Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-10-20

months before, and, as he wished TO re-
turn home, he thought be would ship on
the Marathon.
The consul verified tie mans state
ment, which satisfied the skipper, so he
had shipped him on the strength of this.
[ said nothing more to the old man but
determined to keep weather eye on that
man. s movements. We were to put out
to sea that night If the wind was favora-
BILE. The eighty-seyen men were placed
between decks to remain there until
morning, when they would be taken out
for an airing. The guard consisted of
twenty -four men, half the number stand
ing watch, while the others turned i'm be-
low
It was IL o'clock before the wind was
in our favor. and nearly eight bells when
sleep much in my watch below; the
shouts and curses of the convicts made
perfect Bedlam and would have aroused
the seven sleepers. In vain the guard
threatened them, but they only answered
derisively and dared the soldierst to shoot
Mr.. Bolter came to my berth when his
watch was out, and said he expected to
find me awake, for no one could sleep
with those wretches bowling. So i light
ed my pipe and went on deck, preterring
to remain above than on level with the
furnished Englishmen. Before daybreak
they were quiet enough, and no particu-
lar one could be sifted out for creating
the disturbance, SO the whole eighty
seven went scot free.
About o'cock they were led up on
deck for an airing and to pass inspec-
ton. After remaining three hours they
were sent below again. In the afternoon
about three o'clock O gale sprang up,
which required all hands to reef topsails.
The yards were soon manned, and [ went
aloft myself, as is generally the custom
when all hands are called. While I was
passing the weather earring and taking
the last turn, heard Shaling Zone of the
foremost hands, who was knotting reef
point next to me,) ask: "Where is Bar
ker? don't see him on the yard. ;"
[ looked over the line of men, and sure
enough he was not there. I 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 forecastle who should make his ap-
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 duty?'
81 was sick, !" growled the scoundrel,
''and could not go aloft. y
''You are lying, you villain, and you
know it, said the skipper. 'I'n be
1or1 70 il
Mr.. Steerwav, just keep your eye on him
till come back"
cay, ay, sir!'' L 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 i'll nv 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
at the same time was far from being sat
isfed. | asked why was Barker, of all
others, down below? We told the crew
of our suspicious, and ordered them to
keep a lookout on Bankers 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 renamed
SO quiet, for beyond low conversation
their voices were scarcely audible, but /
intended to get a good nights rest, and
preferred to keep quiet.
| lay awake some time after turning
III; my eyes finally grew heavy and I
was soon in the land OF oreams-away
off in Boston. My mother came up to
my room / was still in my dreams) to
tuck III my bed-clothes. | felt her
gentle touch on the blankets: but why
did she place her hand over my mouth
/ opened my eyes to see the reason.
The ghttering blade of sheatll-knife
wss held before them. / knew the reason
then pretty quick, / assure you, for Bar
ker held it.
"Now, Steeraway,'' says he, ''you
Just Eeep 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 nay death warrant
"Wil1 you keep Quiet if I take my
hand from your mouth -
I nodded my head in the affirmative
he says, IT ann going to tie
you and put little stopper In your
mouth. I won't hurt you, for I know
how to do these things
He evidently did,, for [ was very soon
bound hand and foot. a gag was placed
in my mouth, and your humble servant
was rendered as useless as dead man.
The. convict then left me and disap-
peared. L had not been alone more than
ten minutes when / heard a voice near
the berth-head say, '"All right. y
In moment more light 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 L heard a quick rushing sound,