Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-09-22


II WAS 'sVin reaction, ] wouldn't.
Bread upon the waters, more likely.
Not only bread" sighed the skip
per. but roast beef. an potatoes. an
ale, an'-an' clothes"
Bread wotll come back cake" add
ed the mate.
If it comes back just plain bread
I'll be happy" murmursd the master
of the Mary Smith.
'WOt was the cause O your passion
for this sailor?" the mate demanded;
''wot led you astray into kindness7'
The captain launched into explana-
| ton.
Wilson told me, Just after he sold
the Mary Smith to this man Simp-
was q nice fellow. but awful economi-
cal didn't want to meet him at
GreenpOrt tonight with a crew short
one man. He'd say IL we could make
this trip that way We could make 'em
all. An this Dobbs was the only
excuse for a sailor | could find in
| town
Even then" said the mate. 1t was
terrible reckless. wouldn't a-done
| II. Id ave advised against II. ! wish
| you'd ad my cooler cad there TO ad-
wise you
The captains manner. which had
been one OF deep detection. underwent
q sudden change. He smiled genially.
and slapped the mate on the back.
No. you wouldn't a-dOne IT." he
sneered; AN it's just as well you
wouldn't. You'd have come out the
loser. II takes-well. II takes a bit
o cleverness to pull these things
through. Fortune favors the brave
an daring. an everything they try
comes out all right in the end"
The mate followed the direction OF
his superior's glance. and discovered
three sailormen bundling a very I'M
willing gentleman into the waterman's
skin.
THAT was all put on-my sadness"
explained the skipper; of course I
knew all the time | was coming out
on top
| He walked the deck In the excess of
| y
distance between the pier and the
schooner. and an undignified and kick
ing captive came on board, assisted
by strong arms and willing hearts.
He was small and bearded. with a
churchly expression partially de-
stroyed by the combined effect of a
torn collar. dusty clothes. and a face
purple with rage.
When Captain Roberts got a good
look at the newcomer. his hope sank
and his anger rose.
Who is this man." he demanded of
the crew.
One of the men stepped forward
the pride OF the capture shining in his
face.
Why 'e's the Teller wot stole your
clothes and whites. to be sure" he
said. an n mighty ard customer e
is We"
Shut up. you idiot" roared the
skipper: this amt the man. | don't
know who he is. / never saw him
before"
The crew stood dumbfounded.
Well. il amt our fault" said the
spokesman at last: he fits the de
scriptLon you give US like II was made
fer i'm. A small man. wearin' whisk
| ers. 'oo's very 'omely indeed. an as
blue suit. nearly new"
The other men shook their heads
whereupon the unwilling guest found
his breath sufficiently to speak In
gurgling puffs.
I've seen a few outrages in my
time" he managed to say. but this
heads the list. An I've seen people
suffer. but il their suffering wasnt
pleasure compared to what you're go
ing through. I'LL"
Calm yourself. sir" put in the cap
tain soOthingly. I'm sure it's as great
disappointment to me that you ain't
the right thief. as IT is to you.
apologize most humbly."
The right thief" roared the cap
tive: you internal scoundrel. Ill
Its II mistake. that's ALL" the skip
per broke in; you've been mistOoi
by these lads for ho-for fine-loOk
in man in blue suit that's stole from
nTe. You amt the man. acknowl
edge IT here an now. Nobody coult
be fairer than that"
You'll suffer" began the injured
man.
Il have suffered" Captain Robert!
interrupted, more than words car
say. When saw you dragged
aboard"
Il will waste no more words" said
the stranger; give me your name an
the name OF this vessel"
Captain Roberts OF the Mary
Smith" said that gentleman. prompt
ly. The captain staggered weakly &c
the rail. and grasped it for support
Il suppose Id noticed it," he muir
INJURED, IF | hadn't been so mad
Dragged aboard my own ship by q
gang of ruffians and cutthroats
masQuerading as its crew. Hauled
over the rail. used as a mop for its
deck"
Mr.. Simpkins!" cried the Mortified
skipper.
Elijah Simpkins OF London" con
tinued the enraged owner. come on
from Greenport in time TO learn the
awful truth. Maybe | have discovered
1t at a small cost. after all. What's 9
few ruined clothes and broken bones
compared to finding out your boat ii
manned by pirates? But you'll pay
for II. you can bet on that Well sal
for Greenport at once. and I'll shiI
a new crew there so quick it'll make
your heads swim. You all go, from
captain to cabin boy. I'm convinced
there's not an ounce o. good in one
OF you. Ill go ashore now and gel
my luggage and-and my wife. She's
travelling with NE FOR her--her health
Wen want your cabin. captain"
Pleased. I'm sure.' lied the I'M
happy skipper.
Amid an awed silence, the might,
Simpkins lowered himself into the va
termans skin. casting many blscl
, looks behind. After his departure tn
crew continued to stand with opel
mouths. the mate smoked aggressive