Beadle's Dime Novels No. 94: The Mad Skipper — page 46: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

43 THE MAD SKIPPER. shrouds to prevent themselves from being thrown from the top, owing to the violent rolling and plunging of the vessel. “Tt’s a-blowing pretty hard,” remarked Ben, as the foremast suddenly jerking, sent forth a dismal, warning creak, “ but [ think the craft will stand it, seeing as she’s gone through every thing thus’ far.” “ Ay, ay, I hope so,” answered Frank, | “Tt wouldn’t matter mnch,” continued Ben, “ tlie perishin’ of such an 6ld hulk as Iam, but that gal in the cabin is too lovely to go to Davy Jones.” “You are right. She is a noble creature.” “So she is. It was only tother night that she came up from the cabin and slipped a big chunk of gingerbread into my hand, while I was at the whecl. ‘Here, Ben,’ says she, ‘is something to help you pass away the time. I saved it for you instead of eating it myself, as 1 am not very fond of this kind of cake.’ “« Why bless your eyes, miss, says I, ‘you'd better keep it for yourself, seeing as the cabin larder isn’t overstocked, and, not wishin’ to contradict you, [ never knowed a lass yet that wasn’t fond of gingerbread, “She put the cake into my hand, hows’ever, and tripped away laughing, and—Halloa! who's this?” he interrupted, as the head of a man aeeiony rose to view above the edge of thie top. “ Ay, ay!” cried a shrill voice—‘ who’s this? Ho! ho! ho! two look-outs in the top! Good-night to you, my brave Norw egians—good- -night !” “Tt is the captain)” whispered Ben; “his mad fit is upon him !” As he spoke, Wythe swung himself into the top, and hold- ing to the shrouds with one hand, peered into the faces of the two men—his green eyes blazing with a strange light. “ How far off is the coast?” he suddenly inquired—— the coast of Norway ?” 4c Sir iy “The coast of Norway I said!” yelled the captain, shaking his clenched fist in Ben’s face. “Why don’t you answer ?’- “Tt’s a long distance from here,’ answered Ben, much sur: irised: by the: qtiestion. ¥ Cconmicloooks.comn