Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-09-07

weeks; and ere they had been on
board an hour were at work, urging
with every plea of cupidity or revenge,
the rising en- maSse, numbering every
man who opposed, seizing the ship,
and cruising as they choose. The ex-
act object of the seizure was not clear,
but the plan was simply this: The
temporary berths were 70 be torn
down to furnish clubs and materials
for building q fire under the fore
mast hatch A large number was TO
be ready, when the flames should rise
and the crew rush forward TO extin-
gnish it, to rush up the main hatch
way, massacre every man as he came
in their way aud thus gain possession.
They had chosen their captain, nayi.
gator and other officers, and it was
concerning this choice that alterca-
tion had arisen. The opinions about
the truth of this statement were vari-
ous-the captain ridiculing the idea as
absurd, but the two interpreters join
ing in their belief that it was true and
ominously shaking their heads at the
captains disbelief.
1T BREAKS OUT.
For two days the matter rested,
nothing further being heard concern
ing the mutiny. The ship was bowl
ing along finely before a nine.knot
breeze toward midnight of the third
day, the moon was shining beautiful
ly, and all quiet save the ripping of
the water under our bows and the reg
ular trade Of the sentry at his post
We were expecting 20 make the land
at Angler Point about daylight
Suddenly a bright CLEAN of flame
shot up from the forecastle and yell
like that Of ten thousand demons burst
on the still night IT needed no
further alarm to arouse every body
from sleep. Every man was up and
at his post as the fearful conviction of
his imminent danger presented itself
The door Of the main hatch, the only
means Of egress, was instantly lock-
ed; every blundorbuss, cutlass and
pistol was passed out by the stew
ardess, who, with great presence Of
mind, had run TO the arm chests
the ship put about, and the pumps
manned in less time than il takes TO
describe il.
Knowing that n crowd was collect
ed under and on the ladder, the top OF
the main housing was broken in or.
der 10 dislodge them; but meanwhile,
several of the foremost rioters were
striving TO force the door with clea
vers stolen from the cooks, and had
partially succeeded in prying it open
against a dozen men who were en-
deavoring to fasten a spar across out
side. In spite Of the utmost exertion
the door yielded enough TO allow an
arm to be thrust through and blow
struck, wounding an officer Quick
as thought the muzzlc of pistol was
against his breast, and with its ex-
plosion the Coolie reclcd backward,
carrying with him all on the ladder,
and allowing the door to be effectual-
ly closed
THE SCENE IS ALL ITS HORRORS.
Then commenced a scene the most
terrific and appealing. The foilod
wretches, maddened by defeat at the
very outset, rushed with furious yclls
from one hatch to another, swinging
lighted fire brands or striving to
wrench away the iron bars that COW
cred them, or hurting bolts and clubs
at every face that poeped down from
above. The red glare of the flames
lit up the sky, and in spite of con-
stant stream OF water from the pumps
appeared scarcely TO diminish.
Tarpaulins were then thrown over
the forward matches and the stream Of
water directed upon them. The
smoke thus confined the ship, and the
Coolies, who had been burning the oil
stolen from the ships hole TO increase
the blaze, were obliged to crowd af
to get fresh air; but men, stationed
at every loop hole and crevice, shot
down with remorselcss vengeance
every one Of them who appeared with.
in range till ere long not one could be
seen from any point on deck. Afler
few moments the tarpaulins were
raised, the better to direct the water
from the pumps, but draft, re.es-
tablished. the flames burst forth again,
and simultaneously a rush was made
by the crowd to the main hatch. 1t
was in vain; the door had been too
securely fastened, aud the guards were
on the watch.
A CESSATION.
Gradually there fell an ominous fall
in the uproar, and we feared that
some means had been found TO force
an exit Although have stated that
the rioters could withdraw out of
sight Of those on the upper deck, yet
below there was a bulk head, or par
tition Of very thick plank, shutting
of their part of the deck aud allow
ing a space between it and the cabin.
Through cracks in this partition il
was found that tolerably good Wow
of the whole scene of riot could
be obtained, and through these the
miscreanis could be seen gliding hith-
or and thithcr, their dark forms tingcd
with a dusky red glaro from the
smouldcring flames, or grouped TO-
gether in consultation Suddenly, rs
If animated by one impulse, they
would start and with terrific yells rush
from one end of the deck to the other,
making ones blood almost curdlo at
tho conviction that they had actually
found a way Of escape Unsuccessful
by this means in calling away tho
watchful marksmen, whose fearful
death dealing weapons only found new
victims as they passed in view, they
abandoned the plan and again with
drew from sight, probably TO the first
or lOwermOst deck.
Meanwhile il must not be supposed
that the spar deck was free from Coo.
lies. More than a hundred had come
up early in the evening, but unarrncd,
and, even if evil inclined. unwilling to
show any sympathV with the mutt.