Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17

so much Of Chambers abuse Of the
mate, muttered something about Tin
Eye getting left, If he expected to reap
reward for what had been done.
"Gettin' all hands roasted" he grurl-
bled so that Tin Eye must hear him. 1t
was young Pitt who showed the fellow
from the bridge and bade him hold his
tongue.
Tin Eye went to see Chandler.
1t was a wreck Of a man he saw.
Reaction from high alcoholic stimulus
to cold sobriety in such circumstances
had left Chandler almost lifelesS. The
steward pottered about helplessly,
bottle of ammonia in one hand and a
swab of dripping olive oil in the other.
Hes dyin', amt he, sir? He never
refused brandy before" the man whined.
Tin Eye thought so. He had little
hope. 1t would be no reproach upon
any man, If that poor collapsed thing
never opened eye again. If he did not.
well, many and many thing old Tin
Eye could think of would be squared
up. If the ship steamed direct for
home, instead of making the nearest
port to land the people, Chandler would
undoubtedly die. Tin Eye would carry
the ship home. They could not refuse
him a command then. If he got
Chandler into hands able to save his
life, he had little to hope for. There
was a change, certainly, in Chandler
just before he collapsed. But that, no
doubt, was simply approaching weak
ness. Well again, he would assuredly
carry on his riding of Tin Eye until
he bounded him out of the employ.
Tin Eye did not dwell upon the
theme. There was but one thing to
do in his code, the code of the clean,
deep waters. He drove the steamer as
he once drove the barque. Landed the
rescued. On the way he administered
what aid he could to stem the ebbing
tide of Chambers life.
X \
A CROSS the sea to home Chandler.
having been treated in port by
a navy surgeon, lay in the little can
vas hospital rugged on the bridge deck.
Toward the end of the massage he could
talk. Later, walk a bit. He walked
like a ghost. He talked family and
haltingly. He never talked to Tin Eye.
The old mate watched him narrowly,
sometimes as If hoping for a word;
wondering what might be the signifi-
canoe of the strange look in Chambers
eyes.
When the pilot came on board
Chandler got up to look hungrily at
the home coast. Tin Eye made his re-
over to her legal master Chandler
grinned family, and hesitated: then
nodded without a word. and Tin Eye
resumed his duties as mate. quiet and
grim. What the end might be he mel
Their knew nor cared much now. His
bowed old back was Injured to a burden.
Chandler entered his ship. He came
on board next morning with the owner.
Still he had nothing to say to his chief
mate. But the owner remained for
moment when the CAPTAIN left.
Cant. Chandler has given me n
splendid report of you, Mr.. Murray"
he said. II have forwarded his rec
concentration to the right people, and
you'll hear about that piece of work
YOU did out in the islands. Meanwhile
Chandler needs rest When he's well.
he'll take our new ship. You'll take
this ship out next voyage, Capt. Muir
ray, and Capt. Chandler suggests that
we put few lads on board to get ex-
discovered that age may teach youth
manv things"
I'm obliged to Capt. Chandler, sir.
and thank YOU" said old Tin Eye
simply 1T think perhaps age doesn't
give youth all the credit 1t deserves
Give and takes the thing, sir. I've
learned that verv recently"
Cnandier awaited the owner on the
wharf. And old Tin Eye. watching the
owner leave. with something of honest
pride in his stout old heart, surprised
Chandler gazing straight at him. 1t
was but flash Of vision. for Chandler
turned hastily away Brief it was, but
in that instant old Tin Eve MURRAY
detected again that strange look which
he had seen in Chambers eyes so fire.
duently of late And he knew what
it was now. 1t was plain. honest shame.
Copyright, 1927