The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-10
The Story of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
Q Mutiny at Sea.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.
CHAPTER vIL-CoSrrNUEn

in transparent volumes over her sides
and foamed around the deck-house.
Once, when her stern rose. | read the
name. Cecilia, in broad, white letters.
was gazing at her intently in the
effort TO witness some indication of liv-
inc thing on board, when. to my min
gled CONSERVATION and horror, | wit
messed an arm projecting through the
window of the deck-house. and franti-
scallv wave what resembled a white
handkerchief. As none of the men
called ont. judged this signal was not
perceptible to the naked eye, and in my
excitement | shouted:
There's a living man on board of
her. my ladsr' dropped the glass and
ran aft to call the captain.
| met him coming up the companion
ladder. The first thing he said was:
You're ont of Your course and
looked up at The sails.
There's a wreck yonder." / cried.
pointing eagerly, with man On board
,signaiing to u.s.
''Get lie the glass" he said, sulkily.
and I picked it up and handed it to
him.
He looked at the wreck for some mo-
ments. and. addressing the man at the
wheel. exclaimed, making movement
with his hand.
Keep her away! Where are you
steering to?'
Good Heaven" 1 calculated :;
there's man on board-there may
be Others"
Hold your tonguer' he exclaimed.
between his teeth: what do you mean
by interfering with ME? Keep her
away" he roared out.
During this time we had drawn suffi-
.ciently near to the wreck to enable the
sharper-sighted among the hands to re-
mark the signal, and they were calling
out that there was somebody fSing 4
handkerchief aboard the hull.
Captain CoNon." said |. with Is
firm voice as could command-for
was nearly in as great Il rage rs he.
and rendered insensible to all conSe-
-quences by his inhumaaity-''if you
bear away and leave that man Wonder
10 sink with that wreck when he can
be saved with very little trouble, you
viii become as much murderer rs any
Uuffian who stabs a man asleep.
When | had said this CoNon turned
black in the face with passion. His
ewes protruded, his hands and fingers
worked as though ne We're under some
electrical process. and l saw for the
first time in my life sight l had al
WAYS laughed at as bit of impossible
novelist description-a mouth foaming
with rage. he rushed aft. just over
Duckling' 5 cabin, and stamped with al
his might.
Now thought l. '.they may try
to murder mer' And. without a word.
/ pulled off my coat, seized Delaying
pin. and stood ready, resolved that
happen what might. [ would give the
first man who should lay his fingers on
me something to remember ae by
while he had breath in his body.
The men. not quite understanding
what WAS happening. but seeing that a
row was taking place. came to the
forecas:le and advanced by degrees
along the main-deck. Among them |
noticed the cook. muttering 10 one or
the other who stood near.
Ny Duckling. awakened by the yio-
lent Gathering over his head. came run
ming up tie companion way with be-
willered. sleepy look in his face. The
captain -rasped HIM by the arm, and.
pointing TO me, cried ont, with an oath.
THAT villain was breeding q mutiny on
board. and. he believed wanted 20
murder him and backing
al once answered: Nothing OF
the kind, There is man miserably
perishing on board that sinking wreck,
Mr.. Duckling. and he ought to be
saved. My lads.'' | cried, address
ing the men on the main-deck, lis
there a sailor among You eli who
would have the heart to leave that
man wonder without an effort to rescue
Eim?'
mo. SIR shouted one of them.
well save the man and if the skipper
refuses. We'll make him.
..Luffr' | called to the man at the
wheel
..Luff at your peril.'' screamed the
skipper.
Aft here. some hands" l cried.
~.and.ay the main-yard aback. Let go
the port main-braees.'
The captain came running toward
me.
Captain Coxon." l cried in fury,
.Crasping the heavy brass belayin--pin.
IL You come within foot of he III
dash YOUR brains OUT
Ny attitude. nv enraged face and
menacing gesture produced the de-
sired effect He stopped dead. turned
a ghastly white. and looked round at
DucklinE 2.
What do you mean BY this (etc.)
conduct. You (ete.) mutinous scoun-
drel?" roared Duckling. with 4 volley
of foul language.
"Give him one for himself. if he
says too much. Mr.. Royler' sing out
some hoarse voice on the main deck:
well back yerr' And then came
cries of They're cursed pair o MUIR
derers,' WHO run the smack
DOWN." WHO lets men DROWN
s'Who starves honest men?" This last
exclamation wasfollowed by 4 roar
The whole of the crew were now on
deck. having been aroused by our
voices. Some of them were looking on
with a grin. others with an expression
of fierce curiosity. 1t was ut once IN
derstood that l was making stand
against the captain and chief mate.
and a single glance at them assured ne
that by oae word could set the whole
of them on fire to do my bidding even
to shedding blood.
In the meantime the man 1T the
wheel had lufTed until the ship was
scarcely moving. l kept my eyes on
the captain and mate fully prepared
for any movement thew might make
against me. They evidently saw that
the men were all in sympathy with
me. They walked over TO the
lee side of the poop and held con-
suitation. Then the captain went be-