Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-10-29

proved himself to be a good seaman, and
fair navigator, though we were not lcug
10 discovering that Mr.. Wales was Gar bis
superior in the latter respect.
One dark night during the mid. watch.
the captain came on deck and went 10 the
wheel. The bark was then close hauled
upon the larboard tack, though she bad
freedom enough 10 carry a slack bow-line.
The first mate bad the deck.
Mr. Wales said thh captain, 'call all
hands to tack ship
why, sir returned the mate, much sur.
IpriseG at bis order, she lays her coarse now,
and has nearly point to spare.'
Call all hands, l say, exclaimed Stark,
in a savage tone.
But, sir urged Wales there's no.
ne.d.'
Silence, sir. Clap stopper on that
law of yours, or TIL level you. Call all
hands and about ship. Let the lazy
Whelps have something to do
| The mate stood wtere tho light of the
binnacle shone upon bis face, and could
see that be was pale. and That his lips trem.
bled. Yet he moved not to obey the or.
ders he had received.
you won't, eh ? Kissed Stark, interpret.
ing the mates silence TO suit HIMSELF -
Take that, then. I'll see who commands
here
As he spoke, he spraDg upon the mate,
and with one blow Of his massive fist he |
knocked him down. His next movement
was towards the forecastle companon-way, |
where he sang out for all hands to come
on deck, and ss soon as they were all up, |
be returned to the wheel, and having or.
dered bis men to take their station for
tacking ship, be went down to his cabin
When be returned, he had evident drank
again, and he bore in bis hands a pair Of
heavy pistols.
Now men, he shouted, in tones that
plainly showed that bis tongue was thick
from the effects Of alcohol. Il am going
to exercise you. want to see how you
can handle ship in the dark. The first
man among you who disobeys, dies upon
the spot. Mark that Now ready aboutp
The men knew with whom they had to
dealsnd they dared not disobey. They saw
the demon captain standing in the light of
the binnacle 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
90 to his assistance.
The bark was put about, and then she
was put back again upon the larboard
tack. By this time Mr.. Wales had recov-
cred and got upon his feet. Again the
captain ordered the men to tack ship, and
once more she was put back upon her ori-
ginal course.
There growled Stark, with a scowl of
satisfaction, that is to pay you for grum.
bling yesterday And then, without
speaking to bis mate. be turned and went
below
Cautiously the men gathered about Mr..
Wales, but be was too much agitated to
pass any opinion upon what had occurred.
There was a largo dark spot just below bis
right temple, where the iron fist bad struck
him, but he told the men that he was not
hurt. and, having told the off watch that I
they might 60 below, lie went to the hen
coop and sat down.
This affair produced deep sensation I
upon the crew, and more than one man t
whispered the thought of giving Stark
hoist over the side; but had this been gen. q
orally agreed to, il would have been bard
plan to carry out, forthe brutal captain al h
ways went armed, and he had his eyes a
open for danger. He knew the feelings P
which the crew entertained towards him, CT
md this seemed to make him exult the CT
more in his cruelty. He was in short one st
f those men very seldom met with who
eem to take a delight in tortaring their OF
ellows. His nature was beastly, and his St
ormer life bad evidently been of a stamp te
D develope the demon in him.
Between the captain and the mate there M
assed no more words save such as were so
bsolutely necessary in the pursuance of bu. nc
ness, until after the bark had entered the sh
indian ocean. Between those two men
lere was a deep seated animosity, and
eaven knows that on the mates side it was pc
lst. Stark knew that the men sympa, to
lised with Wales, and he allowed no op. so
ortunity to pass without inaieting snnoy- aV
lces upon tho crews favorite officer. But
,ings were soon to come to climax. re'
One bright morning when the bark was pt
I st. Mary the southern cape of MAZDA. nj
1scer, Mr.. Wales had command of the
atcb. Captain Stark came up from his an
bin and having stood by the wheel few th
oments, he turned towards his mate. an
Seems TO me you've made poor logs at
lis last three hours he said with an no
Ith which we have no desire TO trans thl
ibe. fa. wa
The bark has made as good headway
usual,' returned Wales, in tone made wi
emulous by the emotions that moved ba
m. 4-s,..
You lie,' rejoined Stark with another wa wa
nth. s'o
If YOU were gentleman, sir, ] would
ke some notice Of your insults; but IA
IN not stoop to wrangle with brute ge
Mr.. Wales spoke in a low hushed tone,
ID his face was ashy pale. He was a tut
m, delicate man, or at least he appeared
when compared with the giant captain; era
It his soul was stung now, and he looked gu
e brute in the face. aft
Never before had we seen the captain for
ok SO perfectly savage as he did then.- Th
he blood even left his face, phenomena mi
l.. l. ,to,,oo he oyo. ,,roJunod 49,.