The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1875-11-04

4, l875.s
awoke, the ship was rolling heavily, and
there was continuous, ominous sound,
thud, thud, thud, accompanied with the
pouring of water, which caused me to
hurry on deck, where a scene of terri
BILE confusion met my eyes, for it was
broad daylight. A mast had gone, the
deck was Uttered with cordage and
broken woodwork. All was confusion,
authority in allegiance; convicts, sailors,
marines were mixed up together, hur-
rying to and fro, or working at the
pumps. The gale had abated, was dy-
ing out in fact, but there was leak
which could not be discovered, though,
in consequence of the number of hands
to relieve one another in pumping, the
water did not gain upon us. Finding
was not wanted there, / went below
again to attend upon Phipps, who had
been left knew not how long, and was
too weak to help himself much. The
fever had left him, but he was low and
desponding, and asked me to read the
Bible to him, which did.
After time I heard MacNab come
down, and went into the saloon out of
which our private cabins opened to
speak to him. / found him loading his
pistols. 5ih T
ssThe leak has been found and
stopped, = he said, "but dinna like the
look of the convicts; some Of them haze
got arms, fear me-" @ aa'isss Z
While he was speaking shouts and
shots were heard above, and he rushed
to the cabin stairs, following him.
Directly we reached the deck we saw q
body OF convicts coming aft headed by
Williams, who had musket in his
hands.
i "The game is up, lieutenant, " he
cried; " you had better surrender"
| MacNab's answer was pistol shot /;
Williams staggered but recovered HIM
self, levened his musket, fired, and
MacNab fell dead in my arms. In a
moment was knocked down, bound,
and thrust aside to be a helpless specta-
tor Of crimes could not move a finger
to prevent. Some of the erufians rushed
down the cabin stairs and returned
dragging poor Phipps with them. With
brutal jests they bore him to the lee bull
warks, one took his shoulders, another
his feet, and they tossed him alive into
the sea All the sailors or marines who
iwere sick, or had been wounded in the
struggle, were in like manner thrown
overheard; the remainder were gather
ed together in a body, and Williams,
who had evidently been elected chief,
| made them a speech, Offering them their
!. lives if they would join them heartily
I Most of them shrank from the horrible
death before them, and acceded, but 3
; corporal of marines stood firm.
i HYou will all be taken and hanged
within month";" he boldly said, ssand
1 had sooner drown with honest mer
than swing with thieves and mur
i derers.' 4.
The words were hardly out Of hi
mouth when he was shot dead.
i "And now, lads, cried Williams, g
!; know what you are all thinking of-the
rum!" (Cheers.) "Well, every mar
{ shall have tot, and few at tim,
shall have a skinful. But most of VI
must keep sober to manage the ship, 81
I have set a guard over the spirit-room
and any man who tries to force it will
have his brains blown out. I will tel
! you what propose to do, if you agree
There are some islands near where W,
, are with the, best climate, the fines
+ fruit, and plenty of food without work
, ing for, it.. We will make for one o
these, land every thing out of this rottel
old ship, and then scuttle. her. Yol
, have made me your Captain, and l ap
: lpoint Lloyd my chief officer. He is ;
sailor and knows where these island
) are, and how to reach them, SO he viii
. sail the ship.'' fs s8 q
Il Loud, acclamations greeted this ad
dress, and the assembly adjourned +
the ,grog tubs. 10. I'll s. 4
i Twas not long left unmolested; q kno
Il of fellows gathered around me, and dis
| | cussed what they should do with me
J and one at last suggested that / shout
} be made to swallow the contents OF m.
r medicine chest, which was forthwith
> brought up for the purpose, and som
calomel pills we're actually forced int
! | my mouth. How I wished that I hal
} been homeopath! - ,.s..e,
: WMHe was stIu9gAnBs HAL Cain
-fup. ~ ssl asssss sss I
e1 ssWhat are you doing with. the doc
/ torP'' he asked excitedly; "Didnt th
: captain say he wasn't to be touched
: He wants to see you, sir, down in th
cabin" he added civilly to me. IN
( prosecutors skunk of, grumbling, an
7 my deliverer cut my bonds and led m
Ito Williams, who had been shot in tn
\ shoulder and wanted his wound attend