The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-06-24

day he came on deck, with a double balrcled
gun in his hands, and deliberately loaded it
with ball in our presence. When he had
done this, he called all hands aft, and in Ian
g!'aEe that sufficiently indicated, from lis
wild incohcrtncy, that he was undoubtedly
insane, he addressed the crew, winding IN
with these words
"iou think to get the upper hand of me, do
you! You will mutiny-you will take the
ship away from me! I'll make an example
Ill show you whom you have to deal with
Mr.. jackson, let those two mon be seized up
this minute, for IL make spread eagles Of
/ EN- sure as | live"
AS he spoke, the captain pointed to two
Of the nearest mcn-one an American, the
other and Englisllman. These poor fellows
looked round at their mcsslnatcs and seeing
how undecided all wcre they suddenly turn
cd and sprans into the rigsing-runnng aloft
for safety.
The captains eyes glarcd like wild beasts
and Selling his gun, he shouted
Lay down this moment, both of We, or III
shoot yc"
They saw the threatening movement, and
heard the command; but this only caused
them to run up the rigging higher and high
CT. Twice more the captain hailed them,
and thea he raised his piece, and, quick as
lightning, lcvcllcd and fired. \ burst Of cx-
ccra'ion from Us al followed, for the ball had
struck the Enslislman and broken his leg.
He fell like a wounded bird into the main
top, and screamed in agony.
"oh, God what have You done, Captain
L--:' exclaimed the horror stricken mate.
'Nou have committed murder"
mo, have not, " answered the captain
81 ordered the fellow down, and if he wont
obey, It's mu'iny, and the law viii justify
me in killing him, or killing you cthcr-so
mind what you say
Tie mate turned aside, and when one of
the Oldest seamtn whispered in his car
Say the word Sir and We will clap the mad
man in irons" he only shook his head; and
! buried his face in his hands.
! Meanwhile the American, u fine Young fcl-
los, known by thr <o;'briqut of boston
Bill" had assembled to the royal yard, and
was looking down on deck to see what course
matters were taking. The captain not salts
fed with disabling one man, at this moment
pointed his gun at him and hoarscly ordered
him on deck, threatening to shoot him if lie
| rIf,ls cd.
Come down man, for heavens sake ~ re-
pcatcd the mate.
lie will iog ne if do, sir"
YES III fog You, sure enough, yelled the
captain.
Then viii die before come down -
Without another word the captain COM
mcnccd taking a deliberate aim, and half a
dozen voices shouted to the man whose life
was in this fearful jeopardy
Jump overheard, Bill, or you arc dead
man! Jump Cor life!'
In all instant the sailor ran along the foot
rope and chung TO tie royal yard arm to l,c-
ward. The alternative was indeed horrible
fhc lcapc>l overheard from that dreadful
height he ran the risk Of being dasl.el TO pic
Cos if he fell sideways on the water or of be-
ing snapped up by a shark or drowned, let
him fall which way he would. The captain
shifted his aim, and his finger was ON the
trigger.
Jump, Bill, jump'' screamed his mess
mate, and his resolution was taken. lie
would leap for life.
Lowering himself from the yard arm with
his hands, he pointed his feet downwards,
and Glove Tie air with the velocity Of a can
non ball. \ second or two and he had dis
appeared in the curling green sea.
The pcnt up excitement Of the crew found
vent at this moment. One party rushed on
| the captain, and dsarlncd him while the rest
put the helm down and threw the sails aback
to stop the motion of the ship, and sprang to
the falls of the quarter boat to lower away to
pick up the American, should he rise to the
surface.
\ brcathlcss pause Of very nearly minute
cnsucd and then we beheld the head of the
sailor emerge at the distance of a hundred
yards; and, being capital water dog, he
struck out boldly for the ship, and amid a
loud hurra was picked up. His 'leap for
life had been successful.
The other poor fellow who was shot aloft
was lowered on deck in a sling. lie was more
injured by the fall than the ball in his leg,
and died the same night in extreme agony.
The mate now consented to take command
of the ship, and Captain L was closely
confined till We came to port. BY that time
he was raving mad, and he di ed within three
days after being conveyed to hospital ashore.
GTThe following strange story is related
in the Quebec Mercury, of May 9th: AS
Captain Daniel German, of the ship Jesse,
from Limerick, was on his outward voyage,
and when about forty-fve miles southeast of
the Island of Anticosti. during thick fog,
and surrounded by field ice, he heard the re-
port ola gun. Surprising il to be signal
(oom another vessel near at hand, he caused
| tho foo bcll tn bo r,,nr To avoid collision Tn