The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-04-05


to strike the blow at the mate and cap
tain.
But the fools had forgotten that
had my sheath-knife in belt round
my waist Luckily for me, too, it was
little loose in its sheath. But it was
necessary to Work very carefully, or
they would notice my movements. 1
lay still till saw Bill slide down the
topsail sheets forward of the mast
His shirt was heavily filed out all
round, and he took out several pistols
as soon as he reached the deck, with
cartridges to match. He and Barney
went to work to load and prepare
them, while the others covered their
movements by walking before them,
carelessly singing snatches of songs.
/ thought now it was time for me to
begin operations. BY carefully lifting
and writhing my body a few times, |
contrived to drop my knife gently out
of its sheath on the deck. Then work
ing myself feet foremost, little by lit
tie till my head was near 1t, | manag-
ed after some difficulty, to cut the
lashing of the gag. The knife was
| very sharp, but this was the worst OPP.
Grafton of all, and l did not succeed
until | had cut my cheek quite severe
ly. But twas not time to think of
that then.
Cleared of the gag, got the knife
in my teeth, and soon severed the
seizing that bound my wrists. The
rest was easy. still lay quiet after
my limbs were free. / even put the
gag in again, so that when the Parsce
ran round TO leeward and peercd in ut
me, he thought was all secure as |
had been left.
Two more men of the other watch
came up out OF the forecastle Tor fore.
cabin) to join the mutineers; and then
they closed the side OF the scuitle and
fastened it securely, leaving four i'm
prisoned below.
The whole party, seven in number,
now began TO move aft-that is, to-
wards the stern cabin, where the Off
GERS were. They collected their force
within range of the long boat, ready
for i rush. Bill turned TO the others
Where's Shorty 2" he demanded.
'.All safe" whispered Paine, point.
ing towards me.
The leader leaned over and glanced
at me, as | lay motionless, with the
gag still in my mouth.
"All right" said he; "well do for
him afterwards. Softly as cats, now
boys.-come on!
They passed round the head of the
boat, but they were not quicker than
| was. | rose to- my feet, aud darted
aft on the lee side. One of the after
matches was left off, as | wcll.knew.-
| dropped lightly down upon the wa
er-casks. and crept out of sight.
Il seemed to me at that moment
that the power OF all my senses was
centred in my ears. But, instead of a
struggle or fall, as had expected, l
heard oply loud slam of the doors
leading into the cabin; and then angry
dispute between Bill and one of his
own gang, Abraham Hicks. Cautious
ly leaned forward into the hatch
way, and heard enough to satisfy me
as TO the cause of the quarrel.
1t would seem that Just as the mu-
tineers reached the break of the quar-
ter-deck, where it was necessary TO
ascend two steps, the mate, uncon-
scious Of danger, stepped into the cab
indoor, which opened aft near the
helmsman. But, instead of falling
back, and waiting quietly till he should
come out again, Hicks who was in ad-
vance, dashed on, despite the whisper
ed remonstrance of Bill and Barney,
and slammed the doors. Then seiz-
ing a marlin-spike, he drove it secure
ly into the staple, thus imprisoning all
the officers below. The alarm was
thus given, and nothing accomplished.
The rage of Bill was fearful at hav-
ing his plan bungled in this manner
He had intended to kill the mate, if
possible, without noise; and after that
| it would be easy to manage the sec
ond mate and captain, taken by sur
prise in their berths. The quarrel
grew fiercer and louder-I heard 3
-another-then pistol shot,
and heavy fall.
No one seemed to take any trouble
about the fallen man He must have
been shot dead, l thought, for | heard
no groan or movement, such as q
wounded man would make. Bill or
dered the Parsee to go and stand guard
over the forecastle, and the steward
to remain at the cabin doors.
"Here, Paine" said he, "come with
me- Bring the lantern from the
roundhouse.''
They were coming into the after
hold | had only time to crawl up
into the wing" and crouch down in
to the narrow space behind the water
casks, when the two jumped down
with light and bucket. They did
not come towards me, but went on
the opposite side, where there was a
barrel of liquor standing on its head.
"Give me the top-maul," said Bill ;
"there, on the coils of the rigging"
A few blows forced in the head,
and the bucket was filled by dipping
it into the barrel.
"We are in bad scrape, now," he
muttcred, "thanks to that sneaking
blockhead, Hicks. But hell never
bungle another job of this kind"
"How are we going to manage it
now?" asked Paine. "If we open the
doors and let them up, we shall have
some hard fighting to do"
eyes. We could oyerpower them,
| suppose; but some of us would get
killed in doing it. We must smoke
'em. Get that iron pot and bring it
| ON deck with no fI,hara,s a Lot Of