The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-06-02
where we would be paid off and the ship

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up. Somehow he lost his balance and
went overheard. The ship was hove to
and we started to lower boat, but the
mate was seen to throwup hishands and
sink out of sight. Captain Phillips came
on deck with Scotty by him and sent for
the second mate, who told how that
there was NJ. chance of saving the mate.
The captain asked the second mate If he
understood navigation. The second mate
said he could brace up the yards and
such as that, but he didn't understand
navigation.
"'Thcn,' said the captain, I'll put
back to Callao for new mate
"Scotty turned to the captain and
said: why not make rne mate
"The captain looked mad and said to
Scotty:
"'Why, you don't understand naviga-
tion.'
"Scotty looked madder then than the
captain for a minute. Then he came
alongside Captain Phillips and began
whispering in his ear. Scotty talked
mighty earnest and seemed to be beg
ging hard for something-I suppose it
was to be made mate, but the captain
did nothing, only shake his head and look
sulky. All this time the ship was lying
to. Finally l saw Scotty looking mighty
ugly out of the corners of his eyes. He
was pale, too, but he went up to the
captain and seemed to beg him once
more, but the skipper again shook his
head and said loud enough for me TO
hear, we must put back to Callao.'
Then he went up to Scotty and stood by
him. I knew he expected Scotty to
mutter to him what orders he was to
give to put the ship about and head her
back to Callao. I thought at first
Scotty was going to rebel, but he began
muttering as usual, and the captain gave
out the orders with as big airs as if he
owned US all. In minute or two we
we're sailing close to the wind on the
port tack. AS the trade winds were
now against US we had to beat back to
Callao. Four bells struck, and I was
sent to the wheel. An hour later the
captain and Scotty came on deck and
the ship was put about on the starboard
tack. This time Scotty's teeth seemed
to be clenchcd, and he looked mighty
ugly. l heard the captain say in low
tone to Scotty as they walked up and
down, You know that I've only got to
tell the English consul and you're as
good as hung Then Scotty said:
You know very we'll I only
struckhim in self-defcnce. If I'd
told the captain at the time it
would have been all right. I've a good
mind to tell the consul myself Then
they got out of my hearing. But I saw
how it was then that the captain had his
held on Scotty. Scotty had killed
man in self-defence, he claimed, but the
captain knew of it, and was holding it
over him.
cat 4 o'clock left the wheel and my
watch went below. At 6 o'clock we
came on deck. We had not gone about
again, but 1 supposed that we would very
soon. The captain and Scotty were
standing in front of the cabin door.
Scotty was pa.e as ghost. Says he to
the second mate: The captain says send
all the men aft The captain looked
surprised at this. The men all came
aft. Then Scotty cried out: Captain
Phillips, will you make me mater This
is the last time I will ask youn Scotty
said this in such way that the captain
looked frightened. He suffered for o
minute, but ne SAW wicked look spread
ing over Scotty's face, and he said. Yes,
Scotty, appoint you mate Scotty took
two bounds that took him up on the after
house. He had grown straight all of
sudden. He held up his head, and there
was fire in his eyes. For the first time
in his life he really looked we'll. Helm
to leen he cried; we must put aboutr
Then he gave out his orders as rapidly
and as clearly rs if he had commanded
ships for years.
"The ship swung around on the port
tack, but rs she did so my hair must
have lifted my hat up about two inches,
for right close on our port quarter lay
line of breakers which dashed over
ledge of wicked looking reefs. Ihad no
doubt that Scotty had intended to run
the ship on those reefs if the captain had
refused the last time to make him
mate. Captain Phillips was leaning
against the bulwackS and looking
at the breakers. He seemed to be regu-
larly stunned. Scotty after tacking wore
the ship slowly around until she headed
about northwest before the southeast
trades. During the rest of the run to
San Francisco Scotty was not only mate
bat commander of the ship as well. Cap
tain Phillips did nothing but NOPE. lie
gave no orders himself, but left every
thing to Scotty, who seemed to be first
rate navigator, and he was mighty proud
to show it.
"The day after we arrived at San
Francisco we were paid off. I stumbled
across an old shipmate of mine called
Liverpool Jim. We were standing To-
gether when who should we see going
along the sidewalk but Captain Phillips
and Scotty. Jim started back at sight
of them.
"'Why, am acquainted with those fel-
lows, says he. They are
"says l, They are the captain and
mate I've been sailing under
"Says he, (Which is the captain7'
81 pointed out Captain Phillips, and
he laughed.
"'Why.' said he, that's old Bill
Jones, steward sailed with on ar Eng.
lish bark four years ago. He put on so
many airs that folks took him for cap
tain when he was on shore, but he never
had as much brains as I've got, and
that's saying mighty little But the
young fellow with Bill Jones has got
brains. He was an apprentice boy on
the same bark, and was mighty smart at
navigation. They said he'd make first