PuttingJIthe Sally in Commission. 
It was that best of all hours in the hotel on the Hali- 
fax, when weary with the day’s doings and satisfied as 
to the inner man, we gathered in the smoking room to 
burn our nightly incense to Lady Nicotine, and tell of 
the day’s sport. 
Good times and many of them we sportsmen have, 
but the only time and place where every effort is 
crowned with perfect success, and all is exactly as we 
wish it to be, is that witching hour in the cozy corner, 
when the easy chair and pipe is lulling mind and body 
into that beatific attitude of charity to our brother 
sportsmen which permits us to believe wonderful 
stories, and tell even more wonderful ones. 
Marvelous stories, for years past, have been told in 
that same snug little smoke-dimmed room, for it is 
near one of the most celebrated fishing grounds of all 
the East Coast of Florida ; but this year the stories of 
good times began with “Last year,” or “Year before 
last,” instead of “This morning” or “This afternoon,” 
for the oldest inhabitant said, as he invariably does 
when elucidating: “That it was the worst winter he 
had ever known as to weather and sport.” 
If it was not the unprecedented rush of northern 
visitors that carried so much northern weather to 
Florida last winter, no one knows what did it. ■ We 
guessed at it many times, with this guess leading. The 
day had been cold and windy, with only an occasional 
glimpse of sunshine, but every one had been out, shiver- 
ing and trying to fish. “Nothing doing” was the unani- 
mous report, so no man was the envy of another. 
“It’s played out,” said one disgusted sportsman. 
“They have caught all the fish. I have been over half 
the State and fished as industriously as a cormorant, 
and haven’t caught, in the whole time, what I had 
thought I could catch in one day.” 
“Well, you see, we have never had anything like this 
before,” said the hotel-keeper. “Three weeks ago ice 
formed on all still water, and dead fish floated down the 
creeks and rivers in shoals. Not since early in Decem- 
ber has our water been in condition to fish. Now last 
winter it was different, for at this time you could catch 
all the fish your boat would carry anywhere about here, 
on the right tide.” 
“Explanations like that are what is going to cause 
me to assault some one before I leave here,” said an- 
other of the party, as the landlord left the room. “I 
am constantly assured that the conditions for sport 
were perfect here last year, year before last and year 
before that, and for many, many years past; but now, 
when I have schemed, planned, devised and maneuvered 
for years to get a few weeks off from business to enjoy 
a real good ‘time of my life’ fishing trip, and am having 
about as much comfort as an arctic explorer, and less 
sport, and am entertained on all sides with accounts of 
how delightful it was last year, year before — ad infinitum 
— with a grand chorus ‘we never did have it so before’ 
following each such song, I get mad. If things do not im- 
prove soon, I am going to Canada for the rest of my 
vacation, where I can shiver with a clear conscience.” 
“Well, gentlemen, it is unusual,” said the Colonel, an 
old-timer. “I have spent many winters here, and this 
is the worst in all my experience. What is your ex- 
perience, Professor?” 
“Nine years at this place, and no such winter .or 
fishing have I seen in all that time,” was the testimony 
of the Professor. “Of course the fish are not always 
fulfilling the exaggerated expectations you fellows bring 
down here with you, but in past years I have seen sport 
here that ought to satisfy any one. By the way. 
Colonel, our friend the Doctor will be here Friday, and’ 
when he puts the Sally in commission, we will have fish 
coming in.” 
“He will get them if any one can,” said the Colonel. 
“He has fished the old historic Halifax at this point 
for eighteen years, and knows — as^ few men — the water 
and the way.” 
“The poor old Sally has shed tears of oakum until 
every seam is open,” said the Professor. “I threw a 
handful of sand into her to-day, where she lay under 
the house, and it poured through in streams. There 
will be a bit of work to do to make her seaworthy, and 
I hope all will lend a hand. The Doctor is a most de- 
lightful Kentucky gentleman, who appreciates a kind- 
ness, and reciprocates when the opportunity offers.” 
“That is true,” assented the Colonel with conviction. 
“We must all lend a hand where we can to get the 
Doctor afloat. He is one of the best fellows in the 
world.” 
Not generally of a suspicious nature, I nevertheless 
fell to speculating, while preparing for bed an hour 
later, upon a significant look that passed between the 
Colonel and Professor while singing the praises of their 
friend, and urging all to lend a hand in getting the 
Sally afloat, and concluded, like Fritz, to, “Look me 
oudt a leetle bit alretty.” 
Friday came, as did the Doctor, “and the next day ’ 
it snowed,” or at least felt as though it could, if low 
temperature were the only essential. The Doctor 
proved a delightful addition to our party, and when the 
norther blew itself out, after giving us a week of dis- 
comfort, he was in the class heretofore monopolized 
by the Colonel and Professor. 
