Butte record., 1854-08-26
NUMBER AZ

were, they suddenly turned and sprang
into he riggiags-running aloit for safe
ty.
The captains eyes glared Ike wild
beasts, ami seiziag his gun he shouted:
"Lay down this moment, both OF ye,
or III shoot We Y
They saw the threatening movement,
and ard the command: but this only
caused them TO ran up the riging high
er and higher. Twice raore the captain
hailed them, and then he raised his piece,
and quick as lightning lsvelled and fred
! A bust Of exacrafi n from us all follow
ed, for the hall had struck the English
man aid broken his leg H. fell Ike
w.,unled bird into the maln-lop, and
screamed in ony
"Oh, God what have you done, cap
tain L--i'' exclaimed the horror
stricked mate. 'sYou have committed
murder ~
No, have not,p answered the cap
tain Il ordered the fellow down, and
if he woa'i obey, it's muiiay, and the
law viii justify me in killing him, or.
you either--so mind what you say."
The mate turned aside, and when one
of the old st seamen whispered IN his
ear, ',Say the the word, sir, and we will
clap the madman in Irons" he only
shook his head and buried his face in
his hand.
WeanS hile the American, a fine young
fellow. known by the sou5riguet Of Dos
ton Bill" had ascended 10 the royal
yard, and was locking down on deck to
see what course matters were taking
The captain, not satisfied with disabling
one man, at this moment pointed bis
gun at him, and hoarsely ordered him on
deck, threatening TO shoot him fhe re-
fused.
''Cone down, man, for heavens sake,,''
shouted the mate
"He will fog me if | do, sir"
eyes, III fog you, sure enough"
yelled the captain.
"Then l viii die before come down ~
Without another word, the captain
commenced taking deliberate aim,
and haif dozen voices shouted to the
man whose life was in this fearful eop-
ardy-
Jump overheard, Bill, or you are a
dead man Jump for life -
In an instant the sailor ran along the
footrope, and clung to the royal yard
arm 70 leeward. The alternative was
indeed horrible If he descended lie
would be fogged-if he renamed be
woui be shot-if he leaped overheard
from that dreadful height, he ran the
risk of being dashed to pieces if he fell
sideways On the water, or Of being
snapped by a shark or drownad, let him
( fall which way he would. The captain
shifted his aim, and his finger was on
the trigger.
Jump, Bill jumpl" screamed his
messma ties, and his resolution was taken.
He would lsap for lye,
Lowering himself from the yardarm
with his hands, he pointed feet down
ward, and Glove the air with the veloci-
ty Of a cannon ball. A second or two,
and he had disappeared in curling green
sea.
The pent-up excitement Of the crew
found vent at this moment. One party
rushed on the captain, and disarmed and
bound him, while the rest put the helm
down and threw the sails ahack, to stop
the motion Of the ship, and sprang toihe
fails of the quarter-boat, TO lower away
10 pick up the American, should he rise
to the surfJee
A breathless pause of very nearly
mi ute ensurd, and then we beheld the
head of the sailor emerge at the dis
tance Of a hundred yards; nd beiag a
capital wafer dog, he struck out boldly
for the ship, and amid loud hurra was
picked up. His '1eap for life had been
successful.
The other poor fellow who was shot
aloft was lowered on deck in a sling
He was more injured by the fall than by
the ball IN his leg, and died the SINE
night IN extreme agony.
Il The male now consented to take CON-
uiand of the ship, and Captain L.
was closely confined till we came to port.
] 5y that time he was raving mad. and he
died within three days after being con
{ veyed to a hospital ashore Shapes
London Hqga1ine.
/.