Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-06

next day. You Will be threShed again, II
Jim Starrett is the man he used to be-"
My head had cleared, and | stepped out
of my room and into the forward cabin,
ready and even anxious to prove myself
what | used to be. But before | reached
the after door she had come through it and
faced me. We stood and stared at each
other for a moment. Aside from the tears
in her eyes and the anxiety in her face, she
looked the same to me.
Jim!" she said at last, in choked voice.
Jim, after all these years we meet here! |
just learned that you were on this ship.
didn't know followed my boy by steamer.
You did not know, Jim, either, | am sure.
Oh, Jim! You would have protected my
Johnny had you known! His father is dead,
and Will Pritchard's wife gets it all!'
| had her in my arms as she spoke. And
| kissed her before l answered. Il have pro-
tected him, Fannie; though I did not know,
and almost missed. Come back"
l led her through the door, meeting her
son coming out; but l turned him back,
and we entered the after cabin. Pritchard
was seated at his table, still chuckling.
Bill | said sternly, while his face So
bered. Il just heard Fannie predict that l
would thresh you again. Now, threshing
won't do you any good; though I'm willing
to administer it if need be. But l think
when I'm through talking you won't make
it needful. I'll do better than thresh you,
Bill. I'll break you'll"
what do you mean?' he demanded.
Remember, you are in my cabin-an in
terloper."
@Not while the owner of this ship permits
me to remain | said, with smile. "Mr.
young man, shave your permission to re-
main?'
Something in my face encouraged him.
Certainly" he answered.
"Bill Pritchard,' | said, didn't you say
something awhile back about giving me
plenty of rope-to hang myself WITH"
He did not answer.
Il used the rope, Bill but not to hang my
self: to hang you. You should have held
onto little of that rope: you should have
attended to the navigation of your ship.
But you left it to me. Bill, you've lost"
HIS mouth opened slightly, while be-
wildered look, which was partly look
of enlightenment, came to his face. Still
he did not speak.
3Mr. Brand here" 1 continued, awas to
inherit certain property if it could not be
proved that he drank until after his twenty
first birthday"
3And he did drink" he snarled dts
down in the log, witnessed by Mr.. Breach
and one of the crew. What are you driving
at?"
Look at your calendar on the bul<head,
Bill What day of the month is it,"
He looked; but did not answer, though
his mouth opened wider.
"Your calendar says the twenty-frst of
December; but if you will 60 ashore you
will find that it is the twenty second. The
boy did take drink, when half dead like
the rest of US. But he took it one hour after
his birthday by solar time, and thirteen
hours after it by sea time. Bill, we crossed
the one hundred and eightieth meridian,
and the date line too, about twelve hours
before you served grog. We were in the
eastern hemisphere, and skipped day.
This boy never had twenty-first birthday
He jumped from the eighth of the month
to the tenth. All this boy needs is to go on
to the westward until he gets home"
"You lie!" yelled Pritchard, jumping to
his feet. "You lie!"
Then he got it once more in the presence
of Fannie Folsom. 1t only required the
taking away from him of the pistol as a
preliminary. When it was over, and he
could give me his attention. said:
"Bill, the log states and the logbook con-
tanning the entries and the chart containing
the traverse are in the hands of the Ameri-
can Consul ashore"
T