The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-08
Selected story.
MUTINY ABOARD.
,.,rsorraur ApvEYrrRE.

ouarsermasler called my attention to an I'M
usually fine merchantmen that was lust round
inc MacquaTie Point
She was very handsome CLIPPER, and as
she slowly came up before the faint breeze,
her sun'bleaehed sails shone out in dazzling
We teness against the dark forests of gum
trees that surround the lovely harbour OF
Fort Jackson. Her long hull, though low and
black, was yet exceedingly graceful, and, for
vessel of her tonnage, she seemed 10 sit light
ly on the water.
having nothing better to do, ! resolved to
board her. and accordingly ordered the Gig TO
be manned.
n. WIN icng, steady strokes we approached
the vessel, the sovenly way in which they
were taking in sail, the general slacllness and
untidiness OF everything connected with her,
becaIe painfully apparent. Not that she
was worse than the generality of merchant
vessels, but, leaving frigate in the magniii-
cent order and seamanike condition OF the
Herald, without so much as rope-yarn out
OF place, the contrast was so very great. On
board, all was noise, hustle, and confusion.
The captain, who received me courteously at
the gangway, was surprised to find, was
young, 9entlemanly-lookin2 man.
In command OF these Australian clippers,
one generally finds rough, bearish old Scotch
men, who take pride ~ saying lnat tney
ecame in through the bawse holes" By which
sailors. AIRY one knowing much about them
would never doubt the truth OF this iayOrite
oast of theirs.
However, in this case it was entirely differ
ent. The captain, as | surmised, was prct-
te2e oil the o@neis, and was accordi agly pIac-
ell in command of this fine vessel as soon as
he had satisfied the very moderate requir-
ments OF the Board of Trade.
Lie was a most agreeable man of good edu-
cation, but totally deficient ia any strength OF
purpose, any tirmness Of will or quickneSs OF
decisions, hence 1 saw that lie was by no
means the right man in the right place.
After our first meeting, we were good
deal together whilst his ship was dischareing
cargo, ard taking in her homeward freight
AS I expected, the greater number of his
crew deserted in Sidney, and he had to make
up the complement from ihe loafers and vii
famous riff-rat that abound in colonial sea-
port. The day before he was to sail for En-
gland he expressed 20 me his distrust of his
new crew; they were certainly as rascally
lot Of rulfians as one would be likely to meet
with.
Having had considerable experience of the
merchant service, knew tolerably well what
these fellows were; when whilst at anchor
anywhere inside the harbor they be-
come nearly unmanageabe.
therefore volunteered TO see my friend
out OF his difficulties, by accompanying him
TO the mouth OF the harbor, a distance OF
about six miles, and then returning with the
pilot. My offer was gladly accepted.
On the following day, went on board Just
Gs tue halfdrunken crew, with much shout
ing and singing, were weighing the anchor.
TIE Iussy little tug-boat lashed alongside was
Kissing and steaming, and, as soon as the an
Choir was at the bows, her powerful engines
began to move the two vessels slowly cut
from the quay into the stream. Then all
nrOnuaI their ipu
on the rigging, greeted the bystanders and tie
chipping with drunken cheers. And so they
continued to work spasmodically, and re-
peatedly leaving of TO cheer, ieebly and dis
cordantly, anything that was passing. Ii
was only too evident that there would be
trouble with them yet, if there should nc: be
wind enough outside the Heads to enable the
ship to get clear away to sea that evening.
The captain was already as nervous as he
could be, and so said nothing of my fears.
1t was with much concerns tor him that no
ticed the veerng flaws OF wind growing faint
e..
AZ we slowly wound ia and out amongst
the lovely bays OF this superb harbor, at ev-
cry turn apparently land-locked in a different
lake, e4ch OF beauty surprising the last the
wind gradually died away. The golden rays
OF the setting sun stepped one shore in glo-
rious food of warm light, whilst the high
cliff and richly wooded slopes of the other
were II dark sombre shade. by degrees the
frightening shadows. extending far out into
the blue waters, stretched over to the oppo-
site shore, and enveloped al in cold gray
twilight.
BY this time the noisy rafting old tug had |
taken the vessel within sight of the Heads; |
and it being now a dead calm, she was brought |
TO an anchor near a rect called the Sow and
Pigs, In such position that she could stand |
out TO sea with the first breese. This done,
WAC eft off md Tod 20
return to Sydney.
As soon as the cable was secured, the mate |
reported that the crew demanded crog. The |
men being already in half intoxicated state. |
their request, which was really demand, |
was not complied with. This was the begin |
ming OF troubles.
There Immediately followed much murrnur- /
ing and many erowls of dissatisfaction, grad |
ualy growing louder and more vehement |
Presently angry voices were heard, In fierce |
alteration with the mates at the very doors |
OF the cabin, and then about thirty OF the |
worst Of the crew rushed violently into the |
saloon, at the farther end OF which the cap |
tain and l were sitting.
They were an ugly looking mob, some with |
blue snirls, some with red, many with apth- |
er, but nearly all braudishing large open |
knives. With hightiul oatLs, and threats, |
they demanded that the keys of the "lazarete" |
in which the spirits are kept, should be given |
to them. This, of course, was refused, and |
they were ordered to leave the saloon. AT |
this they yelled and shouted deiantlN still |
demanding the cask OF rum. | attempted to |
speak to them, but my voice was Immediately |
drowned in torrent CT imprecations.
In the adjoining state-room Of the captain,
areVolvcr was lying on a table. 1 stepped |
quietly back, and returned with it concealed |
under my uniform coat. The captain then, |
by my advice, ordered the boatswain to pipe !
Z 10
nll with derisive laughter and yels OF defiance.
Abe time for action had come, so putting the |
captain little aside, l stepped forward, tax |
Ing care to let the revolver be seen. The |
sight of the deadly weapon produced an al
most instantaneous silence amongst this cow-
cTdl7 crew.
Then, speaking slowly and firmly, said,
"Boatswain, you have been ordered by your
captain to pipe to supper; do so.''
He answered, with string of oaths that he |
would not, and concluded by telling me to |
mind my own business. Taking no notice OF |
his braGgadocio, again spoke to him, in a |
tone that implied that l should be as good as |
my word.
"Boalswain,n said. 81 have given Won an |
order; if you fail any longer to obey il, will |
put 1t 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 your head. Now then, what do you |
say to it,"
With these words slowly cooked the re- |
volver, and took deliberate aim at his head. |
AT the first sound OF that disagreeable click |
of the pistollock he cried cut, For goodness |
SAKE don't fire, sir, I'll do it," adding in low |
2rowl to the others, 1T don't matter chaps, |
know. you won't go none the more fort"
The boatswains shril whistle then rang
sharply and clearly through the saloon, but
no one needed it except to greet it with wells
and rcars Of derisive laughter.
AS soon as l could make myself heard
above the tumult, I said steTnly and reso.
lutely-
"Men, you have disobeyed your captain,
but you shall do as 1 tell YOU" (Hele there
were shouts OF, "who are you? Go back and |
bully your own men, and the lke.) Now,
] ORDER you all to clear cut of this CABIN" |
Here again l was interrupted by cries OF.
won't" and much stronger expressions to
rae same eTact.
Every good,' l continued; You won't
We'll, then, III give you three minutes to al
ter your minds: at the end of that time III
blow out the brains of tie 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, but watched me standing with The
pistol in one hand and my watch il the other.
"One minute has gone: you have only two
minutes left, and you will have but one more
warning This 1 said keeping my eyes on
the dial OF the watch.