The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-06

from Bombay. held me down, secured the
gag in my mouth, and dashed me hand
and foot; then they pushed me close
under the lee of the long boat, where
would not be seen. They flashed their
knives before my eyes as warning 10 he
iaquiet, and left me there. They would
have killed me. no. doubt. only for the
fear Of faislng an alarm before. they were
ready TO strike the blow at the mate and
captain. -. --u
But the fools had forgotten that I had
my sheath-knife ina belt round my waist.
Luckily for me. too, 81 was alittleloose in it's
sheath But twas necessary TO workvery
carefully, or they would notice my move
r'ems. / hay still till saw Bill Shutdown
nc topsail sheets forward of the mast.
His shirt was heavily filled 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 il was time for me 10
begin operations. BY carefully lifting
and writhing my body a. few times, con-
trived TO drop my knife gently out of its
sheath on the deck. Then working my
self feet foremost, little by little till my
head was near it, l managed, after
some difficulty, TO cut the flashing of the
gag The knife was very sharp, but this
was the worst operation Of oil, and | did
not succeed until had cut my cheek quite
severely. But it was not time TO think of
that then
Cleared of the gag, got the knife in my
teeth, and soon severed the Selling that
bound my wrists. The rest was easy. l
still lay quiet after my limbs were free.
even put the gag in again, so that when
the Parsee ran round TO leeward and peered
in at me, he thought l was all secure as
had been left.
Two more men of the other watch came
up out of the forcastle Tor fore-cabin) TO
join the mutineers; and then they closed
the side of the scuttle and fastened it Sc
curely, leaving four imprisoned below.
The whole party, seven in number, now
began TO move aft-that is, towards the
stern-cabn, where the officers were. They
collected their force in range of the long
boat, ready for rush Bill turned TO the
others
Where's Shorty ?" he demanded.
"All SAFE" whispered Paine, pointing
towards me.
The leader leaned over and glanced at
me- as lay motionless, with the gag
still in my mouth.
"All right" said he "we1l 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 l was,
rose TO my feet, and darted aft on the lee
side. One of the after-hatches WAS left off,
as well knew. dropped lightly down
upon the water-casks, and crept out of
sight
Ii seemed TO me at that moment that tho
power of all my senses was centred in my
ears. But, instead of q struggle or fall,
as l had expected, heard only a loud slam
of the doors leading into the cabin; and
then angry dispute between Bill and one
of his own gang, Abraham Hicks. eau
tiously leaned forward into the hatchway,
and heard enough 10 satisfy ne as TO the
cause Of the quarrel.
1t would seem that just as the mutineers
reached the break Of the quarterback,
where il was necessary TO ascend two steps,
the mate, unconscious of danger, stepped
into the cabin-door, which opened aft near
the helmsman. But, instead of falling
back, and waiting quietly till he should
come out again, Hicks, who was in adj
vance, dashed on, despite the whispered
! remonstTance of Bill and Barney, and
slammed the doors Then seizing a marlin
spike, he drove it securely into the staple,
thus imprisoning all the officers below
The alarm was thus given, and nothing
accomplished.
The rage of bill was fearful at having
( his plan bungled in this manner He had
intended to kill the mate, if possible with
our noise and after that it would be easy
to mango tho second mate and captain,
taken by surprise in their berths The
quarrel grew dercer and louder-I heard
blow-Rnother-then pstol-shot, and
a heavy fall.
No one seemed TO take any trouble
about the fallen man. He must have been
shot dead, thought, for heard no groan
or movement, such as a wounded man
would make Bill ordered the Parsee to
go forward and stand guard over the fore
scuttle, and the steward TO remain at the
cabin.doors.
Here, Paine" said he "come with me.
Bring the lantern from the nd-house'
They were coming into the after-hold
had only time 10 crawl up into the
"wing," and crouch down into the narrow
space behind the water-casks, when the
two jumped down with a light and
bucket. They did not come towards me,
but went in on the opposite side, where
there was barrel of liquor standing on
its head
Give me the top-maul, said Bill
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