Middletown transcript., 1888-09-06
"I can take this shipout and back,


"The-the-h-l1you can l'' he hiss
: ed after a moment. 6 If you are
navigator, what are you doing forwar
among the men ?''
" I shipped as an able seaman, sil
because no other berth was open at th
time" a
"You are a cussed liar ~ shouted
the enraged man. &c You came aboart
to show off your smartness and max
| trouble. I've had an eye on you
d-n you, and Pm going to work VI
your old iron.'
He drew back to strike me, ant
| I looked him fair in the eyes ant
said:
"Capt. Strong, if you strike me
shall defend myself"
He held his arm ready for a moment
and then let it fall, seeming to realize
| that he was in danger. Then it oc
CURED to him that he was being bluffet
before his mates, and he shouted to thu
steward to bring up his pistol. Th'
weapon was soon handed him, and h,
cooked it and turned to me with:
Now, then, you mutinous dog, get
down on your knees and beg for YOU
1ife."
"Do you know what mutiny is ?o
asked of him, as quietly as possible.
Mutiny is refusal to obey orders
necessary for the working Of the ship.
If you kill me you will go to trial for
cold blooded murder.n
"W-what P'' he gasped.
".And let me tell you something
more, Capt. Strong. You and the
mate are the worse for liquor, as the
whole crew can testify. Your licenses
can be revoked for this. This morn
ing you refused medicine to, Brace,
who is suffering with cholera morbus.
I can have you fined or suspended for
that. Have you a medicine chest
aboard, as required by lawPr No.
There is fine or suspension for that.
You have threatened my life without
excuse, as even your mates must tes-
tify, and I can make you stand trial
for it.
I said all this in a low voice, and
looked him full in the face, while I
kept the brig on her course. His face
grew the color of liver, and then turned
as white as snow. He stood hold
ing the pistol for moment after
I had finished, and then turned
and walked to his cabin, where the
mate was soon summoned to consult
with him. The men forward had
caught on, and half a dozen of them
signaled to me that they would stand
by. shook my head. It was not
mutiny. I, plain Jack Tar, had GER
tain rights which Capt. Strong must
respect. 1t was fight between us
two. Before the captain re-appeared
I was relieved at the wheel, and I
went forward and armed myself with
a revolver from my chest. I also took
the papers bearing on the case and
placed them in my bosom. Then L
urged the crew to stand aloof and let
me fight it out alone. I defined mu-
tiny until they thor oughly understood
what not to do. But there were only
two or three brave fellows in the lot ;
the others had been bounded until
they had no spirit left. They might
have gone into mutiny, for even cow
ards do that, but when it came to
standing up to their rights they were
ours.
The deck watch were all at work
when the captain came on deck again.
He had his pistol in his hand, and the
mate also had one, and the steward
followed them bearing several pairs of
handouts.
Call the men aft to witness
punishment ~ shouted the captain, and
at the order Of the mate all moved aft,
while the watch below came tumbling
up. When we had all assembled the
captain pointed me out and said
" Men, we have dangerous fellow
aboard. He shipped to stir up mutiny
and get us all into trouble ashore.
Fortunately for all Of US have spot
Ted his game at this early date, and
shall now give him his just reward.
Castle, stand out"
1 stepped out in front of the men.
& Steward, put on the handouts"
The steward advanced with pair
in his hand, but I waved him aside
and said
"Capt. Strong, you dare not put
hem on me until I refuse to obey
legitimate order concerning the care of
;he ship. You have certain powers
lnder the laws of the high seas, but
he meanest sailor also has certain |
lights"
He was livid with passion, and it |
vas only after a great effort that he.
aid
IS will have you triced up and fog
,ed to DEATH Steward put on the
rons ~
But the steward dared come no
learer. The captain then ordered the
rev to seize me, but not man
moved. The second mate was then
rdered forward, but he had the sense
% keep his foot out Of it, and he re-
lied:
If Castle has the law, let's hear it.
we sailed twenty years without know
ng the rights of a sailor, and 1 want
o trou BILE in the courts"
l saw captain and first mate look at
ach other, and prepared myself for
rush. They were determined to do
Or me, and as the captain handed his