The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-10-23
Mr.. Bolter came to nv berth when his

10 remain above than on level with the
tamlshed Engllshmen. Before daybreal
they were quiet enough, and no particr
lar one could be sifted out for creating
the disturbance, so the whole eighty.
seven went scot free.
About Z O'cock they were led ND on
deck Tor an airing and to pass inspec.
uoh. After remaining three hours they
were sent below again. In the afternoon
ABOUT three O'Clock a gale sprang up,
which required all hands to reef topsails.
! he yards We're soon manned, and | went
I aloit myself, as is generally the custom
/ when all hands are called. While ! was
passing the weather earring and taking
the last turn, | heard Shaling tone of the
toremast hands, who was knotting a reef
point next to me, ask: "Where is Bar
her? don't see him on the yard p"
. looked over the line of men, and sure
/ enough lie was not there | tell you |
wasn't long In getting on deck and stat
ing my suspicious to the captain. We
at once rushed forward, followed by sew
eral OF the guard, and just as we reached
the torecastle who should make his APP
pearance but Barker.
The Old man yelled at him: "What
are You doing down there? Speak up.
what are you Sinking below for when
all hands were called for dutv?"
:" was sick, growled the scoundrel,
land could not go aloft.
You are lying, YOU villain. and Won
know it, said the skipper. I'm be
bound you are up to some deviltry.
Mr.. Steerway, just keep your eve on him
till | come back"
GAY, ny, sir responded
BY this time all hands had come down
from alOft.
The captain soon returned and stated
that he could find nothing out of the
way, but | was convinced III my own
mind that something was out Of the way.
SO the old man gave me leave to go be
low myself. | could find nothing, but
ut the same time was far from being sat
lstied. | asked why was Barker, Of all
others, down below? We told the crew
Of our suspicious, and ordered them TO
keep lookout on Barker's movements.
As the night came on the guard was
relieved and cautioned by the sergeant
to be on the alert. 1t seemed kind of
queer to me that the cOnvicts remained
SO quiet. for beyond a low conversation
their voices We're scarcely audible, but
thought afterward that probably they
intended to get a good nights rest, and
preferred TO keep quiet
| lay awake some time after turning
in; my eyes finally grew heavy and |
was soon in the land OF dreams-awav
off in Boston. My mother came mp 10
my room / was still in my dreams) to
tuck in my bed-clothes. | felt her
gentle touch on the blankets; but why
did she place her hand over my mouth I?
| opened my eyes to see the reason.
The differing blade of sheath-knife
was held before them | knew the reason
then pretty quick, assure you, for Bar
ker held it.
"Now, Steeraway, says he, you
just keep quiet and You won't be hurt.
Open your mouth and you won't know
what hurt you.
| knew that any movement on my part
would be my death warrant.
VIII YOU keep quiet if [ take my
hand from your mouth ?"
[ nodded my head in the affirmative
and his hand was removed. "Now,
Steeraway, he says, 4 am going to tie
You and put a little stopper in your
mouth. | won't hurt you, for | know
how to do these things
He evidently did, tor | was very soon
bound hand and foot, a gag was placed
III my mouth, and your humble servant
was rendered AS useless az a dead man.
The convict then left me and disap-
pedrod | had not been alone more than
ten minutes when | heard a voice near
the erth-head say, "All right.
La a moment more hight draught of
air entered my state-room, and it smelt
strongly Of pent-up air-a sort Of con-
Wet odOr, SO to speak.
The bulkhead had been removed. and
the cabin was soon crowded with prison
ers. Not a sound did they make, for
their irons were off, and the thought
flashed quickly upon me, our ship is in
their hands, and may the Lord have
mercy on our crew.
Silently they went up the cabin stairs:
then | heard a quick rushing sound,
shouts, yells, curses, then few shots in
quick succession; several splashes near
my cabin headlight; more shouts and
yells.
Clown with them! Now or never,
No Van Dieman's for us, Down with
them"
In vain | heard several voices pleading
for mercy. But those men knew no
mercy. Finally the shouts and yells
ceased, then the quick, hurried tramp of
feet overhead. Presently a step de
sends the stairs, the rope binding me
was cut, the gag torn from my mouth,
and grutf voice said: Come, Steer
away, You are wanted on deck. Lively,
now,
[ came TO the conclusion that it was
useless to deliberate, and | obeved the
order at once. 1t was not necessary for
me to ask what the matter was. | knew
that well enough at a glance
Barker that scoundrel Barker-was
an escaped convict, and had shipped on
board the Marathon for the purpose Of
aiding his friends, and from the appear
anco Of things, he had succeeded beyond
his utmost expectations. As [ emerged
from the cabin ] was greeted with
Here he is, by several of the striped
jacket gentry. Now. Steerawav, we
want you to mind and do just as we tell
you-or whatJoe Gosshawk, the captain.
tells you-and You won't be hurt; but ii
You don't, why overheard you go. We
know you can navigate: now which is it.
sharks dinner, or obey orders 2"
OF course ! didn't want to ease the
appetite Of the iet-fnned wolves that
were swimming around the ship. so |
told them | would do all they wished;
but [ wanted to know what had become
of the captain and crew.