The spectator., 1919-02-21

spoke in n jibbering patois which I could not | derstand. Some of them could speak pretty good English. The kids, averaging from seven to fifteen years, were running around naked, or diving off the dock for pennies which we threw overheard.
 About two hours before sailing from St. Lucia, little fellow about fifteen years of age came to the entrance of the galley and in fair English told Bill and me q pathetic story of in- human treatment which would have melted hearts of stone. He wanted us to stow him away on the ship. 1 was agreeable, but Bill warned me that this was very grave offense against the English board of trade laws, the maximum penalty being fourteen years imprisonment. I did not wish to incur this risk, therefore would not listen to the entreatieS of the young negro, explaining to. him the penalty of the board of trade laws. Upon hearing this, cunning look, which at the time did not appear sig nificant to me, came into his eyes, and he told me that if I would stow him away, "see how. easy it will be for you" He would do all of my work, and all I would have to do would be to sit on the superstructure and let my feet hang. I thought this was worth risking fourteen years for. so fell in with the plan, Bill objecting.
 The ventilators had been unshipped while the coaiing Twas going on. and were lying aft on the poop deck. Watching our chance, we sneaked aft and hid the'little fellow in one of the ventilators, warning him. upon pain of death, not to make sound until the ship was we'll under way. To say that I was nervous is putting it mildly.
 We cleared St. Lucia and were soon at sea. The islands of Martinique, St. Lucia and Barbados were tiny gray dots on, the horizon when an Italian sailor, Louis Maranto, went aft to ship the ventilatorS. In q few minutes he came rushing forward with terror in l his eyes. As he passed the galley 1 stopped him and asked what was the matter. All he could gasp out was Mary of God. a devil ees on da ship" l "One-eYed Gibson seeing his terror, went aft with him and soon we could ! see him coming forward, leading our little StoWaway by the ear, The little negro was bowling blue murder, and l the curses of the mTte snapped like a l wireless message. Luckily for me the l mate stopped at the galley and Said 1 Keep your eye on this black skunk 1 until I can take him before the old l man." For five minutes l put all my power of ertreaty into my voice and prayed the stowaway to stick by me; i; to swear that he came aboard of his ! Then the mate came after him and took him before the captain. During 1 this fifteen minutes of interview lived in~ar agnny of torment and sus- pense. The little fellow came back with smile on his face and 1 knew l things were all right. He told me that the captain had shipped him at shill- ing a month for the passage. For two days he was detailed to help me in the galley, and I lived the life of a prince. We nicknamed him Monday the day that he came on board. His real name was Charles TaSima Benn.
 On the fourth day, Monday. after peeling bucket of spudS. while l was reading and smoking, threw down his knife and, with a cunning leer, in commanding tone told me to get busy and complete the task; that he wished to rest. I started in to bull doze" him, but he simply held his hand in my direction. fingers extended, and in majestic voice informed me
 "From now on. work for the Ameri- can I will not. Ltell. Meester Captain American Monday slowed away. Mees- ter American to preeson go fourteen years British government l nearly tainted. From that time Bill and were Mondays abject slaves. We even waited on him personally. Any article in my. possession that Monday desired was his for the asking. The steward wormed the secret cut of Monday. and was also his slave. Bill and spent life of hell on board.
 After getting into the tropics lime juice was issued daily to the crew to keep away scurvy. The food was hor.
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