The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-07-02

1850
John, shut then you can't keep the
crew from knowing. And they're
queer lot on the subject of treasure.
have some of the funniest supersti-
tons. hope you won't have any
trouble with them"
Had any experience In handling
niggers?" asked Charlie.
Not the least"
"That makes me wish / were coming
with you. They are rum beggars. Aw-
full towards. and just like pack of
children. You know about sailing
anyhow. That's a good thing. You
can captain your own boat, II need be.
That's all to the good. Particularly
II you strike any dirty weather. But
let me give you one word of advice:
BE kind. OF course. with them-but
keep your distance all the same. And
be careful about losing your temper.
You get more out of them by coax
ing-hard as II Is. at times. And. by
the way. how would you like to take
old Sailor with your"
"Sailor" was great Labrador re-
triever, who at that moment turned up
his big head with devoted sigh from
behind his masters chair.
Rather" / said. So "Sailor" was
thereupon enrolled as further addi-
ton to the crew.
"Old Tom" the cook. was first on
hand next morning. i took to him at
once. A simple, kindly old "darky" of
"Uncle Toms Cabin" type. with faith
fulness written all over him. and GER
tain sad wisdom In his old face.
you'll find Tom great cook" said
Charlie. patting the old man on the
shoulder. 'Many trip we've taken
together after duck, haven't we, Tom?"
"That's right, sub. That's right"
said the old man, his eyes twink!ing
with pleasure.
Then came the captain-Capt. Jabez
Williams-a younger man. with an In
telligent, self-respecting manner, some
what noncommittal. busineSslike, evil
IDENTIFY not particularly anxious as to
whether he pleased or not, but looking
competent and civil enough.
Next tsillt TIE tnElnttI, ~ NOunE
hulking bronze giant. splendid phys
ical specimen. but rather heavy and
sullen and not over-intelligent to look
at. The deckhand proved to be a
shackly, rather silly, effeminate fellow,
suggesting idlocy, but doubtless wiry
and good enough for the purpose.
While they were busy getting up the
anchor of the Maggie Darling l went
down into my cabin TO arrange various
odds and ends, and presently came the
captain, touching his hat.
There's a party" he said, outside
here wants to know If you'll take him
passenger to Spanish Wells"
"We're not taking passengers" an
swered, "but will look him over"
A man was standing up in row.
boat, leaning against the ships side.
you'd do me a great favor, sir" he
began to say in a soft, ingratiating
voice.
looked at him with a start of rec
ognition. He was my pockmarked
friend, who had made such an unpleas-
ant impression on me at John Saun-
ders' office. He was rather more gen.
tlemanly looking than he had seemed
mt the first view, and j saw that,
though he was a halfbreed the white
blood predominated.
'T don't want to intrude," he said,
"but / have urgent need Of getting to
Spanish Wells, and there's no boat GO
ing that way for a week. I've just
missed the mail"
81 didn't think of taking any passen-
gers" 1 said.
II know" he said. 81 know It's
great favor 1 ask" He spoke with
certain cultivation of manner. ''But
am willing of course to pay anything
you think well for my food and my
passage"
/ waived that suggestion aside and
stood irresolutely looking at him, with
no very hospitable expression In my
eyes, / dare say. But really my dis
taste for him was an unreasoning pref
udice, and Charlie Webster's phrase
came to my mind-"His face is against
the poor devill"
II certainly was.
Then at last I said surely not over
graciously: Every well. Get aboard.
You can help work the boat" and
NTH that Y turnad owov IN my cabin