The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-23
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account of
a Mutiny at See.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.
CHAPTER vIIL-CoxTrHUEo

CHAPTER VIII-CONTINUEo
"WithyOu, " Ireplied, ''in every thing
but murder"
Some of them growled. and the car
penter exclaimed, hastily:
1--WE don't know what you cal
murder. We arn't used TO them sor
o expressions. What's done has hap
pened, amt it? And hare heerd tel
of accidents, which is the properest
word to convey our thoughts"
He nodded at me significantly.
Look here" said j. Just a plain
word with you before | am asked any
more questions. There's not a man
among you who doesn't know that
have been warm on your side ever
since | learned what kind of provisions
YOU were obliged to eat l have had
words with the captain about your
stories, and it is rs much because OF nv
interference in that matter as because
of my determination not to let woman
die upon n miserable wreck that he
clapped me i'll irons. | don't know
what you mean to do with NE, but Iii
not say don't care. | do care /
value nv life and in the hope of saving
1T, FL tell you this. and it's God $
truth-that if you take my life, you'll
be killing a man who has been your
friend at heart, who has sympathized
with you in your priyations, who has
never to his knowledge spoken harshly
to you when he had the power to do
so, and who, had he commanded this
vessel, wOuli have shifted your pro-
visions long ago"
So saying | folded nv arms and
looked tixcdly at the carpenter.
They listened to me in silence, and
when had done broke into various
EXPLANATIONS.
1--WE know all that"
I'VE don't owe you no grudge."
1--WE don't want your life. just
show us what TO do-that'S what it is"
appeared to pay no attention to
their remarks, but kept my eyes reso-
lutely bent on Stevens. that they
might see | accepted him as their
mouthpiece, and would deal only with
him.
Well" he began, "All what you
say Is quite correct, and we've no fault
to find with you. What says 10 you
this eyenin' through the portfolio |
says now-will you navigate this here
vessel for us to the port as we've
agreed on? And if you'll do that you
can choose officers out of us, and we'll
do your bidding as though you was
lawful skipper, and trust TO you. But
i say now, and | says it before all
hands here. that if you takes us where
we don't want to go, or put us in the
way Of any man-O'-war, or try in any
manner to bring us to book for this
here job, SO help me, Mr.. Royle, and
that's you're name, rs mine is William
Stevens, and say it before all hands,
we'll sling you overheard as sartin
as there's hair CROWN on your
head-we will; We'll murder you out
and out All my mates is a-followin'
of me-so you'll please mind that!
II hear YOU" [ replied. land will
do your bidding, but on this condition
that having killed the captain, you
will swear to me that no more lives
shall DE sacrificed.
No! MOI shouted the cook. Don't
swear dat! Wait till by-Hm-by."
''Be advised by me-" l cried. Selling
the fellows frightful meaning, and
dreading the hideOus scene it portend-
cd. eve have an Old man and young
girl on board. Are they safe?'
Yes" answered several voices; and
the cook iabbered: "Yes, yes!" with
horrId comfort onS of the face, under
the impression that had mistaken his
interruption.
1--WE have the steward and the chief
mate?'
"Dat's dey. dat's deyr screamed the
cook. mo mercy upon 'em. Hab no
mercy upon US! Him Strike me on de
jaw and Kick me! Toder one poison u.s.
No mercyrn he howled, and several
Joined in the howl.
Look here! l am single man
among many" 1 said; ''but / am not
afraid to speak out-because am an
Englishman speaking to Englishmen,
with one blood-thirSty yellow savage
among your there was shout of
laughter. If you wish it, l viii 60 on
my knees to you, and implore you
not TO stain Your hands with these
mems blood. You have them in Your
power-you can not better your posi-
NlOn DN hlliluS b0Siu-oe meTclIul!
Mates, how would you kill them-in
cold blood? Is there an EngliShman
among you who would slaughter a
defenselesS man? who would stand by
and see q defenseless man slaugh-
tered? There is an Almighty God above
you, and he is the God of vengeance!
Hear mel"
We'll let the steward go!" cried a
voice; ''but we want our revenge on
Duckling, and we'll have il. -
And once again the ominous growl-
ing of angry men muttering altogether
arose; in the midst of which the fellow
who was steering left the wheel to sing
out through the skyight:
'.It's as black as thunder to the lee
ward. Better stand by, or the ship'll
be abackr
"Now, what am to do?" exclaimed.
"We give you command. Out with
your orders-we'n obey EN-" came
She answer.
In few moments was. on the poop.
BY the, first glance threw upward
saw that the ship was already abaek.
Port your helm-hard a-porti' I