The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-21
So PER ANNUM.

1
fui amount Of almost irresponsible powe,
that the law allows to sea captains.
We had been three weeks out, when 4
was my morning watch on deck. Six bell.
(sevcn o'clock) had just struck, and was
engaged coiling away the line of the log
which had been hove by order of the mate
then in charge of the deck, when SCaptain
= Unexpectedly came out of the cab
in. ! noticed that he had wild nervous
look, for he glanced around and nloft, Just
as n HAN might. do when suddenly aroused
| from dream. ...,-...-
WHATS the course p he abruptly deman'
ded of the man at the wheel.
"South east by east, sir"
The captain then stepped mp 10 the bin
nacle and looked Al the compass. Turning
ronnd with an oath, he struck tho man q
blow in the mouth that Knocked him away
rom the wheel, Al thundered-
You take the spokcs,in hand. You
know no more about steering than youu
mother ~
(Such were the exact words, for I dis.
tinctly remember ,hcm.)
The poor fellow who was one Of he best
helmsmcn in the ship took hold of the spokes
again, tire blood trickling down his chin, and
muttered-
II was steering to hair's-breadth."
whats that you say?"
81 say was steering rs well ns any mcn
could, and you're tyrart, cap.
tain"
The captains face grew black with pas
sion. and the light foam few from his lps
~ he screamed ...
"alr Jackson, clap this fellow in irons -
No, seize him uP---make sprea.keagie OF
himl Ill teach him to toe the mark :"
The Inaic, Jackson, in vain attempted IA
sootlre the madman, who compelled his of
iicers TO 'seize up" the unfortunate sailor
t'rrt il. 10 lash his wrists to the shrouds, with
his b:.ck bare for punishment. This is call
I making "spread eagle" dlrc not
dilnte on the sick, ming scene that ensured
Suffice il that the captain with his own hand
fogged the man most brutally in presence
of all hands, not soul Of dared TO speak.
That night we all signed Ground robin,
that is, paper stating grievance, rpeti
tion, with the mares Of the men written in q
circle, so that not one can be pitched upon
rs the observation-disclosures to the ehie
male, stating that NIL felt tint our lives were
not salf in the hands of the captain, ns he
was obviously insane, and requesting the
mate to take the command Of the ship, and
place the captain IN confinement. We sen,
this to Mr.. Jackson by one of the BOYS, and
in quarter of an hour the mate c.; me TO-.
ward.
"Mcn," said he, "do you know what you
are about You are in open mutiny-and
you know what the penalty for that is
For God sake let us have no more Of this
Captain L. is captain, and his will is
law. We must all submit to it. Were
TO do my duty strictly, should show this,
pointing 20 the round-robin, "to the captain
but I'don't want to make matters worso.-
Let US get 10 port, and then complain as you
please. But for your own sakes-and for
my sake-dont mutiny
We oil respected the mate, rnd his words
made great impression. We consulted tc,
gether, and the prudence Of the majority
overcame the fierce impulse of the bolder
spirits. 1t was, however, tacitly understood
that if matters grew much worse, we would
risk the dreadful penalty of mutiny by seiz.
ing the captain, for we now considered he
ives undoubtedly insane, although the mate
acted ,,ahtIv anouob In hold;no aIoof n,
present, as the captain had not yo. eyinc.
ed himself Incapable of MANAGING the shin.
w..,... ,,.,.n.h.s -, :.