Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-03-31

serve him so, and If the cook, or Dan,
or the Swede make fuss (Which they
won't dare do) they'll see that the bal
ance of power is with US, for we've got
pistols and they haven't. Eth, Joe?''
Then w'atP'' asked Joe, with much
of eagerness. sr $50 g =
"Why, then,'' Mr.. Atkin goes on
with the ease that he would remark up
on the weather, I" well put the long
boat over the side, and politely invite
Captain Wray, Kiss Wray, Mr.. Waters
and the cook or one of the men to step
in. They can shape their course for
the Azores, only thirty miles away, Joe,
and we'll shape ours for Europe"
But will you?" thought within
myself, with my teeth clenched.
I'l take command, of course, !" thus
the bad man continued; 6 and when we
are near the land We'll rig up the life
boat here''-and he thumped it with his
hand" take some provisions, water
and the money
"One tousan' apiece" breaks in the
| sailor.
"Take the money!" MIR. Atkin went
on as if Joe had not interrupted; land
when we get ashore every man will
take his share, Joe-and scatter! !" he
said, with flourish of his fingers.
But the brig shall find harbor, too
they gives alarm and sends after US, :"
said Joe.
"Not after I have fixed the rudder
and taken away the compass, my good
Joe," said the smooth Mr.. Atkin SO
now you can let Jerry know what is ex-
pected of him, and tomorrow night"
He made no finish of his words,
though, and, rising, walked slow away.
All, how slowly passed the time! but
finally, Joe, with yawns, struck the
eight bells, and the wheel was relieved
by old Dan.
Surely I lost no time in coming from
my hiding-place. and sought the Captain,
who, without removing his clothing, had
reclined himself upon a lounge in the
cabin. I revealed to him in whispers
that which had heard.
"My brave little grill" he said, as
had made an end of my story; but
could not think what there was of brav-
cry in laying pertlu, and listening to
conspirators. Had not given him
counsel, though, I think he would have
been for dashing upon the three who
thus conspired, and shifting them hip
and thigh. But I told him to commun-
icate in secret with Mr.. Waters, and
they two together might make plans of
strategy which would avail without
bloodshed; and he did SO.
1t was unfortunate that the Captain
was entirely without firearms of any
kind. I think 1 myself would have
dared to use one in such an emergency.
But he whispered to me that he had that
which should serve the same end; and
with a beating heart l awaited the re-
suit.
The calm remained into the forenoon
of the next day. The sea was like oily
glass, without ripple as far as one
could view, and the sun made itself
hardly to be endured, so fierce did it
beat down upon the scorched deck, in
the seams of which the pitch fairly
melted. The sails hung without motion
against the mast, and the wheel was
idle.
With heart fast beating 1 followed
the Captain, who had told me to be
without fear, upon the deck.
81 wish we had a couple of the turtle
that are laying round SO plenty, asleep
on the water, this morning." said the
Captain, as if to myself, who stood by
him, though in careless way.
1 had no meaning of his words, but
Atkin, who was near, looked at the black
specks upon the water some distance
away, with interest.
Eyes, sir,'' he made reply, s'there's
always lots of them about the Azores in
calm weather-nice soup they make,
too"
"You might take the long boat, if you
like, Mr.. Atkin,'' said the Captain with
yawn, as if it had but then occurred to
him, sand with your watch take two or
three-it would be change from salt
beef
Every well, sir,' Atkin replies; for
this man was a lover of nice food-a
gou,naa,ad stHere, you Joe and Jerry,
get the boat over the side.''
l began to guess that there was pur-
pose in this. I saw that the Captain
had, under a mask of carelessness, a
face of anxiety, and that the hand that
held his glasses, with which he viewed
the horizon, trembled never SO little as
he paced backward and forward while
the two men were putting over the boat.
When all was ready, Mr.. Atkin in the
stern-sheets pushed off from the vessels
side.
Stop bit!" now called the Cap
tain, as 1 watched with strong anxiety
his face. There was stern ring in his
voice which had seldom heard. And
at the same time / saw Mr.. Waters, Dan
and the Swede come from the cooks
gallery with buckets of hot water which
they brought to the rail.
''WellP'' asked Atkin with inquiry.
And he motioned the two men to cease
from rowing.
"You see Teneriffe Peak, do your"
again spoke the captain.
"Why, yes, sir" was the answer of
Atkin sswhat thenP''
'Just this" said the captain; "my
advice to you, scoundrels, is that you |
pull your prettiest for the Azore Islands;
for while my name is Wray not one of |
you ever shall set foot again on this
briggs deck!"
All, then what oathsl what cries of |
rage! And SO desperate was this villain |
Akin that he drew pistol and COM
his men to pull back, which