Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-03-30
CHAPTER x.

I
"Right-o." replied Captain scragg'
cheerily, Though when was young
feller and first went to sea, 1t wam''
considered no pleasantrys to- spit on
nice clean deck. You might cut thai
out, Glib. It's vulgar"
"Passin' over the fact. Scraggs, tha,
YOU ain't got no call to Jerk me up or
sea ettycat. more particular since I'm
tho master and managin' owner Of thii
here schooner, I'm free to confess
Scraggsy, that your observation does
you credit. Just did that to see II
you was goin' to take as big an inter
est In the new Maggie as you did In
the old Maggie, tnd the fact that you
object to me expectoratin' on the deck
proves to me that you're leavin' behind
you all them bay scow tendencies OF
the green.pea trade. 1t leads me to be-
lieve that you'll rise to high rank and
distinction in the Colombian navy.
Your fn, Scraggsy. Expectoratin' on
the decks is barred, and the Maggie II
goes under navy discipline from now
on. Am I rightr'
"Right as a right whale" said Cap
tain Scraggs. "And now that you've
given that old mate of mine the course,
and we've temporarily plugged up the
holes In this here Mexican gunboat,
and everything points to safe and
profitable voyage from now on, sup
pose you delegate me as committee
of one to brew +scuttle Of grog. after
which the syndicate holds mettin'
and lays out course for Its future
conduct. There's a few questions Of
rank and privileges that ought to be
settled once and for all, SO there can't
be no comeback"
"The point is well taken and 1t Is
So ordered" said Mr.. Gibney, who Ind
once held office In Harbor Is, Master
and Pilots Association Of America. and
knew fragment or two Of parlia-
mentary law. "Rustle up the grOg. call
McGufrey up out of the engine room,
and we'll hold the meetln'."
Twenty minutes later Scraggs came
on deck to announce the successful
OF a kettle Of whisky punch;
whereupOn the three adventurers went
below and sat down at the cabin table
for conference.
II move that Glib be appointed presi-
dent of the syndicate" said Captain
Scraggs.
Second the notion" rumbled Nc
Guffey.
"The notions carried" said Mr.. Glib
ney. and banged the table with his
horny fist. "The meetin' will please
come to order. The chair hereby ap-
points Phineas Scraggs secretary Of
the syndicate. to keep record Of this
and all future meetin's Of the board.
I will now entertain propositions Of
any and all natures, and I invite the
members Of the board to knock the
stopper out Of their jaw tackle and
go to It," .t
II move," said Captain Scraggs. shat
B. McGufrey. Esquire. be, and he is
hereby appointed. chief engineer Of the
Maggie II Mt salary not to exceed
the wage schedule of the Marine En-
gineers' Association Of the Pacific
coast, and that he be voted a
interest in the vessel and
all subsequent profits"
"Second the notion" said Mr.. Glib
ney. "and not to hamper the business
Of the meetin'. we'il just consider that
motion carried unanimous"
B. McGuffey. Esquire, rose. bowed
his thanks, and sat down again, ap-
very muchs confused. 1t was
evident that he Ind something to say,
but wns having difficulty framing his
thoughts in parliamentary language.
"Heave away, Mac. said Mr.. Glib
ney.
"Cast off your lines. McGufrey,"
chirped Scraggs.
Thus encouraged. McGuffey rose,
bowed his thanks once more, moistenetl
his lnrnyx with 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 unwerthy
secretary leads me to believe tina,
there's g0in' to ibe trouble. A shIr
divided agin herself must surely &c
on her beam. ends. Now, scraggsy
here has been master 80 long that the
Juice Of authority has sorter soaked
into his marrer bohes. For twenty
years It's been 'Howdy do, Captain
Scraggs,'. Have "a drink. :. Captair
Scraggs.' Captain Scraggs this an
Captain Scraggs that don't mear
no Oirense. gentlemen, when I stat,
that you can't teach an old dog new
tricks. No man that's eSer ,Seen I,
master makes good ,mate. ION til,
other hand, realize that Glib her,
has been a-pantin' and a-bellyachin
all his life to get ship of his. owl
an have folks call him Captain Glib
ney.' Now that he's gone an don,
1t. I say he's entitled to It. But tn,
fact Of the whole thing is, Gibbs tn,
natural lender Of the expedition OF
whatever it's goin' to be. and he can,
have his peace Of mind wrecked ant
his plans disturbed a-chasIn' sailor.