In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories
IN A STEAMER CHAIR AND _OTHER SHIPBOARD STORIES_ BY ROBERT BARR (LUKE SHARP) [Illustration: He played one game.] A PRELIMINARY WORD. As the incidents related herein took place during voyages between England and America, I dedicate this book to the Vagabond Club of London, and the Witenagemote Club of Detroit, in the hope that, if any one charges me with telling a previously told tale, the fifty members of each club will rise as one man and testify that they were called upon to endure the story in question from my own lips prior to the alleged original appearance of the same. R.B.
wagon too, Friday could now gather his corn quickly and easily, or
haul in a great quantity of grapes to dry for raisins.
Friday had never seen a gun. He did not know the use of firearms. The
muskets that Robinson had brought from the ship were a great mystery
to him. Robinson showed him their use. He showed how they could defend
themselves. He told Friday that these weapons would kill at a
distance. He took some powder and touched a match to it. Friday was
greatly frightened.
Robinson then proceeded to load the gun. He
[Illustration: ROBINSON SHOWING FRIDAY HOW TO SHOOT]
put in some powder, a ball of lead or bullet. Then at the hammer he
placed a little cap which gave a flash when struck. This ignited the
powder. When all was in readiness Robinson bade Friday follow him.
They went slowly out into the forest along the stream. Soon Robinson
espied a rabbit sitting under a clump of grass. Robinson raised his
gun, took careful aim, pressed the trigger. There was a flash and loud
report and there lay the rabbit dead. But Friday, too, was lying on
the ground. He had fainted from astonishment and fright. Robinson
dropped his gun and raised the poor fellow up to a sitting position.
He quickly recovered. He ran to get the rabbit. He examined it
carefully. Robinson at last pointed out the hole the bullet had made
and the mystery of the way the rabbit was killed was solved.
IN A STEAMER CHAIR AND _OTHER SHIPBOARD STORIES_ BY ROBERT BARR (LUKE SHARP) [Illustration: He played one game.] A PRELIMINARY WORD. As the incidents related herein took place during voyages between England and America, I dedicate this book to the Vagabond Club of London, and the Witenagemote Club of Detroit, in the hope that, if any one charges me with telling a previously told tale, the fifty members of each club will rise as one man and testify that they were called upon to endure the story in question from my own lips prior to the alleged original appearance of the same. R.B.