NOT THAT KIND OF A RUDDER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VII, 7 August 1897, Page 223

NOT THAT KIND OF A RUDDER.

Although a sailor can ‘jockey ’ a yard-arm gracefully, he is anything but impressive in that sense on horseback. Yet one of the first things that a man-o’-war Jack steers for when he gets on shore with libertymoney in his pocket is a livery-stable, where he can mount the hurricane deck of an animal.

During the time that one of our vessels was at anchor in the Auckland harbour liberty was given, and two of the seamen agreed to spend their limited amount of money on horseflesh. One of them negotiated with the liveryman, and soon appeared on the street perched in the saddle. When out of sight of the stable-keeper. Jack’s companion hove alongside and mounted behind his mate, In this fashion they sailed up Symond-street until the cemetery was reached where Costley’s statue is placed.

‘ I say, Bill,’ cried the sailor in the saddle, ‘ put your helm aport, and let’s go up and have a look at the statoo.’

‘ All right my boy,’ answered Bill. Then he reached back of him, caught the horse’s tail, pulled it hard around to his left, and awaited developments. After a minute he sang out :

‘Something’sthe matter with the steering-gear, Jack she won’t mind her helm !’