The Bozeman courier., 1927-08-05

ing at it all morning. In the afternoon
took him down the beach and showed
him how to sail her. But he didn't need
much showing, I'm telling you. She's only
capsized two or three times and she's got
no keel to speak Of.
'You want to know what he said to
me after she went over the first timer"
he asked, pride in the rising infection Of
his voice. She needs weight on the
bottom, daddy What do you think Of
that?
at suggested he could take of some OF
her sail and what do you suppose he
said to that? Your spoil her, daddy
taking the sail of and she'll go better II
you just weight her on the bottom"
He'll take no reefs" Suttle chuckled.
''That he WON'T" agreed Jess. and went
forward to hunt up old Tarboy and tell
the story all over again.
After awhile he talked so much about
his boy that men at the wharf got the
habit Of hailing him with, "How's the
youngster, Jess?"; when you shippin'
that new mate, Tiverton?"; or Just,
Flows the new mate maxim out to
home?" They poked no fun at Jess
Tiverton because OF his enthusiasm; they
knew the man too we'll for that. And
Jess, recognizing their interest as sincere,
basked in the sunshine Of their friend
ship and his own hopes.
When Young Jess was twelve years old
he went his first trip to sea on the last
voyage the Blue Belle ever made. It was
July, with schooling at an end until au-
tumn, and Jess figured the boy was old
enough to make start. He had been
talking about it for weeks, making up
to Suttle, who by this time knew from
the captains telling the youngsters every
mood and characteristic.
With his father, Young Jess went down
to the boat at T-Wharf late one after
noon when the Blue Belle was iced and
hnrFinu
when the breeze sprang up at sundown.
He was little fellow for his age with fair
hair inclined to curl down over his fore
head and eyes as deeply blue as his
mothers. His father took him aboard
and introduced him all around.
"a good hand and bound to be a real
fisherman" Jess said.
Think you're goin' to like shippin' on
smelly old fish boat?" Tripper Tarboy
asked him.
you bet I am" the little chap an
swered.
Before the Blue Belle sailed word got
about the wharf that Jess Tiverton's
! prospective mate had finally arrived and
number of men from the other boats
came to wish him well.
The vessel went down the harbor with
the sunset, old Tripper Tarboy at the
wheel and Young Jess by his side.
You swing her over like this" TrippeT
was saying, "and keep her foremast lean
| IN OQJO G0aG Island Jnere. JnaG'S PeQ-
docks. Here, feel Of her"
Not tall enough to stand over the
wheel, Young Jess spread his arms and
scarcely touched the Spokes on either
side. George Suttle happened along an6
stood for awhile watching the fun.
Hes a-sailin' Of her right enough,
cackled Tripper, his wrinkled hands hold
ing the helm steady.
"That he is" said George. I'm think.
ing I'll have to be looking for new
berth shortly"
1t was the Grand Banks that trip anC
Young Jess. had experienced his spell o.
sickness and caught his sea legs befort
they passed Sable Island. He had tht
spare bunk aft in the cabin with hi
father and Suttle, and what they did no
attempt to teach him about ship
handling and rigging wasn't worth know
ing. He was capable as well as Low
able chap, and the manner in which h
would repeat aloud their instruction
would have been laughable but for tn
sincerity Of his efforts.
The Blue Bellies captain elected to flsl
the south outside shoals Of the Gran
Banks and met with fair success. Youn
Jess went as third dory mate with Tar
boy and Glenn Halliday and learned iron
those old timers how best to snub hi
hooks, bait and lay his trawl lines anc
what is more important, pull them after
wards.
The avidity with which he seized upo
:, every little detail Of knowledge, his eager
y ness to learn and his ability to retail
what they taught him pleased Jess in n
= little degree. Nor was the boys fathC
the only one to experience pleasure /
: the teaching OF Young Jess; Suttle an
! = other members Of the Blue Bellies crey
! particularly Tarboy, took a keen intel
: est in his advancement.
= y Think he's going to make the grades
. Jess asked Suttle one evening of a da
u when the fish had been coming particJ
larly well and the outlook was eXceller
d for an early trip home.
y I'm ready to step out after this trip
= the mate replied, smiling. "He knows
much as I do now."
,s Heavy weather seldom bothers a goC
i fisherman. Given a staunch ribbed We
q sci and the luck Of the feet, those we
IA laid two-masters, ranging anywhere fro