Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-06


the main deck through the forward companionway.
Gordon standing at the break of the poop directly
over this entrance to the cabin having his spirit of ad
venture In the excitement of the scene when he heard
"After EN-, Boy After 'em, Hector! Eat EN- up!
Sick emf
The next instant the dog eaped into the passengers
sight and bolted at two sailors who snatchng their
way into the mizzen rigging. cry of warning froze in
Gordons throat but had he been able to give it
utterance it would have been too late The beast
on its hind legs like bear it reached the first
In flash, with claws and fangs, it had his oskns
from him. 1t clawed at the second man; but terror
lifted him out of reach
"Forard, Hector! Bite the oilskns Boy" shouted
Benson in unmstakable glee.
The dog bounded barking along the weather side of
the deck He stripped one of the sailors at the main
rigging of his oskns he split the coat of another from
collar to tail Not until every sailor deck had been
driven above the rail did Benson call the dog off.
Going below shortly afterward, Gordon could not
help overhearing Benson talking to the dog.
Now Hector, he said, "the dirty beggarsn patron
ize the slopchest'
The second mate that evening became the interpreter
of that speech and also of the of the afternoon.
Its his way of compelling the men to buy new oil
SKINS from the sopchest-the ship supplies, he told
Gordon
but in the suppressed tone that had become
everybody in the vessel when Benson the subject
of comment conversation.
Il wonder he be just sour, is it Insanity"
whispered Moore as much to himself to Allen and
Gordon
"Insane with hatred of himself and all mankind
agreed with him.
THEREAFTER, whenever it rained, Benson and the
dog appearance drum up trade for the slop-
chest These occasions not inrequent as the ship
sped through shortening days the South Atlantic
toward Cape Horn. With the exception of the red
headed sailor, Dennis Flaherty by name of the
offered reprisal attempted retaliation Attacked
by Hector, Faherty threw iron Delaying pin at the
brute 1t went wide of its mark and smashed port
glass in the second mates Benson this from
to direct his torturing of the fore theast hands He
called Hector inside the cabin and went to playing the
melodeon.
But unobserved by those aft Benson must have been
forever the qui vive for the third fourth day
after this incident he summoned the second mate
where's that redheaded fellow in your watch been
for the past couple O. days?' he asked.
Laid up in his bunk, Sir. Says he's SICK Sir"
sick eh' Soldering or trying to stir up trouble
likely Come with me-
The skipper led the way forward and plunged into
the focse without word of warning 1t was luncheon
time, and both watches gathered there.
The passenger took position in the lee poop gang
way his eyes and strained forward in expectation
of battle or murder, perhaps Silence reigned for
moment, and then the Irish sailor emerged at Aliens
heels, with Benson bringing up the rear
aPoor sailormans sck' said the skipper with leer
looking up at Gordon the poop.
Flaherty radiant with health and conscious of hav
ing been caught soldering, hung his head
Been sick three days poor man., Benson continued
cruelty, @and didn't know it, Living off salt beef and
pork. Isn't good for the sick, that kind o victuas'
@But I'm well now, Sir protested Flaherty.
"No, no. we got bad fever, Mani" said Benson, and
he pushed the sailor ahead of him into the cabin.
Flaherty installed spare stateroom adjoining
Gordons For two days he kept there pleading
for mercy the while he piled with medicine chest
doses prepared by Benson and administered with the
assistance the steward On the evening of
second day Flahery staggered forward drawn and pale
and his legs as limp as two ropes ends.
"Mind now it's ye not l. who says we're better"
Gordon and Allen heard Benson say to him. aI've
treated We right, like officer and gentleman; put We