A U V r \‘ H M \ kw __ ,W N r ‘0. K \ _ Ina-"unhmm, ,mmmlnl mu w w w ‘lL‘yLa m: w w v, ‘ ‘ 3 Copyright“. 1393, by BIADLI nu: Anna, Entered an Sucond Clans Mm" m £11.: New i'JYX, N. Y.. Pun Oflice. nu. 15, 1893. Jr 02.5 Publish d Week] b B d1 (1 Ad No‘ 3 ‘9‘?“ :0. 95 \VlLZXAMyST.e:EV: YSUILK. ams’ FlVZréeau- “ mar, THERE! wnm mu: YOU mom? wm) awn-r you mmmssxm TO FLOG on: or MY MEN? ' THROW AWAY THAT room: 315mm: x Tun you um: FROM LIME!" The Mad Skipper. The Mad Skipper; 7 The Cruise ofithe Monongahela. BY ROG-ER STARBUGK, AUTHOR. or “ THE nor rnosruoron,” “ OREGON Josn,” “ KENTUCKY BEN,” " THE BOY CORAL-FISHERS," ETC., CHAPTER I. THE Dnsnurnns. “SPLASH! splash! splash! Here he comes again—*the rain! The calaboose more better than this place. We got no tabac to smoke nor nothing to eat. \Visl! me back again in St. Michael with piece of bread and one little bas- keet of grapes l” The speaker, an odd-looking Portuguese dwarf with an enormous head, sat by the entrance of a small cave near the summit of a lofty hill over- looking the town and harbor of San Carlos, Chiloe Island. Far beyond the town, which consists of little wooden buildings, few of them more than two stories in hight, and irregular streets rudely paved with rough stones, is the short stretch of blue water separating the isle from the mainland (Chili), upon which towered the lofty, snow—covered peaks of the Andes, half—buried in rolling clouds. The glun'es ol" the dwarf, however, were turned from these glorious mountains to rest upon the harbor, Which at present contained but three vessels—- two Peruvian schooners and a large American whale-ship, painted yellow from stem to stern. “ chs, yees,” continued the Portuguese, dis— consolately, “ everything been eat up that we had, and me feel hungry; poor Frank Harland hungry, too,‘7 he added. glancing toward a manly—looking young sailor who lay, apparently asleep, in a corner of the cave—“ he hungry, too, thoth he sleep so sound.” The large, round, black eyes of the dwarf, and his long face, which was shaped sox‘nething like that of a horse, softened as he spoke. He took off his jacket, and carefully spread it over the shoulders of his companion to protect him from the drops of water falling from little fissures in the rocky roof. Frank, however, now sprung up with a gay laugh, and patted the little Portuguese upon the head. . “ You are a good friend, J o0, although some- thing of a grumblor. Here, take your jacket at once, or you’ll catch cold.” “ How now? Me think you asleep!” exclaimed tho dwarf. “ You hear—77 “ Everything,” interrupted Frank. “ You Wish yourself back in St. Michael, with a ‘ piece of broad and a basket of grapes., ” “ Not me—not me only i” exclaimed Joe, “but both of us. out you the same; that was what me meant.” " “ Ay, ay, you’re an excellent fellow, Plaush,” answered the other. “I wouldn’t find fault with you for the world. Let me see,” he added, glancing around the cave. “ Ithink Iheard you say our ‘ larder ’ was empty.” Me no cam to be comfortable with-‘ “ Yeas; eat up last mouthful this morning.” “Not so much as the crumb of a cracker left?" “ N othingfl “ Oh, well, We can get along without dinner for one day, although I must own, friend Plaush that I feel sorry on your account. You shou ( have remained in the. ship. I deserted her be— cause the captain put us boat-steerers on short allowance when there was no occasion for it; but you, acting as cabin-boy, were in the midst of plenty and growing fat in the craft.” ‘ Yees, yecs, very fine. But when you go, me go, too. Mo like you very much because you only man me ever see who Show himself friend to poor Joe Plaush. Me never forget the time when second mate go to knock me down, and you interfere and prevent him doing so. Me say then, me stick to you; and so me will, unless,” he mournfully added. “ you get tired of mo and wish me to leave you.” “Never!” answered Frank, gazing earnestly upon the drooping face of his chum. “I have taken a great liking to you, and shall never grow tired of such a friend." “ Ah, me glad of that. glad!” And with a happy light shining in his eyes, he pressed a hand of his companion between both his own. “ And now,” continued Frank, “ it is time we thought of leaving the cave. Our ship sailed yesterday; there is no need of our remaining Yees, yees, very concealed any longer.” “You mistake. Me been here before, and so know all about the way they do when man de- sert vessel in this port. 36 ‘ vigilantes,’ (police officers armed with swor s) get description of runaway from the ca tam, and make search all time till find him. f they not find him until after ship sail, they put him in calahoose all the same as if vessel still here.” “And what sort of a place is the calaboose?” “ An old prison where he put criminals. Suppose we be catched, we haVe to huddle in with thief, highwayman and murderer, and work with the chaimgang.” “ The chain-gang?" “ Yces—«de criminals who carry, all day long, great loads of dirt and stones for punishment. ” “That would certainly be disagreeable, and in order to avoid such a misfortune; we will wait until night before we quit our retreat.” “ Where we go then?” “ We will descend the precipice in front of us, which is washed by the waters of the buy, and swim to that yellow whale—ship, which is not more than half a mile from the shore. My word for it, the crew will not betray us, but will con- ceal us until the Vessel sails.” “Good plan!”7 cried Joe, clapping his hands “the precipice isn’t very steep, and so we g down easy enough even in the dark.” “ Ay, av if we are careful. The rock 1:, covered with projections and clambering vires. I’d likp something to eat, however, before we start.” = The dwarf took ofl? his cap—a large, round one, made of brown cloth, and turned it wrong side out. ‘ “What are. you going to do now, Joe?" n. The Mad Skipper. 3 “ To get something to eat. Turn cap wrong way so as to make look white— lining white. Then go to‘ hut somewhere, and buy cake or cooked potato. Brown cap been described by captain, as belonging to runaway. It made white, this way, won’t be known.” “But if you, sell your cap~” “Me no intend to sell. Me buy with money.” \nd pulling a solitary real from his pocket, he he d it up close to the eyes of his friend. a ‘ Been save long time—one year. Glad to spend him now." “ Why havo you saved it so long?” The Portuguese colored, and hesitated a few seconds, before he replied: “Got little sister in St. Michael. W’hen me going to leave her for whale—ship, she ask me to bring her, when I come, home, piece of red rib— bon for her hair. So, first time me get money, me put this real in corner of left pocket, so as not to forget to buy with it what she tell me.” “By no means, then, must you spend it now!" cried Frank; “ put it back in your pocket!” “Me get another one, some time,” answered Joe, “ which’ll do just as well.” And before Frank could say another, he quitted the cave. , After a half—hour’s absence he returned with his cap full of boiled potatoes. and with several Cheesecakes and rolls protruding from his jacket-pocket. “ Me buy of an old woman living in the valley,” he said, as the two partook of their re— past. “ Got pretty girl there, who play on guitar, and sing with very fine voice.” “ How old is she?” inquired Frank. “ About seventeen, and oh, very fine girl!” he added, enthusiastically, “brown hair and blue e es.” “That’s an uncommon Chiloe maiden, isn’t it?” “Yees, but seine time you find all the, same. Me see three or four that way in the town when me o ashore here five years ago.” “ on are sure the old woman had no suspicions of y ' being a. desertei'?” “ Think i i ugh me did notice she looked at me pretty sharp. Young one fixed eye on ‘me too!” added Joe, blushing deeply, While a soft li ht shone in his round eye. rank looked at him steadily. The dwarf, with his short, handy legs, cowhide shoes. thick little red hands. big head and Singular physiog— nomy, certainly was not calculated to inspire a maiden With the tender passion, and, on that account, his companion hoped he had not fallen in love with the pretty Chiloe. “ Joe, you must for et all about her!” “Who?” inquired oe, blushing deeper than before, and yet trying to seem perfectly uncon- scious. “The one of whom you are thinking at this moment!” “ Me!" cried the dwarf, “me! Ho! ho! You ' make fun!” . And a forced laugh crackled in his throat. “ Why don‘t you eat?” said Frank. “ You were complaining of hunger not long since, and now that weliave a good meal before us you don’t seem to relish it. Try these cheese-cakes they are delicious." complexion for a “Me have eaten three potatoes l” replied Joe, “ and them plenty for me now. Me got all the cheese-cakes for you: me no want.” “Nonsense. I won’t eat another incuthful unless you join me." “Hist,” whispered the dwarf, as a rustling noise was heard in the grass outside of the cave. ,, Both men, who were sitting with their backs