GABRIEL'S LITTLE DRAMA 105 



me! One doesn't know how good it is — ^just 

 common pie baked in a bakery and sold at the 

 corner grocery — until one cannot get it and has 

 had nothing but salt horse and cracker hash for 

 months. I used to yearn for pie by day and 

 dream of pie by night. At bedtime the captain 

 snatched the hatch off again and tossed me down 

 my blankets. I bundled up in them as best I 

 could and slept with my manacles on. 



I was kept in irons on bread and water for 

 five days and nights. Sometimes in the day- 

 time, with one handcuff unlocked and hanging 

 from my other wrist, I was put at slushing down 

 the main boom or washing paint-work. But for 

 the most part I was held a close prisoner in the 

 run, being called to the cabin table three times 

 a day for my bread and water. Finally, when 

 Captain Shorey came aboard and assumed com- 

 mand and the vessel headed for the north, I was 

 released and sent to the forecastle. My ship- 

 mates proved Job's comforters and were filled 

 with gloomy predictions regarding my future. 



" I pity you from now on," each one said. 



But their prophecies proved false. After Cap- 

 lain Shorey took charge of the ship Mr. Win- 



