Many Cargoes Book

MANY CARGOES -- A CHANGE OF TREATMENT - ES, I ve in my t t h e m that go down in big ships see the wonders o the deep, you know, he added with a sudden chuckle, but the one I m going to tell you about ought never to have been trusted out without is ma. A good many o my skippers had fads, but this one was sailed under some cute skippss ime, said the night-watchman the worst I ever The N f-WnfcAman , sa . il ed under. It S some few years ago now I d shipped on his barque, the John Elliott, as slow-going an old tub as ever I was aboard of, when I was nt in quite a fit an proper state to know what I was doing, an I had nt been in her two days afore I found out his obby through overhearing a few remarks made by the second mate, who came up from dinner in a hurry to make em. I dont mind saws an knives hung round the cabin, he ses to the fust mate, but when a chap has a uman and alongside is plate, studying it while folks is at their food, it S more than a Christian man can stand. That S nothing, ses the fust mate, who had sailed with the barque afore. Hes half crazy on doctoring. We nearly had a mutiny aboard once owing to his wanting to hold a post-nzortent on a man what fell from the mast-head. Wanted to see what the poor feller died of. I call it unwholesome, ses the second mate very savage. He offered me a pill at breakfast the size of a small marble quite put me off my feed, it did. Of course, the skippers fad soon got known forard. But I didnt think much about it, till one day I seed old Danl Dennis sitting on a locker read- ing. Every now and then hed shut the book, an, look up, closing is eyes, an moving his lips like a hen drinking, an then look down at the book again. Why, Dan, I ses, whats up you aint laming lessons at your time o life Yes, I am, ses Dan very soft. You might hear me say it, it S this one about heart disease. He hands over the book, which was stuck full o all kinds o diseases, and winks at me ard. . Picked it up on a book-stall, he ses then he shut is eyes an said his piece wonderful. It made me quite queer to listen to im. That S how I feel, ses he, when he d finished. Just strength enough to get to bed. Lend a hand, Bill, an go an fetch the doctor. Then 1 see his little game, but I wasnt going to run any risks, so I just mentioned, permiscous like, to the cook as old Dan seemed rather queer, an went back an tried to borrer the book, being always fond of reading. Old Dan pretended he was too ill to hear what I was saying, an afore I could take it away from him, the skipper comes hurrying down with a bag in his and. What S the matter, my man ses he, what S the matter I m all right, sir, ses old Dan, cept that I ve been swoonding away a little. Tell me exactly how you feel, ses the skipper, feeling his pulse. Then old Dan said his piece over to him, an the skipper shook his head an looked very solemn. How long have you been like this he ses. Four or five years, sir, ses Dan. It aint nothing serious, sir, is it You lie quite stiU, ses the skipper, putting a little trumpet thing to his chest an then listening. Um there S serious mischief here I m afraid, the prognotice is very bad. Prog what, sir ses Dan, staring. Prognotice, ses the skipper, at least I thi thats the word he said. You keep perfectly still, an Ill go an mix you up a draught, and tell the cook to get some strong beef-tea on. Well, the skipper ad no sooner gone, than Cornish Harry, a great big lumbering chap 0 six feet two, goes up to old Dan, an he ses, Gimrne that book. Go away says Dan, dont come worrying ere you eard the skipper say how bad my prognotice was...Read More