Frank on a Gun-Boat

ng the

nks, for that was the steward's name, was a notorious cheat; he never gave the men their full rations. On the contrary, he often boasted that he cleared not less than a hundred pounds of provisions every day. He was the caterer of the steerage mess, and many a pound of flour and apples, which should have been given to the men, found its way to his table, in the shape of pies and puddings. Blinks always rose early, and as soon as he was dressed, the steerage steward, every morning, brought to his room a lunch, consisting of coffee and apple-pie. He was very fond of pies, and had several made eve

f those pies we saw i

rank; "they looke

his voice to a whisper, "we'l

get them?" in

y are made of rightfully belongs to us. I don't care a snap for the pies

who had long wanted an opportun

yours lend us a han

etter than I do. But I'd like to know how we are going to wor

rawl under it. I've put a handspike where I can fin

reed to the proposal. When bedtime came, the three slung their hammocks together, and, to all appearances, were soon fast asleep. At nine o'clock the ship's corporal

lads. Now's

it from the deck, while Archie threw himself on his hands and knees, and crawled in under it. It was as dark as pitch inside the galley, but he knew exactly where the pies were kept, and had no difficulty in finding them. He handed three of them to his cousin, and then crawled out again, and the galley was lowered to its place. After sto

they gone to

visions of double-irons danced before his eyes. "There we

ies, and think that, by telling me they are missin

ks," said the man, with some spirit. "I have always been as careful of your inter

ing things. I'll report you to the executiv

nks hurried to the executive offic

the officer; "perhaps some one broke into the galley. It would b

prised when the steward affirmed that he had found all the doors and windows closed, just as he had left them. This was also reported to the ex

ver lite galley, with instructions to arrest any one who might be discovered prowling around.

ost. They immediately set to work as before-the galley was raised up, and three more pies secured. It was all done in a moment, and the sentinel was not a

to find that some of his pies were again missing. He carefully examined every nook and c

a whole day; and Blinks, in the mean time, was making unavailing efforts to discover the offenders. On the fifth night, Arc

y, Si

y hearty;

find but

impson; "I smell a rat.

handed it out, sa

believe I'll eat a piec

ack toward their hammocks; "not in a hurry; I've been in

u mean?" in

has got some kind of medicine in it that will make a fellow sick. If we

; "let's give it to Jenkins, the boatswain's mate; he's

it," said Simpson. "Now, you go back to y

e where Jenkins was in the habit of slinging his ha

whispered, shaking the

ou want?"

; "I've got a nice pie

nd. "But who are you?" he inquired, for it was so dark that he c

with you, for some one may discover me;" and before Jenkins

y party, he ordered his steward to make a nice large pie, into which he put two doses of jalap. It was his intention to make th

moving slowly about the ship, with a pale, woe-begone countenance; and as

er with you?" in

night, and was afraid he was going to die. The doctor, who knew in a mom

g to see for the last week. Orderly, ask Mr. Blinks

d, looking the very picture of despair, t

" said the doctor, when the payma

you feel by this time? Very pleasant morning, isn't it! I knew I'd catch you, you sc

you mean, sir!" said

n," said Blinks savagely; "di

ered Jenkins, he

ou did, y

given to me, si

't do at all. I'll

tain, who gave him a severe reprimand, and disrated him. He came down on deck, looking very forlorn indeed; and

quaring the yards; I'

e efforts to find Jack Smith. One day he approached Simpson who was seated on a

ow any one aboard he

e utmost gravity, "I don't know

here by that name," s

m. He got me in

s to say, he never