunts with shotgun, ear ornaments that would shame the devil and head hunting devils that make the devil look like an angel. I've seen them and got used to them. but this young woman of yours"-
 Miss Lackland is my partner and part owner of Berande," Sheldon in- terrupted.
 4 'So she said." the irate skipper dash ed on. "But she had DO papers to show for it. How was 1 to know? And then she's hired them drunken loafers, three of the worst scoundrels that ever disgraced the Soiomons- 15 quid a month each-what dye think of that? And sailed away with them too! Phew. You might give me drink The missionary won't mind. I've been on his teetotai hooker four days now. and I'm perishing."
 Dr.. Welshmere nodded In reply to Sheldons look of inquiry. and Viaburi was dispatched for the whisky and si- phons.
 Ut is evident, Captain Oleson." Shel- don remarked to that refreshed mari- ner. ''that Miss Lackland has run away with your boat Now please give a plain statement of what occurred"
 Right 0. Here goes. I'd just come in on the Flibberty. She was on board before dropped the hook-in that whaleboat of hers with her gang of Tahiti heathens. that big Adamu Adam and the rest. Don't drop the anchor. Captain OIeson.' she sang out. I want you to get under way for Poonga- Poonga.' l says. Excuse me. Miss Lackland.' and yells for'ard Let gor
 'And then we had 1t out. I didn't be- Heve her. l didn't think you'd take her on as partner. and told her as much and wanted proof. She got high and mighty. and. told her 1 was old enough to be her grandfather and that wouldn't take gammon from chit like her. And then ordered her of the Fhbberty. Captain Oleson.' she says. sweet as you please, I've a few minutes to spare on you, and I've got some good whisky over on the Emily. Come on along. Besides. want your advice about this wrecking business Everybody says you're a crackerjack sailorman'-that's what she said 'crackerjack. And went in her whale boat. Adamu Adam steering and look. ing as solemn as funeral. F Ion the way she told me about the Martha and how she'd bought her and was going to float her. She said she'd chartered the Emily and was sailing as soon as could get the Fdb- berty under way. l was to sail direct for Poonga-P -Poonga and if l couldn't take her word that she was your part ner she'd get along without me and the Flibberty. And right there's where she fooled me.
 Down in the Emily's cabin was them three soaks-you know them Fowler and Curtis and that Brahms chap. Have drink.' says she. l thought they looked surprised when she unlocked the whisky locker and sent nigger for the glasses and wa ter monkey. But she must have tip ped them off unbeknownst to me, and they knew just what to do. Excuse me- she says: I'm going on deck minute.' Now, that minute was half an hour. hadn't had drink in ten days.
 Well. anyway. at the end of the half hour down she came again and took a good squint at me. sThat'n do nicely remembered her saying. and with that she took the whisky bottles and hove them overside through the companionway. That's the last she, said to the three soaks. till the Mar tha floats and yon're back in Guvutu. It'll be a long time between drinks And then she laughed.
 ''She looked at me and said-not to me. mind you. but to the soaks: It's time this worthy man went ashore'- me! Worthy man! Fowler she said. just tell Adamu Adam to man the whaleboat. and while he's taking Cap tain Oleson ashore have your boat put me on the Flibberty. The three of you sail with me. so pack your dun- mage. All hands got me over the side.
 
 and it seems to me went to sleep sit ting in the stern sheets and watching that Adamu steer. Then 1 saw the Flibberty's mainsail hoisting and heard the clank of her chain coming in. and l woke up. Here. put me on the Flibberty.' 1 said to Adamu. T put you on the beach, said he. 'Missie Lackaianna say beach plenty good for you And now I've come to find out whether I'm skipper of the Flibberty or that chit of yours with her pirating. heathen boats crew"
 "Never mind. skipper. You can take a vacation on pay" Sheldon spoke with more assurance than be felt. If Miss Lackland. who is my partner, has seen fit to take charge of the Flib- berty Gibbet, why. it is all right. As you will agree. there was no time to be lost if the Martha was to be got oil. It is bad reef. and any considerable sea would knock her bottom out. You settle down here. skipper. and rest up and get the fever out of your bones. When the Flibberty Gfbbet comes back you'll take charge again. or nnvSeonu