The daily Alaskan., 1921-12-22


 his thanks, and sat down again, ap- parently very much confused. It was evident that he had something to say, but was having difficulty framing his thoughts in parliamentary language
 "Heave away, Mac" said Mir. Glb- ney.
 Cast off your lines, McGuffey," chlrped Scraggs.
 Thus encouraged, McGuffey rose, bowed hIs thanks once more, moistened his larny1 with a gulp of the punch, and spoke:
 "Feller members and brothers of the syndicate: In the management of the deck department of this new craft of Ourn, my previous knowledge of the worthy president and the unworthy secretary leads me to believe that there's goin' to be trouble. A ship divided agIn herself must surely go on her beam ends. Now, Scraggsy here has been master so long that the juice of authority has sorter soaked Into his marrer bones. For twenty years its been 'HOwdy do, Captain Scraggs, Have drink, Captain Scraggs.' Captain Scraggs this an Captain Scraggs that don't mean no offense. gentlemen, when I state that you cant teach an old dog new tricks. No man that's ever been master makes a good mate. On the other hand, l realize that GIb here has been a-pantln' and a-bellyachin' all hls life to get ship of his own an have folks call him Captain Gib- ney.' Now that he's gone an done 1t, l say he's entitled to 1t. But the fact of the whole thing Is, Gib's the natural leader of the expedition or whatever It's gOin' to be, and he can't have his peace of mind wrecked and his plans disturbed a-chasin' sailors around the deck of the Maggie II. GIb Is sOrter what the felleT calls the power behind the throne. He's too big a fgger for the grade of cap tain. Therefore, I move you, gentle men, that AdeIbert P. Gibney be, and Is hereby nominated and appointed to the grade of commodore, in full con- mand and supervision of all of the property of the syndicate. And l Rl- so move that PhIneas Scraggs be ap- pointed chief navIgatin' officer of this packet to retain his title of captain, and to be obeyed and respected as such by every man aboard with the execution of me and Gib. The pres ent mateTI do the navIgatln' while ScragCsy's learnin' the deep sea stuff"
 Second the notion" said Captain Scraggs brlskly. "MCGuffey, your ar gument does you heap of credit. It's-lt's-dog my cats, McGunfey, It's masterly. It shows a keen apprecia- tlon of an old shippers feelins and If the move Is agreeable to Gib, I'm wlllln' to hall him as commodore and fight to maintain his office. I-I dun no. Glib. what I'd do If didn't have a mate to order around"
 "Gentemen," said Mir. Gibney, beam- lDR. tue lllbllDll S Ndl ANu AAAaAAL-A' Captaln-chlef-y fins. Dock me. I'm honOred by the handshake. Now, regarding that crew you brought down from San Francisco on the old Mag gle. Scraggs, they're a likely lot and will come In handy if times Is as live Iy in Colombia as I figger they will be when we arrive there. Captain Scraggs you will have your mate pipe the crew to muster and ascertain their feelln's on the subject of takin' a chance with Commodore GIbney. If rhev object to goin' further. we'll land 'em in Panama an pay 'em of as agreed If they feel like foIlowIn' the JoIIv Roger we'll give 'em the coast seaman's scale for a deen-water cruise and a five per cent bonus in case VIC turn a big trick"
 Captain Scraggs went al once on deck. Ten minutes later he returned To report that the mate and the four seamen elected to stick by the ship.
 Bully boys" said the commodore bully boys. l like that mate. Hes q smart man and handles a gun well. While l should hesitate to take ad- vantage of my prerogative as commo- dOre to Interfere with the normal work ms of the deck department, l trust that on this special occasion our es- teemed navigatin' officer, Captain Scraggs will not consider 1t beneath his dignity or an attack on his office If I suggest to him that he brew an other kettle of grog for the crew." "Second the notion" replied Me Guffey.
 Carried" said Scraggs. and pro- ceeded to heat some water.
 Anything furtherT stated the pres ldent.
 How about uniforms?" This from Captain Scraggs.
 "We'l leave that to Gib," suggested McGuffey. Hes been in the Coombl- an navy and he'll know just what to get us"
 Well, there's another thing that's got to be settled" continued Captain WNv.N aaNA