Mr. Trunnell

e time for anything else. Much of this work could have been avoided had the ship been under better command when she cleared, but Trunnell

ut in the short hours of the dog-watch in the evening I had a chance to talk with

ne watch had to be on deck every night from twelve until four in the morning, it would mean that the other watch would be on deck from four to eight, and consequently would have to do all the washing down of decks and other work which occurs upon every

ugh to get any one to take her out. He, however, checked up Trunnell's sights every day and commented upon their accuracy with much freedom, finding fault often, and cautioning him to be more careful in the future. This somewhat perplexed the mate, as he always made his reckoning by rule of thumb, and could no more change his method than work out a problem in trigonometry. The third mate, on the other hand, was quite shy. I noticed what I had failed to note before, and that was the peculiar feminine tone of his voice and manner. He never swung his hands or lounged al

Trunnell and I happened to be standing aft near

this cleat?" asked Trunnell, poin

. "What did

ber no

e there is anything wr

uer

I seen them last," said Trunnell. "What in Davy Jones would a skipper of

g a cleat a timber noggin besides that of not knowing

at out before we get to the west'ard o' the Agullas. Mind ye, I ain't making no criticism o' the old man. I never does that to no superior officer, but wh

him, and he wa

e skipper, but to pint out that we're in for some rough times if things don't change aboard in the sailorin' line afore we gets to the west'ard o' the Agullas. Sink me, if that ain't so, for here we is without half the sails bent an' no new braces, nothin' but two-year-old m

d rate. The phosphorus shone brilliantly in the water, and the wake of the ship was like a path of molten metal, for the night was quite dark and the heavy banks of clouds which had been making steadily to the westward over-spread the sky. It was nearly time for t

I'm that scared o' them I can raise them afore their topmast is above the horizon. Sink me,

ked; for although I had come to the same conclusion so

that the fellow's pants are entirely too big in the heft for a man. An' his voice! Sink me, Rolling, but you never

suggested gentl

ided to give me his confidence. Then he resumed his walk athwart the deck, a

d I wondered why the skipper had not come on deck to take a look

rough the gathering gloom. As we had always been separated on account of being in different watches,

night, hey?

inute, during which time his face underwent many changes

r," sa

hat I expected, s

The wind's falling all the time, and if it keeps o

ked the young fellow, in a superior tone, while at the same t

g an American sailor, I had little use for r's in every word which held an a but I had no objection to any one else t

s when they could be of much more benefit to people generally if they stayed home and help

I looked over the poop rail down to the main deck beneath, but saw no

a person is good at baking cake, or 'barking cark,' as you choose to call it, the sea is a good

uperior air and the feeling that I might make a mistake after all and incur the displeasure o

rable acknowledgment I had expected, and there was a distinctly disagreeable feeling creeping upon me while in this neu

istinction of belongi

hy

s of discernment regarding the relativ

at extent," said the third officer in his softest tones, and again I fancied I heard the v

ggy head and glancing toward the break of the poop. A step s

his quick eyes took in both Tru

ell o' weather if the wind kee

right one, and I call to mind many a time I'd give someth

ettin' her down gradual like to her torps'ls if the glass keep

e shorter-see? The sooner the quicker, eh? Supposen the question was asked you, Mr. Rolling, what'd you say, hey? Why is Mr. Trunnell like a lady's bouquet, hey? Why is the

d. The fellow at the wheel, Bill Spielgen, a square-cut man with an

aisy," rapped out the

ha, ha, ha! Split me, i

unnell; you're a dai

he was well set up. Trunnell went to the break of the poop and called out for the watch to clew down the fore and mizzen skysails. H

head, Bil

no'the,"

ster's. His glinting eyes grew to two little points and his hooked nose wrin

toed, lantern-jawed swab? Would you like me to rip you up the back, or lam some of the dirt

in a more conc

at matter, while I'm aboard this boat, and if you forget to mention my title of

l, taking a fresh grip upon t

beggar aboard this here boat.

r," said the

runnell would say, I'll tell you a little story

ay. I turned in ready for a call, thinking that perhaps Trunnell