Smyrna times., 1913-05-07
The Stowaway.

1Ne" 1ork. l gave orders To beeva
ahehor' and few moments later ve
passed the Narrows all sails -,
for 1O years had piloted the Sea-
gull and knew her we'll. The crav
We're men whom l had picked and who
nad already made several trips with
me. Still this time there was
strange face among them. II was
open' honest and won my confidence
was just about to enter nv Cabin
when heard a confusion of voice.
from the forecastle.
A sailor came to me with a vorro
man l had never seen before he
was slim and pale. scarcely more than
ooy, and stood trembling before me.
How did you get aboard?" I
growled. Il have half a mind TO
throw you overheard. q"
His lips moved but no sound came
Not word could he say. Then sud.
denly the new sailor, John Archer.
came up. saluted and said:
81 know the boy, Captain He
wanted to come along to Liverpool but
ne had no money. You will find him
smart and willing.
swOre a little, but what could 7
do? Sandy Hook was far behind AL
ready, so | told the sailor to put the
boy to work.
We had a pleasant voyage and had
no reason to complain Of the two new
members of my crew. John Archer
was q splendid sailor, and young Will
liams soon became everybody's favor
ite. He could do no hard work. of
course, but what he was told to do
he did better than any one else ever
did 1t before. After a few days |
made him my personal attendant.
He seemed to have a feeling of
special gratitude towards John Arch
er, though he was pleasant to every
one Of Us. Often | saw him walk up
to his older friend and treat him to
Some of the delicacies with which |
was doing my best to spoil him. He
always hurried through his own worl,
TO give Archer hand. One day the
first mate came into my cabin look
ing solemn.
Captain, he said, 81 think il
was John Archer who persuaded young
Williams TO run away. Last night
happened to ever hear a talk they
had. Archer tried to make him
promise to send a telegram home tell.
ing them ne was all right. William:
cried and turned red in the face wher
he saw me coming. OF course. | die
not let on that he heard anything. a"
My interest in the boy grew, ant
when he came in / asked him ques
tions.
"How did you get the idea to com,
on board? Have you no homer"
"Yes. Captain, - he replied. "bu
was unhappy at home. "
"You. knew Archer before, didn'r
your"
eyes. Captain, he said. anC
blushed. II have known him a Ions
while"
Ibid he persuade you to rur
away?"
"No. he would never do such
thing"
His voice was firmer than l hal
ever heard il before.
. He knew nothing Of my pain. ,
he went on. Il knew he was goini
away with you and I made up m,
mind to come along. / did not ex
pect all the kindness everybody hs
shown me here.
"Is your mother still living?"
eyes, but she thinks | am dead, >
he almost whispered. land it is bet
ter so"
Tears ran down his cheeks and h
did not try to hide them. could no
explain The sympathy felt toward
him.
Next LAY we ran into a storm a
= bad as any l had ever seen on tn
Atlantic. The ship was like a bal
before the fury Of the gale. Tn
= beams creaked and several times
. was afraid the masts would go ovei
board. Williams, whom ! told
stay below, came on deck ana tnroug
the storm / heard Areher's voice
1t was full Of fear and anxiety.
.Get below, =" he cried. "This
no place for a child like YOU
The gale had caused eonsideraol
, damage to the ship. l had just o.
dered the sails reefed closer when
hank of dark clouds arose, telling
still worse weather to come.
Archer rushed forward e carr
out my orders, but Williams WI
quicker still. He was as quick al