Evening star., 1935-06-09

I'm CASE you never saw one. Id best be
explaining maybe how it is with those
fishermens mufflers. How it was,
- should say; for doubt if you'd find one
today anywhere along the seacoasts. They
were knitted, by hand of course of dark
worsted by the fshermens women. Knitted
double, so that you could tuck one end up into
itself and wear it as a cap, with the rest of its
six or seven-foot length wound round your
neck a few times. and tucked down inside
your Jacket all across your chest. There never
or Horn.
Those fishermen's muff1ers we're not plenti-
full in the square-rigged ships. They we're
right enough for use in fishing boats, where no
one has to 60 climbing high up masts. In
square riggers they we're not PRACTICAL as
you'll see for yourself later 1t was only now
and then that you'd find some green first
voyage apprentice boy wearing one.
The muffler I'm telling you of was owned
by little first voyager aboard full rigger
called the Charity. There were eight appren-
tices in her half-deck. Their names don't
matter, save for that of this little shrimp who
owned the muffler, and one other The little
fellows name was Triggs. A pink checked kid,
he was, and you'd know by the look of him as
he came over the gangway, with his sea bag
on his shoulder, that he was thinking, "Some
day I'm going to be captain. A soft handed
little chap, fresh from home and mother and
all that sort of thing.
The name of the eldest apprentice in the
Chdrity's half-deck was Pike He was lanky,
lean, black-haired, with thin lips and long
nose. He'd whining sort of voice and surv
brown eye. Wiry as steel he was. having made
three voyages already. And proud! Well, call
it conceit rather. Conceit was ever part of the
makeup of bully. which is what Pike was.
When Triggs came over the Charity's gang
way, Pike and the other apprentices and the
able seamen were aloft with the mate bending
the mainsail Ear tips were nippy, noses chill
The ship was going to sea in an hour or So The
crewd all kissed their girls goodbye the
evening before, and by now had forgotten all
about them of course, and were talking of the
girls of Callao, whittier the ship was bound.
Talking and laughing, all but Pike
There was rope that had gotten foul in the
rigging, so that they were having hard time
with the sail. "You, Pike" said the mate, get
down and clear that rope"
Just as Pike reached the deck along came
little Triggs, sea bag on his shoulder and
friendly grin on his face.
What the devil are you grinning about?"
asked Pike, and booted little Triggs.
II beg your pardon. didn't mean any
thing wrong" said little Triggs.
"By gravy. I'll teach you manners. You
say sir when you speak to me, snarled Pike,
and booted the kid again
Certainly. Sir. beg your pardon, Sir
I'm sorry, Sir" said Triggs.
"Cut out your CAB! You're too blasted long
winded." snapped Pike. He cleared the rope
and went back aloft.
"You there, my lad!' shouted the mate to
little Triggs. Get into working togs and come
up here and lend hand!'
Into the half-deCk went Triggs, and came
out in jiffy wearing dungarees On his head
was this fisherman's muft1er. Up he climbed,
andstepped out onto the footrope. beside Pike