Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-08-17

peeped out and said to me:
"When you are some day angry with
me, will you maybe throw me into the
sea ?"
1 could not bear it. sob, Maggie,
my child, my darling p cried, taking
her in my arms; "don't talk and look
like that. The cat was bad cat. and
brought us ill-luck and bad weather"
L thought, said Maggie simply, cit
was God made the weather." I was
silent. After a pause she cried: "I
want my pussy back, father. Get me it
back. 1t was not bad, and like it.
Il wish, my DEAR" [ said, CT could
bring you it back"
Was it meaw [ heard, and a scratch
ing, or was it only the wind above, and
the dash of the water at the portfolio.
Maggie had heard it too; she sat up, and
her eyes were fixed on the portfolio.
With some difficulty [ pulled it open,
and in scrambled The cat 81.
was never more delighted by the
sight OF any living thing that I was by
the return Of that poor, half-drowned
cat. Such weight of guilt was lifted
OFT me | felt almost like little boy
again, there with my little girl beside
me. The TODD Maggie and made over
the poor, outraged creature I confess to
you truly the tears came to my eyes.
Maggie kissed it and cuddled it, all wet
and snivering as it was, the brave little
some hot mess for it to eat, and pre-
pared snug little bed before the cabin
stove, and poor grateful pussy licked my
hand.
"Captain y Iheard eagerly whispered
from the top of the cabin steps.
should have been on deck, and [ was
turning to go-aftel a glance at Maggie,
with shawl about her sitting down by
her recovered pussy-when the cook
stumbled hurriedly down into the cabin,
whispering in terror: "They've got at
the spirits, captain, and they're mad
They've knocked Dick down for stand
ing up for you, and they're sure, as you
threw the cat overheard, the only way
to save the ship is to throw you after
it They're coming p
And before another word could be
said. OF anything done, they had come,
l supposethey at once suspected the cook
of being an informer; in moment he
was gagged and bound [ stood before
them with what calmness I had; though
[ felt my cheek pale and my blood tin
gle to see all the desperate crew crowded
in before me. They were not drunk;
they were only primed to the Dutch
courage point; their faces were blood
shot and resOlute.
"What is the meaning of this, my
men ?" I asked firmly. "Mutinv %
At the dreaded word they quailed lit
tie; but Bill Bowser-he who had told
Maggie had drowned the cat, and who
seemed the ingleader-made step for
ward and said Che was an ugly slab of a
man, with something like a squint, but
he could speak to the point:)
"No mutiny, captain, only self-pre-
servation, the first law O nature. That
da1ned cat has been thrown overheard,
and to save the ship and all the rest on
us you must follow it captain, cause you
done it.
| was about to speak when Maggie,
who looked very much surprised, but
not in the least frightened, said (stand-
ing up in her sweet childish beauty, with
the shawl slipping from her shoulders)
Look, pussy was in the sea, but she's
come back again." and she showed them
the cat in her arms.
They were dumbfoundered, and smit-
ten with confusion. They stared at me,
and at Maggie and the cat, and they
shouldered toward the stair. Bill Bow
ser again made himself spokesman.
81 am blest," said he, "but that cat
has the devil in her, as sure as David.
But look a-here, captain, we must jest
set her adrift again, and tie her in this
time"
"Now," said I, 81 won't allow hair
of that cat to be touched again. And [
advise all of you men to clear out of this
at once, or I shall take note of it and
reckon il an attempt at mutiny." I
spoke in a loud commanding tone, to
rouse Jack, who was in his berth close
by.
ooh, you will, will you ?" said Bow
ser, now snarling out the rebellious
spirit natural to him, and suggestively
lowering his head and drawing up his
sleeve from his right wrist; felt sure he
had his knife handy. eff it's to be
reckoned mutiny, it may as well be made
worth the reckoning. Down with him,
mates -
I caught the CLEAN of the knife; I had
no weapon; I threw my cap In his face,
and next instant hoored him with my
fist. At this juncture, as if in answer to
little Maggie's cry, out burst Jack, half
dressed, revolver in hand.
"Halloa Eli? What's this ?" he
cried.
I took the revolver from his hand and
pointed it among the men, who looked
some sulky, some bewildered, but none
inclined to follow Bowser's initiative.
"Now," said I, 81 give you another
chance. Be off at once to the fo'C'sle, or
- 1 clicked the trigger of the revolver.
cay, ay, captain" they murmurea,
and tumbled up the deck as fast as they
could. "We didn' tmean no harm, sir, !"
pleaded those who were nearest me, and
who were forced to linger.
No, the lubbers! No harm But if
Bill Bowser had struck me down with
his knife, they would not have moved
finger or tongue to save me, or to keep
themselves from the crimes of mutiny