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Show MANY CARGOES Ji Matilda stood at the open door of a houso attached to :i wharf situate.! in tlmt drenry district which bears the high-sounding high-sounding name of "St. Katharine s. 1 "Work was over for the day. A coujrts of unhorsed vans were pushed up the Knngway hy the -sldo of the house, and thu big gate was closed. The untidy ofrtco wJiich occupied the ground Poor was deserted, except for a grey-bearded '"housemaid" of GO, who was swooping It through with a broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities qual-ities of the dust he was raising. Tho sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate., tho small llap-door left in it Hew open, and Matilda Bunker's open countenance took a pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a' hard round hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped Inside. . "Good evening. Mrs. Bunker, ma am," said lie, coming slowly up to her. "Good evening, captain," said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of her age and presence. "Fresh breeze," said the man in tho high round hat. "If this lasts we'll be In Ipswltch in no time." Mrs. Bunker assented. N "Beautiful the river is at present," continued con-tinued the captain. "Everything growing splendid." "In the river?" asked tho mystllled Mrs. Bunker. "On the banks," said the captain: "-the trees, by Shcppcy, and all round there. Now, why don't you say the word, and come? There's a cabin like a new pin ready for you to sit In for cleanness, I mean and every accommodation you coulduroquire. Bleep like a humming-top, you will, if you come." "Humming-top?" queried Mrs. Bunker, archly. r "Anv top." said the captain. "Come, make up your mind! We shan't sail afore 9." "It don't look right," said the lady, -vho was sorely tempted. "But the missus says I may go If I like, so- I'll just go and get my box ready. I'll be down on tho jetty at H." "Av. ay." said the skipper, smiling, "me and Bill '11 just have a snooze till then. So long." ,;So long." said Matilda. "So long," repeated the amorous skipper, skip-per, and turning round to bestow another ardent glance upon tho fair one at the door, crashed into the wagon. The neighboring clocks were just striking strik-ing 9 in a son of yelping chorus to tho heavy boom of Big Ben. which came Moating Moat-ing down the river, as Mrs. Bunker and the night watchman, staggering under a load of luggage, slowly made their way on to the jett. The barge, for such was the craft in question, was almost level with the planks, while the figures of two men darted to and fro in all the bustle of getting under way. "Bill." said the watchman, addressing the mate, "bear a hand with this bos. and be careful, it's got the wedding clothes Inside." The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke Lhat in place of giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking convulsively with his hand over his mouth, while the blushing blush-ing Matilda -and the dlscomllted captain strove in vnin to appear unconcerned. The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they managed to get them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his mate, who was exchanging ex-changing glances of exquisite humor with the watchman, gave his hand to Mrs. Bunker and helped her aboard. "Welcome on the Sir Edmund Lyons. Mr?. Bunker," said he. "Bill; kick that lawg back." "Stop!" said Mi's. Bunker, hastily, "that's my chapperong." "Vour what?" said tile skippe,r. "Jt't? a dawg. Mrs. Bunker, an I won't have no dawgs aboard my craft. "Bill," said Mrs. Bunker, "fetch my box up again.'1 "Leastways." the captain hastened to add. "unless it's any friend of yours, Mrs. Bunker." "It's chapperoning me." said Matilda: "it wouldn't be proper for a lady to go a v'y'gc with two men ivltlout somebody to look after her." "That's right, Sam," said the watchman sontentlously- "You ought to know lhat "Why, were looking after her." said tho simple-minded captain. "Mc an' Bill." "Take care Bill don't cut you out." said the watchman In a hoarse whlspt-r, distinctly dis-tinctly audible to all. "lie's younger nor what you are. Sam. an' the winuuuu are just crazy nrler young men. "Sides which he's a liner man altogether. An" you've had one wife a'ready, Sam." "Cast off:' said the skipper inipatient-j inipatient-j ly. "Cast oft'. Stand by there. Bill!" "Ay. ay," snid Bill, poizing a boat-hook, boat-hook, and thu lines fell Into tho water with a splash as tho barge wns pushed j out into the tide. Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and felt herself terribly in the wHy as the skip-Pr. skip-Pr. divided his aHimon? between the tlrfer and helping Bill with the sail. Meaiitluio tho barge had bothered most of the Ira flic by laying across the river, and when the sail was hoisted- had got under the ice of a huge warehouse and scarcely moved. "We'll fe?l the breeze directly." said Captain Codd. "Then you'll see what she can do," As he spoke, the barge began lo slip through the water as a light breeze took her liugo sail and carried hor Into the stream, where .she fell Info line with other craft who were- just making a start. At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, tho Sir Edmund Lyons proceeded on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her docks to point out various beauties to his passenger which she might otherwise have overlooked. A comfortable supper was spread on the deck, and Mrs. Bunker began to think regretfully re-gretfully of the pleasure she had missed In taking up barge-sailing so late In life. Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital hos-pital and background of trees, was passed. The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed lhat the water wns not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she. asked two or three times whether there was any danger. The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin, fetched up a shawl, which he placed carefullv round his fair companion's shoulders. His right hand grasped tho llllur, his left stole softly and carefully round her waist. "How enjoyable'" said Mrs. Bunker, referring re-ferring to the evening. "Glad you like It." said the skipper, who wasn't. "Oh, how pleasant to go sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and peaceful, just driftin' " . "Ahov!" yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. "Who's steering? Starbud your helium." Tho skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another barge came up suddenlv from the opposite direction di-rection and almost grazed thorn. There were two men on board, and the skipper blushed foe their fluency as reflecting upon the order in general. It was some little time before they could settle down again after this, but ultimately thev got back In their old position, posi-tion, and the Infatuated Codd was just about to wax sentimental again, when ho felt something behind him. He turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted in-serted his head under his left arm. and slowly but vigorously, forced himself between be-tween them; then ho sat on his haunches and panted, while the disconcerted Codd strove to realize the humor of the position. posi-tion. "I think I shall go to bed now," said Mrs. Bunker after the position had lasted long enough to bo unendurable. "If anything any-thing happens, a collision or anything, don't be afraid to let me know.'-' The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger good night. She descended, somewhat clumsily. It is true, into the liltlevcabln, and the skipper, skip-per, sitting by the helm, which he lazily maneuvered as required, smoked his short clay and fell into a lover's reverie. So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the breeze, been making its way against the tide, began to realize that that good friend had almost dropped, and at tht; same time bethought itself of a small anchor which hung over the bows ready for emergencies such as these. "We must bring up. Bill,"' said the skipper. "Ay. ay"' said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. "Over she goes." With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor: the sail, with two strong men hauling on to it. creaked and rustled its way close to the mast, and the Sir Edmund Lvons was ready for sleep. "1 can do with a nap," said Bill. "I'm dog tired." "So am I," said the other. "It'll be a tight lit down for'ard, but we couldn't ask a lady to sleep there." Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner of his kind, took a last look round boforc retiring, retir-ing, placed lils hands on the hatch and lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with a wild yell. and. sitting sit-ting on the deck, rolled up his trousers and fondled his leg. "Whnt's the matter?" Inquired the skipper. "That blessed dog's down there, that's all. " said the injured Bill. "He's evidently evi-dently mistook it for his kcmiM, and I don't wonder at it. I thought he'd been wonderful quiet." "We must talk him over," said the skipper, advancing to (lie hatch wa v. "Poor dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then I Come along!" Tie patted his leg and whistled, and tho dog. which wanted to trot to sleen nnulu. crrowled lllr.