The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-16
of myself: for if they should hear this

1 as to the character OF the persons who
had rescued them. and scarcely know,
| indeed, whether we were not all cut
threats.
Shortly after this, Duckling came
out on to the main-deck, and, observ-
, ing me looking through the window,
bawled at the top of his voice for the
carpenter, who presently came, and
Duckling, pointing to my window.
gave him some instruction, which he
went away to execute. A young. or
binary seaman-an Irish lad named
Drisooll-was eoiling rope over one
OF the belaying-pins around the main
mast Duckling pointed up afoft, and
his voice sounded, though l did not
hear the order. The lad waited to coil
the rest of the rope-a fathom or So
before obeying; whereupon Duckling
hit him a blow on the back, slowed
him round, caught him by the throat
and backed him saVagely against the
starboard bulwarkS, roaring, in lam
guage quite audible to me nov: Up
with you, You skuiker! Up with you,
l say, or I'll pound you to pieces"
At this moment the carpenter APP
preached my window, provided with 4
hammer and couple of planks, which
he proceeded to nail upon the frame
work. Duckling watched him with a
grin upon his ugly face, the lump over
bis eye not improving the expression.
as you may believe. l was now in
comparative darkness; for the port
hole admitted but little light, and, I'M
like the rest of the cuddy berths, my
cabin had no bull s-eye.
reached the door with great deal
OF trouble, for the iron bar hampered
my movements excessively, and found
it locked outside; but by whom and
when | did not know. for l had not
heard the key turned. But | might
depend that Duckling had done this
with cat-hkG stealthiness, and that he
probably had the key in bis pocket.
L was hungry enough to have felt
grateful for Il biscuit, and had half
mind to sing out to the steward to
bring me something to eat, but reflect
ed that my doing so might only pro-
woke an insulting answer from the fel-
low. With some difficulty pulled the
mattress out of the cot and put it into
the bunk. as my pinioned legs would
not enable me to climb or spring, and
lay down and presently fell asleep.
| slept away the greater part Of the
afternoon; and when awOke a strong
wind was blowing and the ship lying
heavily over to it.
looked over the edge of the bunk,
and saw near the door a tin dish, con-
tanning some common ships biscuit and
a can of cold water. | was so hungry
that | jumped up eagerly to get the bis
cult, by doing which | so tweaked my
ankles with the irons that the blood
came from the broken skin. | made
SHIFT TO reach the biscuit, which proved
to be the ships bread rs served to the
men, and ate greediiy, being indeed
famished; but speedily discovered the
substantial grounds of complaint the
sailors had against the ships stores;
for the biscuit was intolerably moldy
and rotten, and so full of weevils that
nothing but hunger could have induced
me to swallow the abomination. l
TO devour a couple of these
things, and drank some water; and
then pulled out my pipe and began to
smoke.
Time passed YEARLY. On further
l did not believe any court
would deal severely with me for had
the evidence of the crew that had
done nothing worse than to insist upon
the rescue of human beings from a
wreck. But my position was decidedly
none the less. As the even
ing advanced the wind freshened and
all hands were employed taking in
sail.
Two bells (nine o'clock had struck
hammering upon the headlight of my
cabin. With great difficulty hoisted
my feet out of the bunk and drew my
self to the portfolio. UNFINISHED the
screw that kept the headlight closed
and it blew open.
Fearful of my voice being heard in
the cuddy-for this was the hour when
the spirits were put upon the table.
and it was quite kelly that CoNon or
Duckling might be seated within. drink
ing alOne-I mufflt d my voice between
my hands and asked who was there.
The fellow damned his face so eff
fectualiy into the portfolio as to ex-
ciude the wind, so that the whisper in
which he spoke was quite distinct.
"Me-Stevsns, the carpenter. I've
come from the crew. But you're to
take your solemn oath you'll not split
upon us if l tell you what's goin' to
hapPen?'
Il am not in a position to split"
replied. but | can make no prom |
seS until know your intentions
The man was a long time silent |
Several times be withdrew his face, as
knew (for l could not see him( by !
the rush of wind that came in, to shake |
free of the spray that broke |
over him.
Its just this" he said, bunging up
the portfolio again. Wed rather |
take twelve-month Imprisonment |
ashore. in the worst Jail in England.
than work this vessel on the rotten
food we're obliged to eat. What we
want to know is, will you take charge |
D the ship and carry her where we
tells yer, if we give you commando
l was too much startled by this Ques-
ion to reply at once. Influenced by
he long term of confinement be-
.ore me if Captain Coxon remained in
by my bitter dislike of Kim
and his bully factotum, by the longing
20 be free, and the hundred excuses l !
>ould frame for cooperating with the
rev, my first impulse was to say yes.
But there came quickly considerations
If the danger Of mutiny on board ship.
If the sure excuses OF men made reck-
ess by liberty and freed from the dis
,ipline which, though their passions
night protest against it, their still
stronger instincts admitted and obeyed.
--'Give us your answer" said the
nan. If the chief mate looks over,