OUR BOYS & GIRLS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 915, 13 September 1889, Page 5

OUR BOYS & GIRLS.

SAILOR BOY DROMIOS

By H. H. Clark, U.S.N.

(Continued.) To tell the truth, Docket thought Harry a little slow, not to say stupid. W hat was his surprise, therefore, when Master Harry not only fell in with the plan, but was eager to ao further than Docket had dared to imagine possible. Docket didn’t know the depths of mischief that were beneath Harry a innocent exterior. , , When their plan was perfected, Harry led Docket to a recess in the ‘starboard shaftalley ’ where, unobserved, they exchanged uniforms. Everything came out right but the ties Docket fussed a while before he could arrange Harry’s to look properly ‘American; and so did Harry before Docket s would take on an altogether * English ’ look. Everything arranged they stood apart and looked each other over. Quite as much surprise was depicted ou their countenances as at their first meeting. In truth, they seemed to have gradually dissolved the one into the other. . . Holding their faces down, and introducing a heavy roll into their gaits, they started for the berth-deck. A sharp observer would have detected mischief in their eyes, and, in fact, in their whole demeanour ; but as nobody suspected what they were up to, they passed along this deck unchallenged. The berth-deck, however, wa3 a little dark—how would it be on the main deck ? Could they escape detection there, they might go anywhere without the slightest hesitancy. Very slowly they mounted the companion-ladder. They stood for a moment by the hatchooamings, then, not daring to look anyone in the face, they began their promenade. The men, however, only stared at them, or remarked with some attempt at humour on their wonderful likeness. The boys almost laughed outright when one of Harry’s chums slapped Docket on the shoulder and requested him to assist that evening in getting a new uniform ready for Sunday morning inspection. The * yea ' which comprised the whole of Dockot’s reply had an accent quite English ; but it did not seem to satisfy the other boy, for he gave Docket a quick glance and looked bewildered. Before he could say anything further, Docket and Harry slipped away. Incredible as it may appear, they went everywhere about the ship from keelson to maintop, and never an officer, man or boy, was any the wiser concerning the exchange of identities. . The hour for Docket's return to his ship arrived. Meanwhile Harry had proved a most skilful actor.. Be now, with the utmost coolness, submitted a proposition the audaoity of which startled Master Docket. It was nothing less than tkiit they should exchange ships for the night. He, Harry, would go to Docket’s ship in the dingy, and by hook or by crook get back to the ‘Alexandra,’ early next morning. They would then re-dress, each in his proper uniform, and Docket could take his chances in getting back on board his own ship in time for inspection. Ordinarily, Docket would not have enter, tained such a proposition for an instant. But they had been so successful, and deluding is so fascinating (particularly when no great wrong is involved, as in this case), that Harry found it not at all difficult to overcome Docket’s scruples. Now the plot had so thickened that it was no longer feasible ior the boys to keep their secret. Summoning the dingy’s crew, Docket at once took them into his confidence, and Harry did the same by two English apprentices. The whole . party were cautioned to repress every sign of the wonder thoy might feel at the substitution. With rather stern selfdenial the youthful accomplices succeeded in doing so. But there was much quiet fun over the perfect innocence of everybody as to what was going on under their very noses. This interfered aomewhat with the arrangement of details .; but at laßt, everything being ready, Harry jumped into the dingy, and she was presently lost behind the wall-like sides of the great iron-clads lying between the ‘Alexandra’and Docket’s ship. So absorbed have we been in our Dromios that we have almost forgotten to remind the reader of the alarming condition of affairs in

Alexandria. The power of the Khedive had 1 been wroßted from him. Certain of the Egyptian officers, by a series of bold and successful manoeuvres, had obtained control of the army. The religious fanaticism of the Mohammedans had been aroused to a daugerous pitch. Active steps, had been taken to strengthen all the fortifications of Alexandria. Ail this was viewed by the European inhabitants with consternation. Finally, the massacre of June 11, ISS2, occurred, and their gravest apprehensions were more than realised. They fled for refuge to the vessels in the harbour, and embarked by thousands in steamers sailing for European ports. Little by little, events led on to the day of bombardment just a month later. It was just about thiß time that Docket and Harry undertook to carry out their little hoax. Night found Docket a little crestfallen—in fact penitent for his folly. He had not been found out, but he had been regarded very quizzically. He had received several orders to do things about the ship, which he necessarily obeyed in an awkward manner. He heard the captain of the afterguard say, ‘ That there lad is as hawkward about deck as a halbatross. ’ He would not have been so oast down had he not, last of all, received a sharp reprimand for calling out the wrong number .for Harry’s hammock when hammocks were piped down. But he became so excited before he turned in that he f orgot all about these little mishaps. It happened that on that very night orders had been given to search the fortifications of Alexandria with the electric-light. By its powerful glare, Docket saw men at work in the forts mounting heavy guns. Docket did not know it, butifc was the discovery of this treachery on the part of the Egyptians which led to the destruction of the forts. The Egyptians had promised, in reply to a courteous demaud of Admiral Seymour (who regarded this work as a menace to the British fleet), that no more guns should bo mounted. Docket was among those who first discovered evidences of their breach of faith. Docket did not sleep very well in Harry’s hammock. He was troubled with the feeling that the fun might perhaps end quite seriously. He had one dream. It vyas that the ‘ Alexandra ’ had put to sea with him, an innocent and most unwilling deserter from his flag. He was glad when morning Came, and he was ordered to ‘ break out.’ The fresh air revived him. He took hold of Harry’s work about the ship even with alacrity, and by breakfast time he felt quite exhilarated. Breakfast over, he was quickly on the look-out for Harry’s return. Inspection came. All hands were mustered for the Church Service, and shortly after they wore piped to dinner. ‘What can be the matter,’ thought Docket, as he dropped into Harry’s seat at the mess. ‘ What if he doesn’t come at all ? It can’t be that he intends to keep my place, He wouldn’t be guilty of such despicable meanness !’ • Four bells —six bells —eight bell 3, and no explanation. He began to grow nervous. He was tempted to go to the officer of the watch and confess the whole story. Perhaps the officer would send him back in one of the ‘ Alexandra’s ’ boats. But this would be * cryiug baby’ too soon. When hammocks were again piped down, Docket was in an unenviable frame of mind. The fun of being a counterfeit was all over. But he had made up his mind to stay till Harry came back. He wohld not go sneaking on board his own ship, even if he should find an opportunity, in the clothes and character of another, (To be continued.)