Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-22

tempted 10 speak 10 Ihoun, o"s w.
was Immediately drowed in a torrent OF
imprecations.
In the adjoining statcrooin of the cap.
tain's a revolver was lying on the table.
! stepped quietly back, and returned
with it concealed under my uniform coat.
The captain then, by my advice, ordered
the boatswsin to pipe to supper. This
command was received by all with deri-
sive laughter and yells of defiance. The
time Cor action had come, so putting the
captain little aside, l stepped forward,
at the same time taking care TO lot the
revolver be seen. The sight Of the dead
-ly weapon produced almost insiantane
Gus silence among the eowardly crew.
Then, speaking slowly ard FIRMLY, !
said:
!"Boatswain, you have been ordered
by your captain to pipe to supper; do
So"
He answered with an oath that he
would moi, and concluded by telling me
20 mind my own business Taking no
notice of bis braggadocio. | again spoke
to him in tone that implied that |
should be as good as my word.
"Boatswain," / said, Il have giver
you an order, if you fail any longer 20
obey it, / win put it out OF your power
to obey or disobey another order in this
world for as sure as you stand there, |
will send one of these balls through youi
head. Now then, what DO you say to
it."
With these words I slowly cooked my
revolver, and took deliberate aim at bis
head.
AT the first sound OF that 1isagrceable
click of the pistol lock he cried out, "For
goodness sake. don't fire, sir, I'll do it. .
adding in a low tone to the others. /,
don't matter chaps, know you won't so
none the more for't."
The boatswain's shrilI whistle then
rang sharply and clearly through the sa-
loon; but no ore needed it except to
greet it with yells aud roars Of derisive
laughter.
As soon rs could make myself heard
above the tamult, said stelnly and res
olutcly-
''MeD, you have disobeyed your cap
tain, but yor shall do as | tell YOU"
(Here there were shouts of "who arc
you? Go back and bully your own
men," and the like J "Now / order
you to clear out of this cabin" Here a.
gain was interrupted by cries Of ''wont"
and much stronger expressions OF the
same effect.
"Very good" continued; "you
won't. Well then I'll give you three
minutes to alter your minds; at the end
Of that time Ill blow out the brains oil
the nearest man, and then the next, and
so on.
AT this there was great buzz and
talking amongst the men, yet they
showed no signs of moving, and watched
me standing with the pistol in one hand,
and my watch in the other.
"One minute has gone; you have on
" two minutes left, and you will have
but one more warning" This said
keeping my eyes on tho dial ofthc watch.
The crowd received this with sulky
groan, but yet they seemed as if they
would stand to their ground. 1t was
strange to see these wild, almost frantic
men cowed into state Of dogged silence
by one determined man with revolver.
1.-Two minutes have gone; warn you
no moe. The instant this hand passes
the third minute fire, and tho nearest
man will be my mark"
For few moments more they stood
grumbIing ana growing; but on hearing
the click of the cooking Of the, re-
volver they began to waver. Then,
comparing the respective distances of the
foremost men from me, and fixing my
eyes steadiast on one burly fellow, | said
in low tone. as if speaking to myself.
vet loud enough to be heard by all. 81
think he is the nearest; yes, yes, by some
inches" At this lie cowed down and
drew back TO give one of bis comrades
the preference. He in his turn gave way
to another, and so on until it was evident
that no one was DESTROYS of being the
foremost, and so they moved sulkily of
out of the cabin. They seemed sadly ap-
p.ehcnsive that the last minute would be
shorter than either of the two preceding
ones, apd it was really lulierous, to see
Low the last half dozen tumbled over
one another in their bo: haste to get out
Of the saloon.
"Alone again With me, ,coptain," be
exclaimed. seizing me warmly 10y both
hands. Thanks, my dear friend-a
thousand thanks. But what an awful
risk you have run. Did you not know
that there was not chamber loaded in
that revolver, nor single cap on?"
"My dear sir" / replie.l, 81 knew ihat
perfectly well, but the men didn't, and
trusted rightly that they would not find
il out"
Having somewhat imprudently re
placed the pistol in the captains cabin,
we went on deck to calm our minds with
some good cigars.
The captain going below shortly after
wards, came quickly on deck again, and
with CONSERVATION plainly visible in every
feature, whispered to me
"The revolver is gone--they have sto'
len i. We shall have more trouble to.
night What are we to do uowa"
"You are right" l replied, I'VE have
not done with these rascals yet; and il