The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-31
The Story of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Accou-t of
q Mztiny at Sea.
OY w. CLARK RUSSELL.
CHAPTER vIIL-COyrINuEo.

ourselves. Where's the ship bound
to? i don't want to be hanged when l
get ashore"
Now, them" said /, ''we Will come
to that. Mr.. Stevens, you told me
all your plans were prepared. Am /
to have your coniidence?"
"Sartainly." replied the fellow.
''You are scollared. and we look to you
to get Us out of this scrape. We have
treated you well and made you skip
per-"
go ahead" said I, seating myself
'coolly on grating.
This mutiny," said he, SIS all on
account of bad treatment. Had the
captain acted fair we would have acted
fair. He rs good rs promised he would
put in for fresh stores, but never al
tered the ships course, and we was
bound we wouldn't starve. So we
did the business. But we never meant
to kill either of them. We was afraid
they had pistols on them and they
fought hard. So they died of their own
dom 5.
"As to where we want to CO. he
continued, ''some was in favor of one
place and some of another; but most
of us wants TO go to Ameriky; for it S
a big place and good one to hide in.
And so our plan is this. as easy as say
in YOUR prayers: Well draw lots ami
choose upon the coast for YOU to run
us to; and when we're days sail of
them parts, leavin' you to tell lis and
TO keep us out o the way of ships, we
mind, Mr. Royle?" stern signifi-
canoe, l nodded-s'some of us gets in
TO the long boat and some into the
-quarter-boats, and we pulls for the
shore. And wot we DO and says when we
gets ashore needn't matter, ell mates?
We're shipwrccked mariners, destitoot
and fcrlOrn, and every man for his
self. And SO. that's our plan"
''Ies, that's our PLAN" said one,
'.but it amt all You're not putting
every thing TO Mr. Royle, mate.''
Look here. Bill" answered the
carpenter. sayagely. "either I'm to
manage this here business or IN not.
If you re for carryIn' of it on. good and
weil-say the word. and then We'll
know the time o'day. But either it
must be You or it must Ie There
amt room for two voices in one
mouth.
I've got no.hen' to saw" rcioined
the man addressed as ..Bill." extend
ING his arms and turning his back;
''onlv | thought you might ha' for
got.
What the carpenter was holding
back / could not guess; but exhibited
no curiosity. Neither did tell them
that our course 10 the american
Shores" rs they called it, would bring
lis right in the road of vessels from all
parts of the world. Nv business was
to listen and to act as circumstances
should dictate. with good Judgment, if
possible. for the preservation of nv
own ard the lives of the old man and
his daughter.
The carpenter now paused to hear
what | had to say. Finding this, eX-
claimed:
Il know what you want me to do;
and the sooner you Xix upon q point to
start for the better"
Cant YOU advise us2" said one of
the men. Give Us some Place easily
fetched
Il was never on the North Ameri-
can coast" | answered.
Well. Amerky amt the only place
in the world" said Fish.
You'd best not say that when you re
there" exclaimed johnson.
Most OF the hands wants to go
ashore in Amcriky. and SO that's set
tied. mates" said the carpenter,
Sharply.
Lets keep south, anyhow, say /.
If we can make New Orleans, there's
plenty of vessels sailing every day from
that port, paying good wages" said
johnson.
And every man can choose for
hisself where he'll sail for" observed
Fish.
MAKE up Your minds" exclaimed,
"and I'll alter tho ships course"
SO saying, / got OFF the grating and
walked 10 the other end of the poop.
was easier in my mind now that l
observed the disposition of the men.
They were plainly frightened by what
they had done and this alone would
prevent further acts of violence for the
present l doubted, however. whether
they would allow me to leave the ship.
knowing that woald inform on them
at the first opportunity. But | could
not allow my mind TO dwell upon the
future II this time.
Presently the carpenter called to me,
and Went over 10 the men.
''We're all resolved. Mr.. Royle,"
said he. in q pretty civil voice, land
our votes is for New Orleans. Plenty
of vessels is wrecked in the Gulf of
Mexico, as I've heeard tell; aud when
were about fifty miles off you'll say
so. and give Us the bearings of the
Mississippi. and well not trouble you
any more"
''How's her head?' l asked the man
at the wheel.
''Sou'west," he replied.
keep her way!" l exclaimed, for
the weather leeches were flat.
whats orr true course for New
Orlcans?' asked the carpenter, sus-
piciously.
'.Stop a bit and I'll show you." / an
swered, and went below to the cap
tain's cabin to get the chart.
Steward called.
''Yes, SIR" replied tie miserable
whining voice. 1t was still too dark
for me to see the man.
snake your mind easy-:hey'll not
kurt you.' l said.
He started up and rushed toward me
Ike e mailman.
May God in Heaven bless your he
cried, 9alirious with JOY.
''hoia Off, l exclaimed, keeping
him away with my outstretched hand.
eet your Wits about yc.i. and remain
mere Tor the present. Don't let them
near Won. aua don Z Shoxu ,-orr-,lf IL,