turned toward the entrance, whirled themselves around, and rose to confront a beautiful vision. It was a young girl, wearing a short cloak and ajaunty little hat. Her brown lzair fell over her white neck andagraeeful Shouldch in thick wavy masses. She wore neat little gaitcrs, and there was such an airy lightness about her symmetrical form that her feet scarcely seemed to touch the ground. The blue eyes were full of spirit and softness. and the perfect regularity of the features was relieved by quick (hanges of expression and color that gave a piquant charm to the. fresh young face. 011 seeing Frank, she started and seemed a little cold used ; while the Portuguese, blushing and nodding his head toward her, said to his friend, in a low voice: “ That’s himmthat’s the one mo been speak- ing of; the girl inc See with the, old woman.” The young boat—stoercr took off his cap and bowed. “ Beautiful fairy,” he began, but she checked him with a peremptory wave of one little hand. _ “This is no time for compliments, sir.” she said, in a musical but decided voice. “ You must leave this place instantly if you do not Wish to be. arrested. The old woman of Whom your friend bought his provision, has gone to betray you?" “ Yees! yeesl” cried the dwarf. she look sharp at me." “ You were very rash in venturing from your retreat,” continued the young girl. “Ay. ay!” cried Frank. “It was done in opposition to my wishes. A thousand thanks!" he added. his eyes beaming gratitude upon the maiden, “a thousand thanks for your timely warning. Will you permit me to inquire how you knew whcre to find us?” ‘ “I did not know there were two,” she an- swered, blushing. “I tracked your friend by the impressions of his shoes upon the soft ground.” “ You are a noble girl!” cried the young man, impulsively, “and to venture out in the rain alone—” “Again let me tell you this is no time for compliments!” she interrupted, frowning and smiling at the same time. “If ' you would escape being quartered iii the hateful calaboose, come with me at once!” “Most willingly will we do that,” answered Frank. “But you will get wet through and take cold. Please accept this jacket.” She shook her head and darted off like a fawn, followed by the two seamen. They soon reached a little wooden building, situated in a deep valley: and having ushered her two companions into a small room in the upper story, the pretty “pilot” shut the door and locked them in. “ Me notice 4 I The Mad Skipper. “Well, Joe,” said Frank as the two seated themselves upon a trunk at one side of the apartment, “ here we are, both made prisoners by a girl. She is certainly a wonderful crea- ture—so modest and yet so resolute.” “ Me think him glorious!” cried Joe, with enthusiasm. “Unless I am much mistaken, she is a native of the United States, and I am therefore at a loss to account for her being here.” “ Yees, yees, you rih ; him no C'niloe. Him speak too good English for that, and—” He pausel suddenly, his glances fell upon the head of a skeleton on a shelf opposite to him, while an expression of horror wrinkled his brow. Crossing himself, he shrunk into a corner. Frank laughed heartily. “ Nonsense, J 00 l” he exclaimed. “ I see how it is. We are in the room of some medical man. Every doctor has in his study, a skeleton ora skeleton’s head.” “Yees, yees, but how you know this dector’s room ’5” “By these rows of little Vials, together with that mortar and pestle on the same shelf that contains the skeletons, and also by that pile of medical books on the little table in the center of the room.” Joe smiled and clapped his hands. “ Me very foolish to get frightened,” he sail, returning to the side of his friend. “ Me might have known there be nothing to make fright— ened, where there such pretty girl as him we have seen.” The two were still cowering, when the key was heard turning in the lock of the door; and. the next moment a middle—age man, wearingr a a (I‘le coat, a broad-brimnwd hat and corduroy pants, entered the room. The face of this per— son was very square, his eyes of a pale-blue color, and his mauth drawn down at the cor- ners. He carefully closed and locked the door after him, then bowing, addressed the twosv-a- men in a voice something like the creaking of a fro . ‘gGood-morning, friends. My (laughter told me everything. and I am glad she acted in the way she did. That calahoose is a miserable hole to be confined in, and we shall do all in our ower to keep you out of sight of the vigilantcs. Dhe old woman who owns this house, and With whom We board, is an avaricious old wreth who would betray her best friend for a few pa!