-v n smnii thunderstorm. "Come on, old fellow!" said the skipper enticingly. "Conic along, come on. then." TI)o dog came al last, and then the skipper, instead of slaying to pat him. raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste, paced up and down the dock daring I hem lo come down. Coming to tho conclusion, at last, thai they were settled for the night, he returned re-turned to the forecastle- and. after a warning bark or two. turned in again Boih men. after waiting a few minutes, cautiously regained the deck. "You call him up again." said Bill seizing a boat hook, and holding it at the charge. "Certainly not." said the other. "I won't, have no blood split aboard mv ship." "Who's going to spill blood?" asked tho Jesuitical Bill: "but if lio likes to run hlssolf on to the boat hook " "Pul it down." said the skipper slcrnlv and Bill siillenl obeyed. "We'll havo to snooze on deck," said Codd. "And mind we don't snore." said the snrciiijtlc. 13111, " 'cos the dos' mightn't like It." "Without noticing: this remark, the captain cap-tain stretched himself on the hatches, and Bill, after a few mora grumbles, followed his cxnmplo, and both men wcro soon asleep. Hay was breaking when they awoke and stretched their sLjftoiicd limbs,' for the air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in It. Two or three small craft wore, like themselves, riding at anchor, their decks wet and deserted; others wcro getting under way to take advantage of tho tide, which had just turned. "'Up with the anchor." said tho skipper, j seizing a handspike and thrusting it Into J the windlass. As the rusty chain catno in. an ojniu-oiifj ojniu-oiifj growling came from below, and Bill snatched his handspiko out and ralacd it aloft. Tho skipper gazed meditatively at tho shore, and the dog. as It came bounding bound-ing up, gazed meditatively at tho handspike. hand-spike. Then it yawnod, an easy, unconcerned uncon-cerned yawn, and commenced to" pace the deck, and coming to tho conclusion that the men were only engaged In necessary work, regarded their offortfi with a j lenient oyw and barked cncouraglnglv as j they bolsled the sail. H was a beautiful morning. The miniature minia-ture river waves broke against tho blunt I bows of the barge and passed bv her sides rippling musically. Over the flat Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing dispers-ing before the rays of the sun, and tho trees on the Kentish hills were black and drenched with moisture. A llltlo later smoke Issued from the. tiny cowl over the fo'c'sle and rolled In a. llttlo pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious odor of frying steak rose from below and fell like healing halm upon the susceptible nostrils of tho skipper skip-per as ho stood at the helm. "Is Mrs, Bunker getting up?" inquired tho mate, as ho emerged from tho to'c'slo ami walked aft. "I believe so." said the skipper. "There's movements below." ' "'Cos the steak's ready and Availing." said tho mate. "I've put it on a dish in front of the lire." "Ay, ay!" said the skipper. Tho nuito lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He removed re-moved it a couple of minutes later, lo slaro In bewilderment at the unwonted behavior of the dog, which came up to the captain and affectionately licked his hands. "He's took quite a fancy lo nie," said the delighted man. . "Love mo, love my dog," quoted BUI waggishly, as-he strolled forward again, Tho skipper was foiidly punching the dog. which was-now on Its' back with its four legs nthcair, whon ho heard a terrible ter-rible cry from the foc'sIe, aifd tho male .came rushing wildly oh deck. '.'Where's that dog?'; ho cried . ""Don't you talk like ihhy 'aboard -my ship. Where" c? your manners?" cried the skipper hotly. - ' ' lhA manners!" said tho mate, with tears In hla evs. "Whcro's that dog's nmnncrs? Ue's eat on nil iluit steak." Ucfore tho other could reply, the scuttle scut-tle ovor tho cabin was drawn, and thu radiant ra-diant face of Mrs. Hunker appeared at the opening. "I can smell breakfast," she said, archly. arch-ly. "No wonder, with that dog so close." said 13111. grimly. Mrs. Bunker looked at the captain for an explanation. , "lie's ale It', said that gentleman, briefly. "A pound an a 'arf o' the host rump steak In W'applng." "Never mind," said Mrs. Bunker, sweetly,, sweet-ly,, "cook sonic more. I can wait." "Cook some more," said the skipper to ihc male, who still lingered. "I'll cook some bloaters. That's all we've got now." replied tho mate, sulkily. "It's a lovely morning," said , Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, "the air is so fresh. I e.pecl that's what has mado Rover so hungry, lie isn't .a greed v dog. Not at all." "Very likely." said Codd. as the dog rose, and, after drifting tho air, gently wagged his tajl and trotted .forward. "Where's ho off to now?" "Ho can smell tho bloaters, I expect." said .Mrs. Bunker. laughing. "It's won--! derful .what intelligence he's got. Come bore. Hover!" "Hill!" cried the sklppor", warnlmrly, as the dog continued on his way. "Look out! lie's coming!" "Call hlih ofTt" yelled the mate, anxiously. anxi-ously. "Cull him off!" Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by tho collar, hauled him away. "It's tho sea air," said she, apologetically, apolog-etically, "and he's boon on short commons lately, because hp's not been well. Keep ; still. Rover!" j "Keep still. Rover!" said the skipper, with an air of command. l-'nder this- Joint control the flog sat ! down, his tongue lolling out. and his eyes fixed on thu fo'c'sle until tho break.Vist tfns spread. The appearance of tho mato with a dish of steaming tish excited him again, and being chidden by his mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper's plate, j until pushed off by Its indignant owner. j "Soft roe, Hill?" Inquired the skipper. courteously, after ho had served his pus- I Sanger. "That's not my plate." said tho mate. 1 pointedly, as the skipper helped him. ; "Oh! 1 wasn't noticing," said the other, reddening. " . i "I wTi's, though," said Ihc mate, rudely, i "I thought you'd' do that. 1 was waiting i for Jt. I'm not going to eat afler animals, If you aro." Thu skipper coughed, and, after effecting effect-ing the desired exchange, proceeded with his breakfasl in somber silence. The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the. water, tho sun was bright, and tho air. cool, and everything ploasant and comfortable, until the chaperon, who had heeu repeatedly pushed away, broke through tho charmed click' which surrounded sur-rounded the rood and seized, a ilsh. Tn the confusion which ensued he. fell foul of tho (ua-kettlo. and, dropping his prey bit tho skipper frantically, until driven oft' by ills mistress. "Naughty boy!" said she. giving hJin a I few slight cuffs. "Has he hurt you ST I I must get a handnsc for you." 1 "A little." said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding profusely. f "There's' a little linen in the locker down below, if you wouldn't mind tearing 11 up ( for me." ( IMrs. Bunker.' giving the dog a final slap, wont below, and the iwo men looked at each other and then, at the dog. which was standing at tho stern, barking lnsuli- ingly al a passing steamer. "It's about lime she came over" said' the mato, throwing a glance at the sail, 1 then at the skipper, then at the dog I "So it is," said iho skipper, through his set teeth. ' As he spoke he pushed tho long tiller 1 hastily from port to starboard, and lh dog Ilnishcd his bark In the water; the huge sail reeled for a moment, thou swung violently over to tho other dde, and the bargp was on a fresh tack with tho dog twenty yards astern. He was wise In his generation, and after one I look at tho barge, mado for the distant "shore. "Murderers!" screamed a voice; "murderers! "mur-derers! You've killed my dog." "It was an accident; I didn't see him," stammered the skipper. "Don't toll me," stormed the lady; "1 saw it all through the skylight." "Wo had to shift Iho helm lo get out of the way of a schooner," said Codd. "Where's the schooner?" demanded Mrs. Hunker; "where is il?" The captain looked at the mate. "Where's tho schooner?" said ho. "1 b'lepvn." said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question, "I b'leeve we must have run' her down. I don't see her nowhere about." Mrs. Hunker stamped her foot, and. with a terrible glance at the men, descended to the cabin. Prom this coign of Vantage she obstinately refused to budge, and sat in angry seclusion until the vessid reached Ipswich lata in the evening. Then she appeared on dock, dressed for walking, walk-ing, and, utterly ignoring the woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and. obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove silently away. An hour afterwards the mato wont to his home, leaving the captain sitting on the lonely deck striving to realise tho bitter bit-ter fact lhat. so far as the end he had in ' view was concerned, ho had seen tho lust 1 of Mrs. Hunker and tho small but happy home in which ho had hoped to install her. |