The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-17


; after giving the matter . half-hour'.
D thought l concluded that q mutiny
, would sui. my purpose better than &c
have the captain remain in charrc,
because it would relieve me from the
, disgraceful position in which I was
: placed by the malice of my two su.
, perors.
, A little after one o'clock fell into 3
doze. but was shortly after awakened
BY hearing the growl Of voices close
against my cabin. my apprehensions
making my hearing very sensitive even
in sleep.
, In a few moments the voices of the
: men where silenced. and then heard
the tread of footsteps in the cuddy
going aft. and some one as he passed
tried the handle of my door.
: Another long interval of silence fol-
; lowed; and as did not hear the men
who had entered the cuddy return,
wondered where they had stationed
) themselves, and what they were doing.
As to myself, the irons on my legs
made me quite helpless.
The time that now passed seemed an
eternity, and was beginning to won
der whether the voices l had heard
might not have been Coxon's and the
stewart 's-all was so quiet-when q
step sounded overhead, and the cap
tain's voice rung out: Lay aft, some
hands. and brazil up the spanker!'
Instantly several men ran up the
starboard poop-ladder. proving that
they must have been stationed close
against my cabin. and their heavy feet
clattered along the deck, and l heard
their voices singing. Scarcely were
their voices hushed when shrill
whistle. like sharp human squeal,
was raised forward. and Immediately
there was a sharp twirl and shuttle of
feet on the deck, followed by groan
and fall. At the same moment 4
door was forced open in the cuddy.
and, as l might judge by what fol-
lowed. body of men tumbled into the
chief-mate cabin. A growing and
yelping of fierce human voices fol-
lowed. ''Haul him out Of 1t by the
hair!' ''You blackguard, you'll
show fight. will yer! Take that for
yourselfr' ''Over the eyes next time,
Bill! Let me get at the
But. As imagined, the muscular, in
furiated chief mate would not fall an
easy prev. fighting as he deemed for
mis- life. l heard the thump of bodies
swung against the paneling. fierce ex-
ecrations. the smash of crockerv and
the heavy breathing of men engaged in
deadly conflict.
| 1t was trief enough in reality, though
Duckling seemed to find them work for
a good while.
Don't kill him now! Wait till dere's
! plenty oh light howled a voice. which
knew to be the cooks And then
they came along the cuddy. dragging
| the body. which they had either killed
or knocked insensible. after them, and
| got upon the main-deck.
As l lay holding my breath. scarcely
knowing what was next to befall. the
handle of my door was tried. the door
pushed. then shaken passionately. after
which voice, in tones which might
have enanated from ghost, exclaimed:
My. Royle, they have killed the
captain and Mr. Duckling, For
Heavens sake. ask them to spare my
life! They will listen to you. sir!''
"Who are you9" answered.
1.-The steward. sir
But as he said this one of the men On
the quarterback shouted: where's
the steward? He's as bad as the others!
He's the one what swore the pork was
SWEET
And then I heard the stewart steal
swiftly away from my cabin door and
some men come into the cuddy. They
would doubtless have hunted him down
there and then. but one of them I'M
consciously diverted the thoughts of
the others. by exclaiming:
There's the second mate in there.
Let's have him out Of it,
My cabin door was again tried, and |
a heavy kick administered
Its locked. can't you see?" said |
one of the men.
As it opened into the cuddy it was
not to be forced. so one of them en- |
claimed that he would fetch mallet |
and calking-iron. with which he re-
turned in less than a couple of minutes, |
and presently the lock was smashed to |
pieces and the door fell open.
Both swinging lamps were alight in
the cuddy, and one, being nearly oppo-
site my cabin. streamed fairly into it.
was seated erect in my bunk when
the men entered. and l Immediately |
exclaimed, pointing to the irons: Il
am glad you have thought of me.
Knock those things of, will you?"
believe there was something in the
cool way in which | pronounced those
words that as fully persuaded them
that | was intent upon the mutiny as
any action l could have committed.
We'll not take long to do that for
you." cried the fellow who held the
mallet Ga formidable weapon blythe
way. in such handsD. Get upon the
deck. and I'll swaller this iron if you
arn't able to dance breakdown in a
iiffy.''
l dropped out of the bunk. and with
two blows the man cut Off the staple,
and kicked the irons OFF.
Now. my lads" said ]. beginning
to play the part l had made up my
mind to act while listening to the on
slaught on the captain and Duckling,
what have you done?"
The fellow who had knocked off the
named Cornish, q man in my own
watch.
The ships ourn-that's what we've
DONE" he said.
The shippers dead as q nail up
there. doubt" exclaimed another.
indicating the poop with a movement
of the head; land if You'll step on to
the main-deck, you'll see how we've
handled Mister Duckling."
land what do YOU mean to do?"
exclaimed q man. one of the four who
had accompanied me to the wreck.
Were masters now. l suppose you
know and 50 I hone you amt apin |