The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-06-17
MUTINY AT SEA.

things, you may set it down that q mu'
tiny at sea can be classified first. 1t Is IN
most cases the turning Of the worm. Men
who have had it drilled into them 1or
years that they must put up with such
food as hogs would refuse, obey every Or
der without question, peril their lives at
the word, cringe and tremble before one
of their own species because he is IN au-
thority. are not to be driven into mutlny on
the high seas without extreme proVoca-
tion :,
When the worm turns then look outl
Your cringing foremast hand, who only
the day before thanked the mate for
knocking him down, may be tyran1 LII
turn. ...... ....
The ship becomes floating hell. The
slaves of yesterday are the masters to-day.
If once they take the step which render
them mutineers, they will not hesitate to
go farther and add murder to the crime.
In the year 1866, after having served on
coasting vessels for several years, and
made one voyage from New York to Llv-
erpool, shipped as second mate on the
bark Me6way, bound from San Francisco
to the Sandwich islands, and thence on
trading voyage to the islands of the south
west. The bark was small one, but
good sailer and dry ship, and l believe 1
wash luck in securing my berth. The
captain, whose name was Burrows, seemed
q very pleasant man, making use OF no
profaue Language, and appearing to be as
mild.tempered as parson. Mind you,
am giving my first impressions as sized
him up while we yet lay at the wharf.
I shipped at Honolulu, the bark having al
ready completed the first part of her yoy-
age: heard rumors to the effect that her
whole crew deserted her on her arrival
at the islands, but rumorS among sailors
are not to be depended on, and gave the
matter no investigation, though I saw that
she was shipping u fresh crew. we lett
Honolulu with twelve men before the
mast, and we were not yet OH
soundings when the trouble began.
The meat which had been boiling away
in the cooks coppers during the fore
noon gave out STANCE odors. From the
whiffs had caught now and then knew
something was wrong, and when the meat
was carried forward in the kids at noon
the stencil was enough to turn ones
stomach. The mate, whose name was
Berry, saw that was surprised such
meat should be placed before the men on
voyage just begun, and he growled:
"Ah! d 'em; it's too good for such as
they. Just let me catch 'em making
fuss over it, and I'll work up their old iron
in way to open their eyes,"
was astounded. Mr.. Berry had seemed
a quiet, even-tempered man, and had
said to myself that there would be no
bullying aboard of the Midway. The
watches had not yet bean set, but the
bark was on her course before light
breeze, and things were being made ship
shape The captain was already at din
ner, and soon after uttering the remarks
quoted above the mate went down to join
him. was thus left in charge Of the deck,
but the crew, with the exception of the
man at the wheel, were forward with their
kids. AS the beef made its appearance
there was movement Of surprise, and
heard several Of them utter expressions of
disgust. The meat was picked up and
closely examined, and then all faces were
turned in my direction. Then, after
brief consultation, IN old sailor whose
every look and action proved the genuine
tar, picked up the meat tub and came aft
WlCU IlS WIS SO1uS5 w HRetAC q SSaAA
plaint, which he had perfect right to do,
and l, rs officer of the deck, had no right
to refuse to listen. He put down the tub,
doffed his hat, and very respectfully said:
"Mr. Carling, the meat isn't hardly tit
to bait q shark. 1t is probably the fault
of the cook. VIII you kindly forward our
complaint to the captains"
At that moment Captain Burrows ap-
peared on deck Taking in the situation
at glance, he walked straight up to the
sailor and thundered:
"What in hell's name does this mean,
you dog?" Finding fault with your pro
visions before the first meal is begun! Get
forward, you internal whelp!" ..
The man retreated withouta word in
reply, but left the tub behind him. Pm
telling you the solemn truth when say
that the odor of it was enough to turn my
stomach seven or'eight feet away.
sIt's just like 'em, the hounds" roared
the captain "It's the beef they find fault
With, eh? Here, every mothers son, come
aft"
The men slowly obeyed, knowing that
storm was at hand. The captain picked
up the tub, held it out toward them, and
Sltlu, ID lueIe duy LL1uS N1oA6 WILL lAo
meat? Who says this isn't as sweet beef
as was ever placed before sailors? Who
Is the MANI"
For u minute not one of them answered
him. Then the man who mad brought the
tub aft stepped out, made respectful .sa
lutte, and replied, Captain Burrows, we
didn't find fault with you, but with the
cook. The meat is SO far gone that no
man aboard can eat it."
"Oh, it's bad, is it?" sneered the captain,
as he placed the tub in my hands. "No
one can eat it, eh? Let's see about that"
With his naked fingers he lifted up u
piece and bit off mouthful and swal-
lowed it. At that moment the mate ap-
peared on deck, and the captain called:
"Alr. Berry, the men declare this meat is
unfit to eat. Come and taste it, and give
me your opinion"
The mate came forward and tasted it. I
saw him vince as he chewed at the stuff,
but ne bravely swallowed it down, and eX-
claimed: 1.-The best beef ever saw
aboard ship!'
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