Morris tribune., 1883-02-21


power of sail and oars. The captain S
telescope was brought to bear, and it
was soon ascertained that she had at
least full crew. We backed the main
topsaii and hove to, waiting impatient
ly to know more, and making various
shrewd guesses and speculations as to
her history and character.
\ "a gang of runaways," said one, dog
matically.
''0h, that's nothing. Why, when Is
In the old Speedy"
They've lowered for whales, and got
lost from the ship" suggested another
speaker.
''Ay, that's more likely"
"The old man makes out eight men in
her" said one of the boat-stterers, COM
ing fromait.
Here was a new phase of the matter,
and our theories were blown in the four
winds, Nobody would lower in pursuit
OF whales with any more than six in the
boat and even deserters, reckless as
they are sometimes known TO be- would
hardly overload for long sea voyage.
"Castaways, of course" was the unani-
nous opinion. ship foundered or
burnt at sea, and some of her boats lost
with her"
But we were not kept longi suspense,
for the stran ers brought their frail raft
alongside AS rapidly as oars and canvas
could do it and leaped in on deck. In
few minutes we were in possession of
the whole story, 2 parody on the old
one of Bligh and Fletcher Christian.
The boat contained Captain Watson, his
mate and six others, from the bark
Newcastle of Sydney, who had been
sci adTitt the day before bvImutineers.
The second mate was at the he I'd of the
conspiracy, which had been most art
fully planned and carried into execu-
ton While he had charge Of the deck.
His two superiOrs had not even the
slightest suspicion of anything wrong
until they found themselves prisoners
- In their Stale-rOoms.
It was supposed that McGregor, the
new commander, intended to carry the
bark down among the Marshall islands
and there destroy her, taking up his
residence among the savages. There
were still twenty men or board; but
how many of them were actively engaged
in the plot, and how many were merely
cowed into submission to the new
authority, was more than the captain
could tetl.
and how far do you suppose your ship
to be from US now?" asked Captain Bent.
81 have steered west-northwest by
compass, as near as | could" said Cap
tain Watson, ''and have run, should
judge, about eighty miles. The Newcas-
tie, when l los. sight of her, WIS by the
wind on the northern track, under easy
sail. She ought to be nearly due east
from u.s."
'Come below and les us lay off your
course on a chart. | don't know as I
can DO anything for you, if should fall
in with your ship, but it might be some
satisfaction to see."
The two captains went into the cabin,
and soon the order was passed along to
make all sail on a wind. Nothing was
seen during the day, and at night we
lacked back again. And the first grey
light of the morning showed us the
bark-recognized at once by Captain
Watson and his mate as their own vessel
running down across our course.
"Of course he won't pass near US if he
can help it," said Watson.
mo, suppose he will avoid US; but I
am going to signalize at any rate. Haul
the mainsail up" said Captain Bent to
the officer on deck, land set the ensign
at the GAIT"
The orders were obeyed, and much to
Cur surprise the mutineers altered their
course little, with the evident inten-
ton of speaking us.
''What can it mean that he is SO ready
to speak to s.rangerW was the question
that passed from one to another of the
group.
"Now I think of it," said the mate of
the Newcastle, II think l know his OBJ
ject If he really means to wind up his
cruise in one of the Marshall Isanis he
will want to make trade for tobacco
and firearms"
you've hit it," rejoined the captain.
''That must be McGregor's object. There
isn't much tobacco On board, and but
little powder. He wants to buy more.
Captain Bent, let you and have anoth-
er talk by ourselves" he aided, seeming
to have conceived some new idea.
Their conference was short; but iudg-
ing from the expression of their faces
when they came on deck and took the
mates into their confidence, it seemed
to have been productive of something
of Importance. The bark's boat, in
which the wanderer had been picked
up, was placed overhead on the skids,
as ifshe had been one of our own, and a
Sail thrown over her. that she might rot
be recognized. The crew were instruct
ed to keep themselves out of sight while
the two vessels were in communication.
''What bark is that?" asked Captain
Bent, innocently, after he had given his
own name.
''The Newcastle, of Sydney"
"Who commands herr"
Watson" was the reply.
s'No just at present." muttered Wat
son himself, who was crouching in the
companion way, SO as to see and hear
without being seen. "But l hope he
may before night"
Zone of my men had his leg broken
yesterday" said our captain" and I
would like to get the services of your
surgeon"
Certainly. I'll come abroad and
bring the doctor with me. I wish to
see you to make some trade with you."
And with farewell wave of his trumpet,
as the vessel passed out of hearing. he
luffed to under our lee and lowered
his boat.
Now the doctor of the Newcastle was
at that moment in our own cabin. he
having been set adritt in the boat with
the captain; but MeGregor would, of
course, bring some one to personate the
character. This would take seven men
from the crew; and it was also certain
that ne would man his beat with his
choice spirits, for if he brought any
doubtful and lukewarm ones they
might prattle. We had eur instruc-