True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-10-14
2, RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.


surprised at his order, "she lays her
course now. and has nearly point 10
spare"
"Call all hands, say" exclaimed
Stark, in savage tone.
"But, sir" urged Wales, there's no
need"
"Silence, sir. Clap a stopper on that
jaw Of yours, or I'll level you. Call all
hands and about ship. Let the lazy
whelps have something to do"
The mate stood where the light of the
pinnacle shone upon his face. and could
see that he was pale, and that his lips
,rembled, Yet he moved not to obey the
orders he had received. 4.
"You wont, eh 7" Kissed Stark, inter.
preting the mates silence to suit himself.
'Take that, then. I'll see who commands
here"
AS bespoke. he sprang upon the mate,
aud with one blow Of his massive fist he
knocked him down. His next movement
was towards the forcastle companion-way,
where he sang out for all hands to come
on deck, and as soon as they were all up,
he returned to tho wheel, and having or.
dered his men TO take their station for
tacking ship, he went down 10 his cabin.
When he returned, he had evidently
drank again, and he bore in his hands a
pair of heavy pistols.
"Now, mAn," he shouted, in tones
that plainly showed that his tongue was
thick from the effects of alcohol, 81 am
going 10 exercise you. | want to see
how you can handle a ship in The dark.
The first man among you who disobey:
dies upon the spot. Mark that {! Now
ready abou!!'
The men knew with whom they had
10 deal, and they dared not Gisobey.-
They saw the demon captain standing in
the light Of The pinnacle lamp. and they
felt sure he would shoot any one who
showed signs Of insubordination. The
mate still lay upon the deck insensible,
but no one dared to go to his assistance,
The bark was put abont, and then she
was put back again upon the laboard tack
By this time Mr.. Wales had recovered
and got upon his feet. Again the captain
ordered the men to tack ship, and once
more she was put back upon her Original
course.
"There.', growled Stark, with a scowI
OF satisfaction, "that is to pay you fol
grumbling yesterday" And then. with.
ou. speaking to his mate, he turned and
went below"
Cautiously the men gathered about Mr..
Wales, but he was too much agitated to
pass any opinion upon what had occur.
red. There was 4 large dark spct jus,
below his right temple. where the iron
fist had struck him, but he told the men
that be was not hurt, and, having told
the off watch that they might 60 below,
he went to The hen'coop and sat down.
This affair produced deep sensation
upon the crew, and more than one man
whispered the thought Of giving Stark
hoist over The side; but had this beer
generally agreed to, i, would have been 6
hard plan 10 carry out, for the brutal cap
tain always went armed, and he had hi:
eyes open for danger. He knew the feel
ings which the crew entertained toward.
him, and this seemed 10 make him exul
the more in his cruelty. He was il
short one Of those men very seldom me
with who seem to take delight in tor
turing their fellows. His nature wa.
beas.ly, and his former life had evidentl,
been of stamp to develop The demon il
him.
Between the captain and the mat,
there passed no more words save such a.
were absolutely necessary in the pursu
, ance Of business, until after the bark hat
entered the Indian ocean. Between thos,
two men there was deep seated animos
ity, and heaven knows that on the mate
side it was just. Stark knew that tn,
men sympathized with Wales, and he al
, lowed no opportunity to pass without in
3 flicting annoyance upon the crews favor
, ite officer. But things we're soon TO com
to climax.
\ One bright morning when the bark wa
off st. Mary, the southern cape Of MAZDA
q caster, Mr.. Wales had command Of th
watch. Captain Stark came up from h,
Q cabin and having stood by the wheel
few moments, he turned towards hi
. mate.
] Seems to me you've made poor log
8 this las, three hours" he said with a
: oath which we have no desire to trans
!. cribe.
Q I" The bark has made as good head wa
It as usual" returned Wales, in a ton
!. made tremulous by the emotion tho
i, moved him.
i "You lie," rejOined Stark with anolh
s oath. Y
"If fvou were gentleman. sir, | woul
], take some notice Of your insults; but
o will not sioop TO wrangle with q brute: /,
}. Mr.. Wales spoke in a low hushed tone
. and his face was ashy pale. He was
Z slim, delicate man, or, at least he appear
ed SO when compared with the giant car
u tain /; but his soul was stuhg now, on
4. q N a "a n