The Skipper's Wooing, and The Brown Man's Servant

he way. He told Sam that it was a load off his mind, and showed clearly by his manner that he expected the syndicate at least to accept his story. They spent most

ions from it, though the discovery that Henry had got hold of it, and had ma

e to the conclusion in their deliberations that the only possible place in which a retired m

ther to the town, "is the drinkin'. Arter I've 'ad five

ok. "We'll do wot the feller did in that

inquired Sa

plied the cook, dwelli

each, then," said Sam,

e cook. "Now do you know

tantly drew a sixpence from his pocket and h

human nature had been largely shaken by a perusal o

y way," said the cook, "so we're goin' in to sell boot

measurin' footmarks, or over-'earing fellers talking

became first restive and then abusive, wind

said the cook coarsel

with my own bootlaces p'raps

-shop, and having found one, walked in, followed by the di

y, as they stood outside, and the cook

t walk in an' 'old 'em up in the people's faces, a

in'," said Sam, wit

'll take the other," said the cook. "And if you look as c

ll, and Sam's heart failed him as he entered it, and, bearing the cook's instructions in mind, held up his wares to the customers. Most of them took no notice, and the only man who said anything to him was a red-nosed sergeant of marines, who, setting his g

n-trade. The stout seaman was utterly unprepared for such kindness, and

benefactor kindly. "Never

t-shop to buy more laces. Taught by experience, he put some of his new stock in his

nd offering his wares in a perfunctory fashion, look

maid with a toss of her hea

most barmaids had treated him with kindness, and in taverns

mate?" said a voic

m, who was never one to

a nod at the barmaid, who was still re

r turned to the bar and gave his order. His eyes beamed softly with a mixture of gratitu

man as he handed him the bread; "and

eat. He noted as a strange fact that starving men nibble gently at the outside crust first, and then start on sma

he door, struggled to perform his part. Then he rose, and murmuring

r, putting down the empty pewter. "You eat that up and

at," said Sam, getting a

seaman knew only too well. He turned smartly and saw the face of Henry p

rtition, and getting one arm over, pointed an accusing finger at Sam, who had been pushed back into his seat

aid the delighted Dick,

on Henry-"one of the best an' kinde

ck he is," a

is," said Henry, "and this

re is sure to be one or two whose self-imposed mission it is to right wrongs, and one of this type present at once suggested retu

n, please," said t

named Murphy and one O'Sullivan, and the riot that ensued took three policemen and a picket to subdue. Sam, glad of a chance to get away, only saw the beg

ue the search or return to the schooner. For a time he strolled on aimlessly, and then, resolving not to be defeated by the impertinences of Dick and the boy, paused before a high-class tavern and went in. Two

" said the big man,

," said S

rive on it," said the

aid Sam, shaking his head

'pose," sai

ir," s

te food last?" co

clearing a soft piece of bread

something?" in

on the back of his hand, tried to think of something nice to say as he drank it. Then his blood fr

e said kindly, "pu

cket, and repeating his old tale about taki

ou a couple of loaves to take

rolled on to the floor. A bystander picked it up

n, taking a deep draught

en eat first," said S

ou in charge," said the other, raising his voice. "I be

d tried to swallow it. He took up a water-bottle and drank some of t

aid the do

Sam fiercely; "d

door. "Just step this way a min

lly upon him. The big man sat down and laughed until he cried as Sam, realizing the plot of which he had been the victim, flung the bread at Henry

gure from the other side

his head s

kin," said the co

ase idea occurred to him, and

ling voice, "an' there's an old chap there I can't

nquired his in

of his mortification, and waiting until he w

catch anything, and losing all patience, was just about to push the door open and peep in when he heard a roar of laughter. Peal up

d the cook's

laughter, to which Sam gri

aid the cook again,

for me, my lad," said S

ed that the cook joined. He was still listening in a state o

tly. "Poor old Sam! I'd 'ave gi

elves in his mind as he walked fiercely on-to smash first the syndicate, and then the cook. With these ideas firmly fixed he went aboard again, and going into the lonely foc'sle, climbed into his bunk and forgot his sorrows in sleep-i