We grumbled and longed for good weather, through 
that dreary week of cold wind an4 colder rain; but there 
was many a pleasant hour round the fire in the smoking 
room, that will be long remembered by all. The 
Colonel, Professor and Doctor played .much solitaire. 
The Professor would manipulate the cards, and — in 
base ball parlance — the Colonel would “root” for the 
Professor, and the Doctor would lay magnificent wagers 
against their success, while many of us, and at times all, 
would share the fun, and lend a hand. 
Then from a wonderful store of interesting adven- 
tures and experiences one or another would entertain 
us with stories. One never to be forgotten afternoon, 
the Professor unpacked and exhibited to us his un- 
surpassed collection of fishes of the East Coast, done 
in oil. An ardent and successful sportsman, the Pro- 
fessor had made several cruises, extending from the 
upper Halifax as far down as Key West, taking speci- 
mens with his own rod, and transferring them to can- 
vas — wonderfully true to life — with all those delicate 
and elusive tints and shades which no artist ever sees 
who depends on subjects procured otherwise. 
The first attempt of the sun to* shine brought us, en 
masse, to the front porch to welcome it. Rather an- 
emic, and lacking in ardor was Old Sol, but in any con- 
dition he was more than welcome. 
_ “We must now prepare to put the Sally in commis- 
sion,” announced the Doctor. 
“Yes, yes!” said the Professor. “Pipe all hands to 
man the Sally and clear for action. Everybody must 
get in on this game and share the glory.” 
Again I noticed the significant glance pass between 
the Professor and Colonel, and determined to watch 
with care for the explanations which I felt sure would 
be forthcoming in the near future. 
Bill, the colored man of all work, who stood leaning 
on his ax gazing in hopeless dejection at the small pile 
of wood cut, and the great stack awaiting his ministra- 
tions, was the first one actually mustered in. 
“Where can I get a man with a horse, to haul the 
Sally down to the water, Bill?” shouted the Doctor. 
“I don-no, suh,” said Bill, dropping the ax, and stroll- 
ing in to the porch. 
“I told the Doctor that you and Tom could drag her 
down for him,” said the Professor, “but he says it might 
hurt your back, as you are getting along in years, and 
he would not let you take any chances now you are 
getting old.” 
“Who, me? I gittin’ old?” straightening up and 
squaring his shoulders. “W’y, Doctah, you ain’t been 
list’nin’ to somebody tellin’ tales on me, is you? Whah 
is dat boat? Dis you show her to me, and pint out de 
spot you want her put. I ’low I show you if I is too 
old to tow a little old yawl boat dat little way. Neb 
min’ ’bout Tom,” he protested to the Professor, who 
was now .shouting for the other sable assistant, “I kin 
haul the Doctah’s boat, widout Tom or anybody else to 
help me.” 
So wrought up was Bill, by what he considered a re- 
flection upon his physical condition, he positively de- 
clined to allow any one to assist him, until assured by 
tbe Professor that Tom was only wanted to push behind 
to ease the strain and prevent him from pulling the 
boat asunder if an obstruction was encountered. 
Half hour later the Sally lay at the water’s edge, and 
the vindicated Bill and exhausted Tom sat by on a log 
fanning themselves and recovering breath. A little 
later the Doctor and Professor descended upon the 
Sally, carrying two empty boxes, a lot of oakum and 
caulking tools. Seating themselves upon the boxes 
they lighted cigars, and to all appearances proceeded to 
enjoy themselves’, but showed no disposition to actually 
commence operations upon the Sally’s repairs. 
Watching from a safe distance, I at last saw a young 
man of our party approaching along the water edge. 
The gentlemen at the boat were so interested in con- 
versation they did not see him until he accosted them. 
Diving down,’ they each snatched up oakum and tools. 
“Yes, yes,” said the Professor. “Fine day indeed, I 
was just telling the Doctor that we would have to wait 
until some of you who really knew something about 
boats came along and showed us how. We want to 
caulk her, you see, and neither of us know how to go 
about it.” 
“If you will twist one strand of oakum for me, and 
show me how to hold my wedger, I believe I can do 
it all right, without troubling you,” said the Doctor, 
making awkward motions with first one and then the 
other hand in which he held his tools. 
Five minutes later — minus coat and collar — the expert 
was pounding oakum intO' gaping seams for two volu- 
ably appreciative gentlemen, who had never, so they 
earnestly and repeatedly assured him, seen any one so 
skillful. So appreciative were they that not until com- 
pelled by complete exhaustion did the young man leave 
off work, and stagger, weak and trembling, to the house, 
and more than half the work was done. 
Exhausted by the exertion of superintending this 
work the two elderly “Tom Sawyers” sat resting and 
smoking until another victim appeared. Him they ap- 
pealed to for an opinion as to whether or not they 
should have soaked the Sally before proceeding to 
caulk her, and begged him to be so good as tO’ examiiie 
the work done (neglecting to tell him it was not their 
own) and tell them if it was done right, and if not 
kindly show them the right way. When the slaughter 
of this innocent was completed, the Sally was ready for 
tar, and with fresh cigars lighted, the two amiable 
gmrtlemen in charge sat at ease waiting for a fresh 
victim. 