— try re'ils; but we shall ballle her—we shall get the better of her, I hope.’7 “ Thank you,” said Frank. Your kindness—” “DOn’t mention it,” interrupted the other. “ We are always glad to help those who are in trouble, and so are all Christians. We must contrive to smuggle you on board the Mononga- hela—that yellow whale—ship lying in the hair» her. She is homeward bound, and will sail on the 28.1 of May—the day after to-morrow. I have just been to see the captain to engage a passage; for my daughter and I have become tired of this place, and are anxious to return to the United States. Several Sp mish doctors have lately come to San Carlos an] ruinel my usiness completely. Is your pulse n: '3” “ Sir?” uh)» . “ Your pulse—is it regular, and do you sleep well—and is your appetite goml?” = “ Oh, yes.” “ Are you sure? If not, I have a pill here,” and he took a little box from his pocket— “ which will regulate everything at once. It is my own invention. I have been four years compoundng it to my own satisfaction. It will cure all diseases except consumption.” “A valuable medicine. I shall Certainly lot. you know if I shoulzl happen to get unwell.’7 “ How is your pulse?” inquired the doctor, turning,r to the dwarf. “ My daughter said she thought you looked ill." “ Him say so?” “ Yes. Ah!” he continued. as the warm blood rusned to the dark lane, “ your pulse is not right. I perceive you are subject to hot flushes. You must take one of these pills immediately.” “ No, thank you; me feel ve y Well.‘7 “You are niislaken, my friend," said the doc— tor, as he felt ol’ the other’s wrist. “ Your pulse is not regular. Yt >11 will have a fever u .1- less you swallow a pill. Here it is—iake it.” The dwarf reluctantly obeyed, declaring: that the pill tasted exactly like a crumb of gingerbread. The nightshmlows were creeping into the room when the good—natured dot-tor quitlod it, carefully locking the door after him and putting the key in his pocket. In oompiiauee with his wishes, the two seamen, sitting nearly motion— less upon the chest, spoke in whispers when they felt a desire to converscwaprecaution nee ry to prevent the old woman, who had now return— e'l. from suspecting: their presence in the house. They could hear her voice in the room below, and its sharp, impatient ti vnes seemed to proclaim that she had met with some In y disappoint~ mcnt. Such, indeed, was the fact; for. as the “ Vigilantes” had not succeeded in finding the deserters, she had not gained the expected reward. At ten 07 dock she retired, in no enviable frame of mind. Turning to his daughter, seated near him in a back roan, the :ian then screch his mouth into an exp! 10 ' comical significance. “ We’ve got rid of that she—bear at last, Lilian, and I hope she’ll soon 5.); ) to sleep.” “ I have no doubt she will," answered the young girl, smiling, “ (or she drank several cups of the motherwort tea you recommended to her. “That’s good; and now you may go to bed. As your chamber is next to hora you can easily tell by the sound of her breathing,r when she is asleep. You must then give thrie distinct raps upon the ceiling. I shall station myself where I can hear them.” “ All right, papa!” and she left the room. Half an hour after, the doctor, hearng the raps, hastened to the apartment in which he had left the seamen. “ The coast is clear,” said'hc. make our way to the beach.” “ You need nor trouble yourself to accompany us.” said Frank: ‘ we can find our way.” “ There is a short cut,” replied the other, “ which you know nothing of ; therefore I must insist upon being your guide.” ' ' “ We will now c The Mad Skipper; No further time was lost. They hastened to the room below, the outside door was cautiously opened, and soon after they were hurrying along a narrow path which, the doctor informed them. led to the beach. This they gained in a short time, and found themselves directly opposiie the Monongahela, which loomed up like a great phantom about a1 quarter of a mile from the shore. A new moon, partially obscured by the clouds, which were not yet dissipated, relieved the gloom suiiiciently to afford them a good View of the water. “ Here is a skn’l‘,” said the friondly guide, pointing to a small boat tied to a stake. “ I will go with you to the ship, so us—” “No, no,” interrupted Frank. “We would be apt to be seen from