The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-24
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
q Mutiny &c Ses.
By w. CLARK RUSSELL.

CHAPTER VlII.-CoSTINUED.
''Withyou," Ireplied, Sin every thing
but murder"
Some of them growled, and the car.
penter exclaimed, hastily:
1--WE don't know what you call
murder. We arn't used TO them sort
O. expressions. What's done has hap
pcned, amt it? And l hare heeri tell
of accidents, which is the properest
word to convey our thoughts"
He nodded at me significantly.
'sLook here" said l. '.Just a plain
word with you before l am asked any
more questions. There's not a man
among you who doesn't know that l
have been warm on your side ever
since l learned what kind of provisions
you were obliged to eat. have had
words with the captain about your
stories. and it is rs much because of my
Interference in that matter as because
of my determination not to let a woman
die upon miserable wreck that he
clapped me in irons. l don't know
what YOU mean to do with me, but I'll
not say don't care. | do care
value my life ard in the hope of saving
ii, I'll tell you this. and it's God S
truth-that if you take my life, you'll
be killing man who has been your
friend 1T heart, who has sympathized
with you in your privations, 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 1 folded my arms and
looked iixedly at the carpenter.
They listened to me in silence, and
when [ had done broke into various
eNclamations.
1--WE know all that"
eve don't owe you no grudge."
1--WE don't want your life. Just
show Us what 20 do-that's what it il"
l appeared to pay no attention to
their remarks, but kept my eyes reso-
lntely bent on Stevens. that they
might see I 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 evenin' through the portfolio 1
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
4 say now, and l 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, as mine is William
4 Stevens, and say it before all hands.
we'll sling you overheard as sartin
as there's hair CROWN on your
head-wc will: We'll murder you out
and out. All my mates is a-followin'
of me-so You'll please mind that"
IL hear you" l 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 DC sacrificed"
mo! Nor' shouted the cook. Don't
swear dat. Wait till by-um-by."
'.Be advised by me-" cried. Selling
the fellows frightful meaning, and
dreading the hideous scene it portend-
ed. 1--WE have an Old man and a young
girl on board. Are they safe?''
Yes" answered several voices: and
the cook jabbered: ''Yes, yes" with
horrId contortions of the face, under
the impression that l 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 EN-. Hab no
mercy upon us! Him strike me on de
Jaw and kick me! Toder one poison US!
No mercy he howled. and several
joined in the howl
look here! L am single man
among many" said: '.but i am not
afraid to speak out-because l am an
Englishman speaking to Engiishmen.
with one blood-thirsty yellow savage
among you'll" there was shout of
laughter. IF you wish it, l will 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-
ton by killing them-be merciful.
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 defenseless man slaugh-
tered? There is an Almighty God above
you. and he is the God of vengeance!
Hear me!''
''We'l let the steward gor' cried a
voice; ''but we want our revenge on
Duckling, and we'll have it."
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 skylight:
.'It's as black as thunder to the lee
ward Better stand by, or the ship'll
be aback!'
snow. what am to do?" exclaimed.
I'VE give you command. Out with
your orders-we'll obey EN-" came
the answer.
In few moments was on the poop.
By the first glance l threw upward
saw that the ship was already sbsck.
Port your helm-hasd a-pertr