The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-19

saw disrespect for himself, and, fretted by
the belief, be grew stern and unreasoDa-
BILE. This the men resented as far as they
dared, and were punished for their temer.
ity, until gradually the memory of Willie's
wrongs was lost in sense of their own.
In this. state Of affairs there needed but
one daring spirit to urge them to dread
ful action, and that spirit was found in the
person Of Tom, who, with heart brimful
of bitterness, and willy tongue, was at
every mans elbow, distilling into their
wounds a'.portion of his own venom. For.
merly he had been an active, jovial fel,
low, whose rude eloquence and tireless
energy would have rendered him valua-
BILE man, but the evil impulse he had re-
ceived made him as dangerous as he might
have been useful.
AT this period the ship neared the line,
and the men were looking forward to the
frolc Of crossing as a charming break in
the mouotony of the voyage. Toms rea.
dy humor distinguished him as a proper
Neptune" for the occasion; aud | ven-
ture te affirm, in spite of the bull, that
some Of the same "ready humor' was al
ready "cut and dry for use. Unfortu-
nately, for some reason, the captain res
fused to them their customary amusement,
and in the unhealthy state of feeling al
ready described, it needed but this drop
to cause the overflow. The time which
was to have been devoted to merriment
was appointed for the enacting of a fear,
ful tragedy, and Tom was, indeed, the rus
ler Of the hour, not as the representative
of the sea>kipg, but the leader of band
of mutineers.
Captrin Sands was prisoner in his
own vessel, and while coming over the
dangers Of his situation, one of his cap-
tors approached. twas the man who had
refused to inaict punishment upon Willie
elbow now, Jack" quoth tho captain,
or rather captive; tyou''e turned against
| your commander, have you!'
eyes, master, for his own good"
"great good it is likely to do me '" gloom.
lily responded the officer. whats all
this for!"
"The men say you lick 'em too much,
and IL"
"You whaG"
81 think so, too. You see, men are men
and they like to be treated like men,"
"And when they dsobey orders!"
"Cut short their grog. put them on
bread and water, make 'em live at the
masthead forever, or cut of their right
arms, if you've a mind 10, rather than
give them taste Of the cat. You see,
sir, you would not like it yourself, would
you!"
The thought made the captain quiyer
"What, Jack, they are not going To-
The sailor nodded his head, and added
emphatically--"Lick you to DEATH"
"But, Jack, good Heavens! you cannot
permit this!"
"New captain says so;-orders must BE-
obeyed."
i captain was UTdfc uldus ant
had made up his mind TO die as brave
man should; but this was considerable
worse than he had anticipated, and for a
moment his courage forsook him.
"You feel bad," remarked Jack, rub
bing his shoulders as he spoke; "and may
E be you'll feel worse, but not if Cal
help it,"
Here was CLEAN Of hope, and the un
fortunate officer eagerly inquired the ex
tent Of Jacks powers. He discovered that
the man was first lieutenant, but not a
all elated with his promotion. He justi.
fed it, however, by shrewdly urging that
it was better TO be an officer than a
prisoner-an argument the truth of whicl
was very forcibly felt by Captain Sands
Jack further stated that guns of rejoicing
had been fred, and grog drank so freel,
that the mutineeTs were all intoxicated
While they were revelling, he had discov
cred sail which seemed to be making 10
ward them, attracted no doubt by tn,
guns. He calculated that the ships woult
not meet before nightfall, and had con
ceIved the plan of escaping from evil com
pany and escaping to the stranger vessel
and carrying the captain with him. The
plan was very happily executed, and th,
fugitive officer was pleased to find him
+ self on board an American ship under th'
command OF an old friend. 1t is scarcel,
f necessary TO add that the Intoxicated mu
tineers were captured by their country
men, and on their arrival in Americ
were punished as their crime deserved. -
Neither need we mention that Captain
Sands, ia remembrance of the feeling
with which he anticipated being clicked
to DEATH" never used The scat" as pre-
server of discipline again.
What Mobbins Costs.