the shore if we took to the zboat. My friend and I can easily swim to the vessel.” “ Very well. And now, goodrhy until we meet again, which will be in a few days.” Theyshook hands. and then, throwing off their shoes, and fastening their jackets to their necks by means of the sleeves, Frank and his faithful chum stepped into the water and struck out for the ship. Being excellent swimmers, they soon gained the hows ol‘ the vessel; tin-n, bymeans of the cable, they clani‘w red to the deck. This hurl cvtdently been recently scrubbed; it was as clean as a “inilkmaid’s apron.” and was not disfigured by straggling ends of running rigging, these being neatly ('oilcd upon the l'i<_-luyiii:'-pins. The turns of the cable Were nicely arranged about the Windlass; not even kink was out of place, and the two semncn also noticed that the jibs were as carefully and tastefully stowed as those of a man—of—war. The rigging, too, was “ taut and trim,” the yards squarely balanced, and the sails fin-led with true nautical precision. “ Me think this very fine ship,” remarked Joe. “Captain very particular mun. Make crew work plenty, though. me guess.” , “ Ay, ay,” replied Frank, “ the cnptain of this craft evidently likes to have every thing ship— shape.” “ Yoes. He must be very good skipper.” “ P’r’aps you’ll alter your mind when you come to know him, my lad,” was uttered in a deep voice, and turning, the two men saw an old, gray»headed tar, looking at them across the Windlass. In a few words, Frank made the neceSsary ex- planations, to which the Sailor listened 1n grim silence. “ I’m afraid you’ve made a bad move in com— in’ aboard this craft.” u Sago “ In the first place. because the officers won’t suit you: in the next, because every man of the crew, with the exception of myself and two others, is composed of the most outlandish set of savages your eyes ever lighted on. My only reason for not desnrting is because I don’t care about losin’ my share of the profits which will come from the cargo'this being a full ship. The three mates are New Zealunders, so that all the heathenS'forward have everything pretty much their; own way. The captain seems to have a most unnat’ral liking for these wild islanders, as you may know by his making mates of the three.” ’ J” - ‘3 “ You don’t mean to say—” , ay,” interrupted the old sailor, “it’s just what I. do mean to say. While in the Arctic Ocean we lost over three Nantucket mates, one by falling overboard, another by sickness, and t’other by being struck on the head with a. whale’s flukes. What does the captain do but put in the places of all of ’cm the three boat- steerers of the larboard boats—three big—headed savages!” “ He must have a strange taste,” said Frank. “ Strange! That doesn’t express it, mate,” ,rcplied the other. “ P’r’aps you’ll think him more than strange when you get acquainted with him. Hows’ever,” he added, “ if you are willing to take up your quarters in this craft, 1 ain‘tthe man to go back on you. But you’d better keep yourselves close until the craft sails, for if those heathens got sight of you they wouldn’t hesitate to betray you to the vigilantes, for they are a treacherous set.” “ Do they try to quarrel all time with you white men ?” inquired J oc. “Well, no, I can’t say that they quarrel with us, though there’s a good deal of lighting and scratching of faces a-going on among them— selves. VVhat I complain of is the noise they make, keeping me from sleeping when it is my watch below, and shirking duty whenever the captain ’s eye isn’t upon ’em; llcsidcs which. they can’t talk like rational beings on any subject. which is very disagreeable when we have to huddle all together in a small forecastle.” “ It can’t last for a long time, at any rate," said Frank, “ the craft being homeward bound. I guess we’ll take up our quarters here.” “ Just as you like, mate,” replied the old far. “It sartainly pleases me to have another civil- ized being added to the few in the ship. The *aptain, I’m certain, will be glad to have two more in the craft, seeing as we are a little " short-handed.’ ", He pulled away one of the fore—hatches, and pointing significantly into the hold, continued: “ I’ll find you a good hi80 saying, the doctor hurried into the cabin to change his saturated garments for dry ones. while old Ben turned to Frank with a puzzled grin rippling his tough features. “ I’ve heard of them that l’arns navigatiom with a tub, but I never heard of ’em ,carryin’ the matter so far as to cxperimentalim in it with life—l )uoy's.” “ Take buoy and put back where come from,” ordered the mate. “Strange man, dis doctor: make pill and swim in a tub.” By the time the buoy was lashed, Claret, in his little room below, had made the necessary Chan 6 in his dress. “ is lucky Lilian knows nothing of wlnt has happened ” he muttered. “ Otherwise she would worry erself to death in the fearvof my takiu cold. Fortunately,” he continued draw- ingr tie brandy-flask from his chest, “I have something here which I think will revent n'y- ' suffering the evil consequences usu l resultin from a too sudden immersion in col Water. I shall indulge in a few drinks, and also warm myself thoroughly by the cabin stove before go- in r to bed.” . o saying, he rolled up the legs of his trow— sers, revealing tightly-fitting drawers of red flannel: then, putting on a common-looking nightcap of blue cloth, be seated himself by the warm stove in tho state-room. “This comfort—ahemI—comfort indeed, after floundering about in that disa reeable tub. Strange that I should have ima 'ned I had fallen overboard,” he continued, holdiii up the flask and eying it affectionately; “i makes me shudder to think of it.” And he swallowed several mouthfuls of the brandy.” “ This is primcl” he continued, smacking his lips, “Ah—ahool good liquor as a medicine is— Ho paused on hearing;’ footsteps behind him, and turning, saw Tom Collins. “ Halloal So you are up yet?” cried the steward. “Yes, warming myself just previous to going i “ I thought I’d come hero to see how the fire _ is,” said Collins. “It’s mighty liard,.it is, my having to get up outrnf my warm bed in the steerago in the middle of the night to see about the fire. But I have to do it; it’s the captain’s orders.” “ Hero is something to warm you up inside,” said the doctor, kindly presenting the flask. “ I’m temperance,” said Collins. “ Hows’ever, I won’t refuse to oblige you, seeing it’s in the way of medicine.” And he took a long pull at the flask. “Tho liquor in, there is the best as was ever drunk.” he said, as he returned the bottle; “ just mind how it s rkles, will you?” The doctor eld up the flask, and examined it narrowly. ' “ Aheml My friend, there is no sparkle to it now. as it is all gone. Tho bottle is empty.” “ Is it possible?" . “ Yes; but never mind. I have plenty more of the same sort in my chest.” “ Which, beggin’ your pardon, if I may make ,1: suggestion, had better be procured at once while I brighten up the fire.” ' “ Alien—very good.” And going to the chest, the doctor took but a second bottle. * and listened; "\ , 18 V The Mad Skipper. “ You seem pretty well provided, sir,” ro- mgrked the steward. r ‘ Well, yes. It is the duty of our profession to carry plenty of medicine with them when it is convenient.” “ As in the present case,” said Collins, bowing. “ I honor the profession.” “Thank yon—aheml more?” “ Repeating), as I said before, that I’m tom— pemnce, but i'ingin’ in medicine as a qualifier, will 1” He took a deep drought, and returned the flask to the doctor, with a. curious, one-sided bow. Claret put- the bottle by the side of the stove, re- solving to warm his ankles thoroughly before drinking again. “ Ah———a.hool it is a cold night,” he remarked. “ Very,” answered Collins. “ In fact, 12mm ticularly so.” . As he spoke, he struck fiercely at the empty air with his clinched fist. “ Ah !” ejaculated Claret. “ Ah!” returned the steward; and suddenly picking up the bottle, be poured every drop of its contents down his throat. “ Rascal!“ cried the doctor in a. rage, “who gave you permission to do that?” “ It’s u—coming on, sir; “ my smashing-up fit; and I thoughti'best to cmpt the bottle before breakingiti Tie moup—hoh me«or something. Thero’ll be ruin if you don’t!” He danced about the cabin like a madman, dashed the empty bottle into fragments, and pulling the doctor’s night—cup from his head, tranpled it under toot. Then he rushed on do.:k, and )ickiug up a hundspikc, proceeded to smash the relaying-pins in the weather-quarter rail. “‘Hcy, dare!” shouted Onoolo, turning to the watch under the round—house, “ tiodut i’ellcr up! quick—ho got be fit again!” Several of the men'rushed toward the stow- nrd, who had now got ustruddlc of the rail; but before they could reach him, the shi ) lure-hing, violently, as a. swell struck her un cr thelce comter, threw him overboard. The main—yard was instantly hauled shock, and u boat'lowercd, and manned by a good crew, umon