The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-27


light burning, preparing TO wait in the
dark for the expected attack Of. the
mutineers They had been reused by the
pistol shot in the other part of the shipto
find themselves imprisoned
\ part of the partition between them
and me was in the form Of light wooden
grating or lattice, "a admit free circula-
Of air. This had already been silently
removed, and at whisper from me, we
all went aft together. No firearms could
be got until we could open communica-
ton with the officers in the cabin. This
we dared not yet attempt, as the partition
was solid, and some noise must be made in
wrenching plank of.
The brig had been whaling on previ-
Gus voyage, and the bunch of lances, tied
together, were still on board. These we
found in rack under the deck -carllnes.
Though little rusty, they were still sharp
enough 10 be terrible weapons in the
hands of desperate men. if brought to
bay.
We had hardly secured these, when
there was a rally at the hatchway, and the
pot OF fire and sulphur was lowered down.
The hatch was instantly clapped on, and
the tarpau.in drawn all over. Had we
been taken unawares, minute or two
would have been sufficient TO smother US
TO death But we were prepared 10 meet
it, several tin cups having been brought
from the forecastle and filed with water
from the cask. Before the tarpaulin Gov
ering was fully secured over the matches,
the fire was all out, and had given the
word TO the officers in the cabin to open
communication by forcing off a plank.
The planks ran up and down, and few
blows of an axe at the foot, given from the
after side, would start the spikes At the
first blow, we heard the sound Of dancing
feet over head, and then the drunken shout
of Dark Bill-"Ay knock away, my
hearties thought the birthstone would
start ye! Keep good watch on the fore
scuttle, you darkey GO there with him,
Paine We shall have break out soon.
either forward or aft, but they'll be blinded
with smok e, and We'll have the advantage
of en-"
A few more blows Of the axe-the plank
is starting But how those three spikes
seemed 10 cling 10 the tough wood. The
enemy became suspicious, and lifted of
the hatch.
Halo the fires out" The voice was
that of Ugly Barney. Here, BILL
Paine rally here at the after-haschl
Quick, before they break through the
bulkhead !"
Barney jumped down TO seize the pot,
An opening was already made, and we were
through it, one at time. He caught sight
of US, but before he could retreat. Joe Bon
ner let drive his trusty lance, which passed
through the rutian body. pinning him 10
4 the stanchion. His cry OF mortal agony
brought his comrades TO aid him. We
were beyond their reach. Our whole force
was collected in the cabin.
But we had friend in the enemy camp.
! My chum, Dave Kent, was at the wheel,
and Bill, at the pistols mouth, had kept
him there for he could not spare one Of
his trusty men TO relieve him. He intend
/ ed, no doubt, 10 kill kim, as well as myself.
after he got full possession of the brig. l
had heard them hunting for me, and Bill
decided that must be either under deck
or aloft.
If he is aloft," said he. we'll attend TO
his case when we get daylight. If he's
crawled below. let him smell birthstone
with the rest
knew al along that Dave Kent wouldn't
lose chance of helping US, If he saw one.
But he was poweriess until the moment
when me mutineers rallied 70 the hatch
way, al the piercing cry from Barney,
leaving only the steward at the cabin-door.
Quick as thought. Dave seized this ie.'ow
from behind with his powerful grip. The
pistol and cutlass were both use less TO him
for the movement had been 50 sudden and
well-timed that. before he could raise an
alarm, he was jeiked over the low ATRIAL
into the sea, the cabin-doors We're open,
and up we pourel. with every advantage
opposition, holding the quarterback in pos
session.
IL WAS give anu LIKE IOI q llkAlNlc Dul
there were only four of the mutineers left
and we were the stronger party. The
second mate got his arm broken by a shot
from Bill, and got cut on the arm from
a cutlass thrown at my head by the Parsee,
But he and Paine were both shot dead
and Dark Bill, the chief desperado, crazy
with rum and rage, bleeding from two OF
three wounds, knock ed my chum serselese
with his last empty pistol, and jumped
overheard, with defiant oath on his lips
You may well suppose that we did not
stop TO pick him up. The last man fell on
his knees and his life was spared till we
arrived at Sydney, where he was tried and
hung.
Our voyage was broken up by this scape
for we were too short-hanied 70 venture
among the savages. But we rnade good
cruise for the short time we were absent
for we brought cur gold home safe. and
spent il without troubling ourselves much
about where il camo from.
If you are in trouble or quandary, tell
your wife-that is, if you have one--all