Ching Ching's Novelettes No. 1: Snapson of the 'Snake' — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

8 9 Snapson appointed two of them to act under him, mainly on account of their Herculean forms. They were just the sort of men to put a stop to any non- sense among the men. 7 First the blow,” he said, “then argue with ’em. If they yarn too much give ‘em another knock, and let it be harder than the first.” With these simple instructions, the two men, Dopper und Grip by name, took the positions of under-officers. Job Snapson had a cabin to himself of course, and he let it be known that nobody was tocome into that cabin without special permission unless they were anxious to be sent out again in a hurry. Will Fearon was, however, to be made an exception. “ I’ve took the lad as an apprentice,” he said, “ but he’s a weakly chap and will want some looking after, so he has a bunk in my den.” This sounded nice and kind, but the men were not much impressed, nor did they trouble their minds about the matter, Dopper and Grip, however, formed their own opinion on the subject, which they confided to eaéh other before the ‘‘Snake ” was out of sight of the Nore. ‘There's some game up with that boy,” said Dopper, as they walked to and fro on the deck. Snapson was below, having dinner with Will, whom he was treating with a kindness that amounted to coddling. “TI guess what it is,” replied. Grip, “he’s been paid to get rid of that boy, and if so——” “You think you will stop him ?” ‘Not me! I shall look for my share of the tin,” replied Grip. “You are a man,” whispered Dopper, grasping his hand ; “and remember this—we work together and go snacks in what’s to be got out of it. When you can’t keep your eye on Snapson, I will; and he shall do what he likes with the boy so long as we can BRING IT HOME TO HIM if we want to.” Poor Will! he was now surrounded with villainy, and very little hope or chance of his escaping was visible. But he seemed to have no idea of anything wrong existing. All down the Channel, and the brig went slowly before an easy wind, he had nothing to do but to eat and drink and sleep, or listen to the instruction given him by Job Snapson, who told him all about the names of the ropes, spars, blocks, and so on. “T give all my apprentices a good groundwork,” said Snapson to Dopper. Dopper blinked his eyes and muttered to himself— “ Underground work to some of ’em, I reckon.” At last the Channel was cleared, and the “Snake” got into the wide Atlantic. Then the wind freshened, and, blowing from the north-east, sent the ship along at a fair pace. She was rather a heavy craft, and very old, a fact no coat of new paint eould hide from an experienced eye. All the sailors by this time had learnt that she was an old tub that would hardly stand anything like a storm. comicoooks @ (SO)