“What’s up ?” inquired a man living nearby, who had 
just larided from his boat and strolled down to see what 
was going on. 
“The Sally, upside down,” said the Professor face- 
tiously. 
“Ready for her tar, ain’t she?” he said, drawing near 
and looking the boat over. 
“Well, I don’t know” said the Professor hesitatingly. 
“No!” said the Doctor in the most positive tone. 
“She does not need tar.” 
This statement of the Doctor’s started a spirited dis- 
cussion which continued until the newcomer had con- 
vinced the Doctor and Professor that it would be emi- 
nently proper to give tbe Sally a good coat of tar. So 
gracefully did they yield to his eloquence, and superior 
knowledge, that they not only admitted the necessity of 
tar as he urged, but went so far as to allow the gentle- 
man converting them to donate the tar, lend them his 
bucket to heat it in, and his brush to apply it with. I 
saw that they were on the eve of surrendering com- 
pletely, and allowing him to put the tar on for them, 
but before this beatific condition of mind had fully de- 
eveloped, the man was called away. The afternoon be- 
ing well advanced, the two weary laborers concluded 
to call it a day and quit, and although I had caught 
but few fisb, I felt fully repaid for fny day on the dock, 
from which point of vantage I had observed — thus 
far — their method of putting the Sally in commission. 
It was pathetic to hear the Doctor and Professor 
relate to the Colonel, who had been absent all day, 
tbe story of their strenuous labors, and it was a beauti- 
ful exhibition of loyalty to hear the Colonel’s (ap- 
parently) perfectly sincere expressions of sympathy. 
Work was resumed early next morning, and the vin- 
dicated colored man was once more the victim. The 
Colonel had proffered his services, and was on hand 
with his box and cigar. There was no waiting for some 
one to happen along. 
“Bill!” shouted the Doctor, as soon as they had 
settled comfortably. 
“Yas, suh,” said Bill, dropping his ax, and trudging 
down to where they sat. “Heah I is, w’at kin I do fo’ 
you. Doctor ?” 
“Why, Bill,” said the Professor, “the Doctor, Colonel 
and I cannot decide whether it would be best to tar the 
Sally or not, and we have agreed to leave it to you. 
Examine her carefully now, and see if you think it 
would really be the best thing to do.” 
For a moment it looked as though Bill would surely 
have a fit, he was so overcome by the honor done him; 
but recovering himself, he proceeded with the air of 
a physician examining and diagnosing a patient, to ex- 
amine the boat, even going down on his knees and' 
peeping under to see the inside of her, while the three 
dignified gentlemen waited his decision in interested 
silence. 
His thorough and exhaustive examination having 
qualified him to speak advisedly upon the important 
matter, he proceeded to render his verdict with a 
judicial air, embellished with every high-sounding word 
in his vocabulary, to the effect that a coat of tar would 
be an advantage to the Sally. So grateful were the 
three friends to him for settling the vexed question for 
them, that they became immediate and enthusiastic con- 
verts to his opinion, and as a reward allowed him to 
build the fire, heat and apply the tar, commending and 
complimenting until he had used the last drop, which' 
was only after the boat had' received an- entire second 
coat, besides several extra touches along the newly 
caulked seams. 
As nothing further could be done until the tar dried, 
I felt it a safe time to pay a visit to the committee in 
charge. They received, with becoming modesty, my 
compliments upon the quality and quantity of work 
done, but assured me, with great cheerfulness, that the 
worst was yet to come, as the bow and stern seats 
were both broken, and would need some repairing, if 
not renewing. 
“We cannot get a carpenter,” the Doctor explained, 
“and have no tools but a dull saw and broken hatchet, 
and only heavy heart pine plank to work with. I do not 
know what we will do.” 
I did not know myself just what, or whom, they would 
“do,” but had seen enough of their methods of doing 
to have no fears as to their entire ability to meet this 
emergency. Determined to know whom they would not 
do, I concluded to make no more visits to the Sally’s 
dry dock, until the work was completed. 
Believing that the next day would be the best of the 
show, I was early on the dock. The three friends soon 
appeared, carrying some bits of plank, and the tools 
they had described as their whole available stock. These 
they placed carefully upon the ground and, lighting up, 
proceeded to smoke and rest. 
They had been sitting around for some time, when 
suddenly, as though moved by a common impulse, they 
sprang up, each one snatched up materials or tools, and 
ranged themselves around the boat, which still lay bot- 
tom side up. I was at a loss to account for this sud- 
den show of activity, until I discovered two young men 
approaching. The trio around the boat were, to all 
appearances, wholly unaware of their approach, and 
when they drew near and accosted them, sho-vved only 
polite surprise and preoccupation. 
