The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-16

thought i concluded that musiny
would sui. my purpose better than to
have the captain remain in charge,
because it would relieve me from the
disgrsceful position in which l was
placed by the malice of my two su-
periors.
A little after one o'clock l fell into a
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 few moments the voices of the
mea where silenced, and l 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, I
wondered where they had stationed
themselves. and whatthey were doing.
As to myself, the irons on my legs
made me quite helpless.
The time that now passed seemed an
eternity, and l was beginning to won
der whether the voices l had heard
might not have been Coxon's and the
stewart Sail was so quiet-when a
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 a sharp human squeal,
was raised forward, and Immediately
there was sharp twiri and shuttle of
feet on the deck. followed by a groan
and fall. At the same moment q
door was forced open in the cuddy,
and, as l might judge by what fol-
lowed, body of men tumbled into the
chief-mate's cabin. A growing and
vel ping 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, rs / imagined, the muscular, in
furiated chief mate would not fall an
easy prey, fighting as he deemed for
his life. | heard the thump of bodies
swung against the paneling. fierce eX-
ccrations, the smash of crockery and
the heavy Breathing of men engaged in
deadly conflict.
Itwns brief enough in reality, though
Duckling seemed to find them work for
a good while.
Don't kill him now! Wait till dere's
plenty OBJ light" howled a voice, which
l knew to be the cooks. And then
they came along the cuddy, dragging
the body, which they hal either killed
or knocked insensible. after them, and
got upon the main-deck.
AS 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 emanated from ghost, exclaimed:
My. Royle, they have killed the
captain and Mr.. Duckling. For
Heavens sake, ask them to spare my
lie! They will listen to you, sir!'
"Who are you?" answered.
'"The steward, sir.
But as he said this one of the men on
the quarterback shouted: "Where'S
the steward? He's as bad rs the others!
He's the one what sworc the pork was
SWEET
And then l 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
diverted the thoughts of
the others, by eNclaiming:
There's the second mate i'm there.
Let's have him out Of it"
My cabin door was again tried, and
q heavy kick administered.
Its locked, can't you scc?" said
one of the men.
As it opened into the cuddy it was
not to be forced, so one of them eX-
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
pointing to the irons: Il
an 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
hat | was intent upon the mutiny as
any action | could have committed.
We'll not take long to do that for
,ou," cried the fellow who held the
nallet Ga formidable weapon blythe
way, in such handSD. Get upon the
leck, and I'll swaller this iron if you
.rn't able to dance a breakdown in a
ifiy"'
l dropped out of the bunk, and with
wo blows the man cut off the stap,e,
md kicked the irons off.
Now, my lads" said |, beginning
o play the part L had made up my
mind to act while listening to the on
laught on the captain and Duckling.
what have you done?"
The fellow who had knocked off the |
rons, and now answered me, was
lamed Cornish, a man in my own
watch.
The ships ourn-that's what we've |
lone" he said.
The shippers dead as a nail up |
here, l doubt" exclaimed another. |
the poop with movement |
# the head; land if you'll step on to |
he main-deck, you'll see how we've |
handled Mister Duckiing."
And what do you mean to do?"
Xclqimed a man, one of the four who |
lad accompanied me to the wreck. |
'We're masters now, l suppose you
now, and so l hope you amt agin
Is"