Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-24

Ihe poor IeIlOW, VINO. was one OF tnG
best helmsmen in the ship, took hold o.
the spokes again, and muttered-
81 was steering to hairs BREADTH ,
"What's that you say?"
al say l was steering as well as any
man could, and you are - tyrant,
} captain"
The captains face grew black with
passion, and the light foam few from
his lips as he screamed
''Mr. Jackson, clap this fellow in
irons-no, seize him up-make spread
eagle of him-I'll teach him to toe the
mark"
The mate, Mr.. jackson, in vain at
tempted to 9th the madman, who com
PEELED his officers to "seize up" the un-
fortunate sailor-that is, to lash his
wrists to the shrouds, with his back
bare for punishment. This is called
making "spread eagle" l dare not
dilate on the sickening scene that ensued.
Suffice it that the captain with his own
hand fogged the man most brutally in
the presence of all hands, and not a
soul of us dared to speak.
That night we signed round robin,
that is, a paper stating grievances or
petition, with the names Of the men
written in circle, so that no one can be
pitched upon as the ringleader-ad-
dressed to the chief mate, stating that
we all felt that our lives were not safe
in the hands of the captain, as he was
obviously insane, and requesting the
mate to take command of the ship, and
place the captain in confinement. We
sent this to Mr.. Jackson, by one of the
boys, and in quarter of an hour the
mate came forward.
"Men," said he, edo you known what
you are about? You are in open mu-
tiny-and you know what the penalty
for that is. Captain L is captain,
and his will is law. We must submit to
it. Were to do my duty strictly, l
should take this" pointing to the round
robin, ''to the captain; but don't want
to make matters worse. Let US get to
port, and then complain as you please.
But for your own sakes and for my sake,
don't mutiny."
We all respected the mate, and his
words made a great impression. We
consulted together, and the prudence of
the majority overcame the fierce i'm
pulse of the bolder spirits. 1t was,
however, tacitly understood, that if
matters grew much worse we would risk
the penalty of mutiny by seizing the
captain, for we all now considered him
undoubtedly insane, although the mate
acted rightly enough on holding aloof at
present, as the captain had not as yet
evinced himself incapable of managing
the ship.
Whether any whisper had leaked out
in the cabin, through the steward or
officers, 1 cannot tell; but the captain
undoubtedly suspected what had passed.
At noon, the next day he came on deck
with a double barreled gun in his
hands, and deliberately loaded it in our
presence. When he had done this, he
called all hands aft, and in language
that sufficiently indicated, from its wild
incoherency, that he was undoubtedly
insane, he addressed the crew, winding
up with the words
"You think to get the upper hand of
me, don't you? You will mutiny-you
will take the ship away from me? IN
make an example-I'll show you whom
you have to deal with Mr.. Jackson,
let those two men be seized up this
minute for I'll make spread eagles of
'em as sure as l i've"
AS he spoke. the captain pointed to
two of the nearest men-one an Ameri-
can, the other an Englishman. These
poor fellows looked round at their mess
mates, and seeing how undecided all
were, they suddenly turned and sprang
into the rigging-running aloft for safe
ty. r...-a
The captains eyes glared like wild
beasts, and seizing his gun, he shouted:
clay down this moment, both of ye,
or I'll shoot yel'' ~ .-.- .ft-4
They saw the threatening movement,
and heard the command; but this only
caused them to run up the rigging
higher and higher. Twice more the
captain hailed them, and then he raised
his piece, and quick as lightning leveled
and fred. A burst of execration from
us all followed, for the ball struck the
Englishman and broke his leg. He
fell like wounded bird into the main
top, and screamed in agony.
80 God! what have you done, Cap
tain L." exclaimed the horror
stricken mate. "You have committed
murder"
"No, / have not" answered the cap
tain-'I ordered the fellow down, and
if he won't obey, it's mutiny, and the
law win justify me in killing him, or
you either-so mind what you say"
The mate turned aside, and when one
of the Oldest seamen whispered in his
ear, ''say the word, sir, and we will clap
the madman in irons," be only shook
his head, and buried his face in his
hands.
Meanwhile the American, a fine
young fellow known by the soubriquet
of "Boston Bill" had assembled the
royal yard, and was looking down on
deck to see what course matters were
taking. The captain, not satisfied with
disabling one man, at this moment
pointed his gun at him, and hoarsely |
ordered him on deck. threafenino IN