Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-22

him Another sailor who was standing
near US, and who had heard me give my
decision, then came up to Pete and said:
Don't you think as how the lad ought
to do it? He's light of foot and wouldn't
stumble and wake them like one OF us
lubbers probably would
Pete seemed to reflect flor moment
Then he turned to me and said: You
are the very one to do it, my lad. You
see, though we don't want to hurt nobody
in the cabin, we amt so sure that nobody
in the cabin wouldn't hurt US If they GOT
a chance Now. the mate, he's got PTS
toll. He keeps it in the drawer right un-
der his bunk. and that drawers nearly al
WAYS part open. so the cook says, and he's
been in there The second mate. don
keep no pistol: no more does the steward
nor the carpenter. But the captain keeps
two pistols. They are right in the drawer
of the table in the after cabin. ana the
drawer isn't locked. so the cook says, and
he's been in there. Mind. don't ask you
to steal those pistols. We only want 10
get them away from the cabin folks, we IL
never use the pistols. Well put them
in the cooks store room, where they IL
find them quick enough. If 1t wasn't
stealing. we'd just chuck those pistols
overheard.
As usual, did not stop to reflect |
volunteered to secure the three pistols.
and was slapped on the back and told
| was a brave lad. I had on several oc-
casions. while at work. peeped through
the after cabin windows. and had seen the
table. in the draw of which were the two
|pistols The captains stateroom opened
off OF the after cabin, so that there was
some danger of waking the skipper, but
this did not frighten me out OF under'aK-
ing the adventure. 1t was agreed that
should 90 into the cabin and secure the
pistol al seven bells, if the second mate
was then aft. as he was pretty soon 10 be-
At length seven bells struck aft, and were
repeated by the lookout forward. Inc
second mate was standing aft by the
wheel, and the coast was clear. | stole
through the port cabin door and went In
to the stateroom of the mate, who had
left his door half open. He was snor-
inc heavily Beneath the bunk found a
drawer, partly open. | stuck in my hand
and after IA little cropping | found the pis-
tol and took it out | got safely out of
the mates room, and, moving softly
through the forward cabin, gently opened
the door of the after cabin. | could
hear the breathing of the captain. who
seemed to be sleeping soundly. | CROPPED
nv way to the table and succeeded in
opening the drawer and securing the two
pistols without making any noise. Then
| stole back to the door, and was about to
enter the forward cabin, when thought
struck me. And strangely enough for the
first time in my life, stopped and reflect
ed.
What thought |, If these men are
bent on real mutlny? What if they mean
to shoot the officers with their pistols?
Some one said that the captain had brought
money with him to trade with in China.
Suppose the men propose to secure that
money, and sink or set fire to the ship,
after numbering the officers and perhaps
me? They could easily escape to the
shore in the longboat.'
looked toward the deck, and through
the door of the forward cabin could see
dark figures moving stealthily and I'M
easily about: What could do? A thought
struck me. One by one | removed the
cartridges from the revolving cylinders,
And thus rendered the pistols Harmless
Then placed the cartridges in my peck
ct and stole through the forward cabin
and out on to the deck. was instantly
seized by rough hands, and the pistols
were taken from me. Then found my
self flat on my back with mans hand
over my mouth. | looked up and saw
pointed at my breast a sheath knife. which
was in the grasp of a wicked looking
sailor saw that | had fallen into a
trap, and | gave myself up for lost. |
closed my eyes, expecting to feel the steel
enter my breast Then | heard smoth-
cred curse from Pete.
These pistols havn't so much as car
fridge among the three of Them said
Pete
| opened my eyes. The sailor who had
prepared to stab me paused in his muir
derous work. Pete bent over me, and in
fierce whisper wanted to know what had
done with the cartridges. Then | thought
! saw n glimmer of hope.
There was box of cartridges in the
cabin draw said but how did know
the pistols wasn't loaded! didn't have
time to stop and look.
One of the sailors proposed that should
be sent back after the cartridges, but
said was afraid they would kill me the
moment got back. Pete swore that no
one would touch me If brought back the
cartridges AND said he, well give you
your full share of the captains money"
I said that | would 90 back. The sailors
pushed me toward the cabin door.
glanced over my shoulder and caught
sight of the green light of another vessel
some distance on. That gave me an idea.
After PETE had showed me into the cabin
door | made bound for the after cabin
and cried out at the top of my voice:
Ship ahoy, Captain A sail on the
starboard bow close to us. She'll run US
down! Have out. everybody
looked over nv shoulder Dark faces
were glaring in through the cabin door.
But TIE men seemed undecided whether to
follow me. Then came answering shouts
from the people in the cabin The mutt
neers seemed to be taken by surprise. A
panic seized upon them. and they retreat
ed forward. The captain. mate. carpenter
and steward came out of their staterooms
and hurried on deck and saw vessel
cross our bows. but at a good distance
ahead. Then the captain gave me a cuff
and dragging me into the cabin. asked
me how had dared 10 wake him that way
when there was no danger. | hurriedly
told the captain what had happened. He
rush d into the after cabin, and, unlock
ing drawer under his bunk, took out sew
eral loaded revolvers, one OF which he