West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-08-30
Capt. Strong, # you strike me l shallI

his mates, and he shouted 10 the steward
to bring up his pistol. The weapon was
soon handed him, and he cooked it and
turned it to me with:
'Now, then, you mutinous dog, get
down ON your knees and beg for your
''Do you know what mutiny isf'' I
asked of him, as quietly as possible.
''Mutiny is refusal 10 obey orders neces-
saIy for the working of ship. II YOU
kill me, you will go to trial for cold
blooded murder"
"W-whatin he gasped.
tAnd let me tell you something more.
Captain Strong. You and the mate are
the worse for liquor, as the whole crew
can testify, Your licenses can bo re-
voked for this. This morning you re-
fused medicine to Brace, who is suffering
with cholera mOrbus. l can have you
fined or suspended for that Have you
a medicine chest aboard, rs required by
law' No. There is fine or suspension
for that. You have threatened my life
without excuse, as even your mates must
testify, and can make YOU stand trial for
it,"
i said all this in low voice. and look
ing him full in the face while / kept the
brig on her course His face grew the
color of liver, and then as white as
snow. He stood holding the pistol for
a moment after had finished, and then
turned and walked TO his cabin, where
the mate was soon summoned TO counsel
with him. The men forward had caught
on, and half a dozen of them signalled
10 me that they would stand by. 1
shook my head. 1t was not mutiny.
i, plain Jack Tar, had certain rights
which Captain Strong must respect. 1t
was fight between us two. Before the
Captain reappeared was relieved at
the wheel, and went forward and armed
myself with n revolver from my chest.
also took the papers bearing on the
case and placed them in my bosom. Then
urged the crew TO stand aloOf and let
me tight it out alone. l defined mutiny
until they understood thoroughly what
not to do. But there were only two or
three brave fellows In tho lot; the others
had been bounded until they had no
spirit left. They might have gone into
mutiny, for even towards do that; but
when it came to standing up for their
rights they were ours.
The dsck-watch were all at work when
the Captain came on deck again. lie
had his pistol in his hand, and the mate
also had one, and the steward followed
them bearing several pairs of hand.
cuffs.
"Call the men aft to witness punish
mentp shouted the Captain, ana at the
order of the mate all moved aft, while
the watch below came tumbing M.
When we had all assembled the Captain
pointed me out and said:
"Men, we have dangerous fellow
aboard. He shipped to stir up mutiuy
aud get us all into trouble ashore.
Fortunately for all of us / have spotted
his game at this early date, and shall
now give him his just reward. Castle,
stand out"
j stepped out in front OF the men.
''Steward, put on the handouts"
The steward advanced with a pair in
his hand, but waved him aside and
said:
captain Strong you dare not put
those on me until / refuse TO obey
Legitimate order concerning the care of
the ship. You have certain powers
under the laws OF the high seas, but the
meanest sailor also has certain rights"
He was livid with passion, aud il was
only after great effort that nc said:
Il will have you triced up and logged
TO death Steward put on the ironSl"
\ But the steward dared come no nearer.
The Captain then ordered the crew TO
seize me, but not a man moved The
second mate was then ordered forward.
but he had the sense TO keep his foot
out Of it, an 4 he replied:
'if Castle has the law, let's hear it.
Pve sailed twenty years without know
ing the rights Of sailor and want no
trouble in the courts"
i saw Captain and first mate look at
each other, and prepared myself for
rush. They were determined 20 do for
me, and as the Captain handed his pis-
tol to the steward / called out:
"1len you are my witnesses that Ihave
not refused TO do duty or obey orders.
No Captain has a right to irce man
up, and he can lie put in irons only for
disobed:ence Of legitimate orders. II
they lay hands on me il is at their peril" "
They came with rush, both were
Knocked oil their feet inside Of ten sec
ond3. The mate was satifed with that.
but the Captain came al me again, and
this time / give him all he wanted Nos
man raised hand or voice, and / parc
the brute such drubbing that he did
not get out Of his cabin again foe five
days Then II was 20 signal an English
man-os-war We were boarded by an
otiCer ] was given in charge a.
mutineer, and four months later was nut
on trial at Liverpool / not only re-
ceived full aCquital at the hands OF the
jury, but was complimentod on all sides.
and Captain and mate were both
suspended from duty for
term. The affair raised a great talk.
as may be supposed and IL was seed
which could have been well planted. a
few sailors did profit by It to assert
their manhood for n time, but after
little things went backward and became
worse than ever. To-day, despite the
romance Of poets and novolists. the
average salt water sailor Is orinoino
coward The law gives him every right
but he dares not stand up TO a SINGLE
one lie has less personal independence
than state prison convict.
My second voyage, which he'd TO be
made under another name, MS all can
ta ms had been warned against me, was
from Liverpool 70 an Francisco, in tho
bark Enchantross. Just why CAPTAIN
and mates let me alone ! never knew. for
others who did their duty as we'll were
grossly abused but 7 was not even
threatened during the voyage. Before
we had been week out The mate brokoa
mans nose with a behaving riu. Novt