Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22
yJUKES
Continued From Fourth Page

took q bottle from his pocket and held 1t out
TO Jukes.
Uttering q low coughing grlnt, Jukes struck
sAvagely at the crimp. The bottle fell and
broke upon the deck. Cursing JukeS, the
crimp beat hasty retreat
with q half pannikin of unspilled liquor in
Il, the lower half Of the bottle remained up
right against the windlass.
All Jukes looked down. Nostrils quivaring,
fingers twitching, he uncertainty approached
the broken bottle. He stopped, lifted the
bottle. and stretched out hand; as If to hurl
Il to the water. He hesitated, drew In his
hand, and shifted. Another moment and he
hung the emptied fragment over the forecastle
Eai
Hey Jukeyl Come on down. o. son!"
called one of his comrades, looking up from
the forecastle.
Jukes descended and entered the forecastle.
His fellows slapped him on the back. The
boarding master thrust q bottle in his hand
As Jukes took 1t, one of his comrades tried
to snatch it from him, and a below Of laughter
yoSe as the sailor went sprawling on the deck.
The bottles passed around.
mo more ships for me-" said one.
"Nor me, boys" said another.
JukeS drank silently
RY and by the sailors shouldered their sea
and his crimp from the forecastle Jukes
towering needless among them, they showed
and elbowed one another aside, making for the
boat. Pointing to other ships near by, they
cursed them They cursed the ship they
left They chartered confidingly to the board
ing master, who promised them one and all an
easy job on the land. AS Jukes grasped the
stroke oar and set the pace ashore they shouted
their approval.
"or Jukey!" they cried, and Good OIL
Jukey!"
They laughed to see the way the boat drove
through the water with Jukes' great muscles
Surging her along. They jumped ashore and
turned their backs forever on the sea. Without
y glance behind, they followed Jukes across
the street; Jukes at the boarding masters heels,
the crimp behind them ALL
Hours passed. Besotted sailors lolled on dirty
cots about a dirty room. They quarreled,
forgot their quarrels and embraced each other.
They smoked, and spat, and sang. The leering
crtmp came in and went, and came, and went
again, and called them each by name-quick-
fitted names.
Ere, ole Cork-fender. lap it up now! It's
good for sailors gizzards"
Gimme yer empty glass ere, Queer-fellow!"
young Brandy shanks you've 'ad enough!
You're young Another? All right then
WOt'd yer mommer say?"
Jaw, haw! haw! haw!"
Drink hearty, Jimmie Bilge! There's plenty
more"
Ignoring their quarrels and embraces, taking
no part in their noisy songs, ALI Jukes held out
his glass for filling and refilling. The crimp
winked at him deferentially
Evening came. Save for loud snores heavy
breathing, and now and then q mumbled
sleepy oath, the room was quiet. Steady
handed still, Jukes stood erect amidst the
Wreckage OF his follows and emptied his glass;
In the barroom adjoining the boarding
master reached black bottle from beneath the
bar ALT Jukes came from the back room as
he replaced it. Resolve in his face he stepped
toward the street.
Three brimming glasses stood upon the bar
Lifting one to his own lips, the boarding master
pushed another out toward JukeS
Here, big boy! Don't run of so soon!" he
quickly called
Jukes stopped and hesitatingly looked toward
the bar. The crimp and boarding master raised
their glasses.
Jukes took the proffered glass, lifted. and
drained it in one long, straight swallow: then
turned and strobe toward the street door again
Midway he staggered
The boarding master and the crimp came
from behind the bar. They lifted Jukes car
ried him to the dusky street, and dumped him
in their boat.
THAT fills her crew." growled the boarding
master with nod to the riding light of a
ship at anchor close inshore
Dawn was breaking Stars were fading.
Mastheads of anchored ships swayed easily
against the opening sky. A ships mate banged
upon the forecastle door, reused his crew. A
drowsy sailor lurched off to the galley fetching
the morning coffee.