Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-24
GeAOtO TO MUTIAY.


for Rio Janeiro.
Will had brought his wife on board,
because she had been in poor health, and
the doctors had said that a voyage to the
tropics was all she needed.
She did rapidly improve as we sailed
southwark. She was a beautiful woman,
and a sweet tempered, amiable one.
had sailed with Will Burden some
years before. He was naturally kind
hearted, while he was strict in the matter
OF discipline as a seaman, and possessed
"a very determined spirit.
We had never sailed with Capt. Stone
before, and we knew nothing of his
character, but we had not been many
days at sea when we discovered that he
was a very %tyrannical man. Not only
was his harshness and arrogance leveled
at the submissive sailors, but he was
haughty and supercilious toward the
mate and myself-which is a thing very
unusual, as 1t is generally desirable with
fhe most overbearing captain to retain
the good will of his officers.
Twenty three days passed and we were
off Cape st. Rogue, Brazil.
/ was off watch one afternoon and was
sitting under an awning near the fore
castle, when ] was aroused from a drowsy
reverie by the loud, angry voice of Capt.
Stone at the cabin door.
'tNot another wordp' | heard him say
with an oath. "Give me any more Of
your %impudence and III put you in
irons and keep you there until we reach
ysio,''
Looking in the direction, | saw the
captain turn into the cabin while Will
Burden approached me, accompanied by
his wife. Something had happened. She
looked the picture of terror, while VIII
was pale as death.
His eyes shone with a fierce light that
contrasted strangely with his bloodless
face.
Never mind. BE quiet, WIZ Iheard
his wife say.
Whats the matter, WHIP" I asked in
IA low tone, as they reached me.
He could not speak at first, but pres
emily replied, in a husky voice:
lie has insulted my wife, Joe-grossly.
1 could have borne anything but that
Glow was it?' | asked.
F'She has just come out and told me"
he replied, grinding his teeth. Il remon-
strated with him quietly, and he treated
me like a dog. | wish we were at Rio.
/ don't think | can stand it,"
AT this moment the captains harsh
voice was again heard on deck. He was
cursing one of the sailors, simply out Of
pure viciousness, and wound up by knock
ing him down with a Delaying pin.
Nor did he stop at that. He began to
administer fierce kicks upon the sailors
head and face. He was in q terrible hu-
mo But, exasperated beyond all dis.
erection, the poor fellow struggled to his
feet. and with a blow sent the captain
reeiing against the hulwark.
With "A terrible oath, the captain sprang
into the cabin. and the next instant reap
peared with his revolver.
The sailor, who was bleeding profuseiy
ran forward and took refuge under The
forccas!le deck, among some boxes, coils
ef rope and anchor chains. Capt. Stone
followed.
Come out, wretch he yelled, purple
with rage, while he leyelcd his re.
volver.
Without waiting 50 see if his terrible
command would be obeyed, he com
uenced firing. and three shots rang out
in rapid succession.
81 gAAA0Ait va ASNiI AAsl III AICD
recess of the forecastle.
~ wa. excitement. VIII sprang to his
feet; his wife tainted. Capt. Stone re-
turned to the cabin.
| told several of the sailors 20 see to
their companion, who was either killed
or wounded, and | hurrielly procured
some waite, though it was by no means
cool, and dashed it into the face of the
fainting N She was soon restored
10 consciousness.
Then turned again toward the fore
castle. A dense volume of smoke was
issuing therefrom, and several voices
screamed Fire.
The truth was, one of the captains
bullets had pierced a case Of phosphorus,
shattering the glass jars in which it was
contained, thus permitting the water to
escape, when it Immediately took fire.
A dense volume Of smoke rolled out
from the forecastle, thena burst of flame.
Get the hose-quick!'
1--WE can't, was replied. They're in
there where the fire is"
The buckets The buckets!'
But the fire gained strength SO rapidly
that buckets Of water dashed upon it
seemed like mere tear drops.
Orders were given the man at the wheel
10 put the ship before the wind. 1t was
n respite, but not preservation.
The heat became insufferable, and all
hands prepared to abandon the vessel.
Two boats were lowered aft, and hastily
stocked with provisions. One of these
boats was a lifebost, which was presumed
To be the captains boat in extremity. and
the other a yawl. There were two boats
forward, on the roof of the "house on
deck" but they were already wrapped in
flames.
The captain began giving directions as
I'd the manning of the two boats, order
ing that Mrs. Burden be consigned to the
Lfeboat.
MIR, Burden" said the captain, you
viii take charge Of the yawl."
But, sir" said Will, my wife"
DO as | tell you! This is no time for
argument exclaimed Capt. Stone.
but you do not mean TO separate my
wife and me?" said Will.