The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-17
The Story of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
q Mutiny at Sea-
CHAPTER VII.
By w. CLARK RUSSELL


The ship. hove to. was off her course
but when she filled, she brought the
wreck right abreast of the portfolio in
my cabin. l stood watching for some
minutes with peculiar emotions.
The ship now lying over shut the
wreck from view, and I shifted my
clothes as speedily as 1 could, being
anxious to hear what Captain Coxon
should say to ME.
remember thinking that the girl ]
had rescued was in an awkward posi-
ton, being the only female on the ship
and with no clothing except that she
stood in. which was wringing wet.
Even if she were able to get along for
time she would certainly want a
change of apparel before we reached
Valparaiso.
Thus thinking. l was pulling on a
boot when there came an awkward
knock at the door. and in stepped the
carpenter, Stevens. closely followed by
Duckling. Stevens held bar of iron
in his hand with collar at either end.
and one collar fastened with a pad
lock.
Duckling closed the door and i'm
mediately said:
Captain Coxons orders are to put
you in irons. Carpenter, clap those
belavers on his Shins,n
| jumped off the chest on which
was seated. not with the intention of
resisting, but of demonstrating; but
Duckling, mlstaking the action, drew
a pistol out of his side-pocket. and.
presenting it at my head. SAID. right
through his nose. which was the first
time L had heard him so speak: If
YOU don't let the carpenter do his work
I'll shoot YOU dead-so mIndr'
''1our re Il rutfiau and bullyr' said
/: .'bGt III keep my life if only to pun
ISL you and Your master.'
Saving which. | reseated myself.
folded my arms resolutely and suffered
the carpenter to lock the ircns on NV
ankles, keeping my eyes fixed on Duck
ling with an expression of the utmost
scorn and dislike in them.
Now" said he. s.you Internal mu-
tinous hound, Ireckon you'l not give
Us much trouble for the rest of the
voyage"
This injurious language was more
than my temper could brook. Scarcely
knowing what l did, threw myself
against him. caught his throat and
dashed him violently down upon the
deck. The pistol exploded in his hand
as he fell.
Carpenter" I cried, furiously,
"'open that door,
The fellow obeyed me instantly. and
walked out of the cabin. Duckling Law
pretty well stunned upon the deck:
but in few moments he would have
been up and at ME. and. hampered as l
was by the irons. he must have mas
tered me easily. shambled over to
where he lay, dragged him upright
and pitched him with crash through
the open door against the cuddy table.
He struck it heavily and rolled under
1t. and then slammed the door and
sat down. feeling faint and quite ex-
hausted of breath.
The door had not been closed two
minutes when it was partially opened.
and friendly hand (the boatswain's,
as | afterward iearned) placed pam
nikin of rum-and-water on the deck.
and voice said: They'll not let you
be here long. sir The door was then
shut again; and, very thankful for a
refreshment of which !! stood seriously
in need. ] got hold of the pannikin and
swallowed the contents.
| tried to reflect upon nv position
but could not imagine what might be
the intentions of the captain towards
me or what would be the result of NV
combat with DucklIng. Thinking the
rutfian might visit ME again to get re-
venge, aud knowing l would be al
most at his mercy. hampered as was.
l laid hold of a sea boot with an IRON
-shod heel and held it ready TO strike at
the buliy's head should he enter. How
ever after little l saw him pass my
cabin with a blue lump over his right |
eve. while the rest of his face shone |
with soap which he must have used !
without stint TO get rid oftheblood which |
had smeared it / noticed number
of the crew just under the forcastle con-
verslng in a very earnest manner, and |
sometimes looking toward my cabin.
l saw that CoNon and the first mate \
had me at 4 disadvantage. / knew |
that the crew sympathized with me ,
but the idea of a mutiny among them |
gave me no pleasure for knew the |
captain supported by DuekIing would |
swear | was the ring-leader, and the
fact that l had called to the
men to help me put off the wreck /
would tell against me N any court of !;
inquiry. So L stood 4 good chance of /
being ruined professionally and even
undergoing a term of Imprisonment l
was also growing hungry, for it was
after my usual dinner hour and had
done enough extra work to give me an
appetite The captain was eating his
dinner for not only smelled the cook
ing but heard him talking with the
steward who was the only man in the
ship who showed any liking for him.
I tried to hear if the old man or the
girl were with him, but caught no other
voice feared they would fare poorly
st his hands for he was certainly a
cold-blooded scoundrel.
By and by l heard Duckling's voice.
showing that the captain had gone on
deck. This man, either wanting the
tact of his superior or hating me more
bitterly (which l admit was fair, see
ing how had punished him), said in
q loud voice to the steward:
what fodder is that mutinous dog
yonder TO haves'
The steward spoke low and 1 did
not hear HIM.
''Serve the skunk right" continued
the chief mate. by glory! if there
was oHly pair of handouts on board
they should be on him. How's this
lump@'
The steward replied and Mr.. Duck
ling continued:
Il guess the fellow at the wheel ,