Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-08-30

dared you ship aboard as an able sea-
mnnPn
Because am one, sir" l quietly
answered.
"Oh. you are, ohP Perhaps you are
a navigator also?" he sneered.
81 can take this ship out and back,
sir" ] answered.
1.-The - the - deuce you canr he
hIssod after a moment "If YOU are a
navigator, what are you doing forward
among the menP"
81 shipped as an ablo seaman, sir,
because no other berth was open az
the time"
"You are a cussed liarr' shouted
the enraged man. "You came aboard
10 show of your smartness and make
trouble. I've had an eye on you, curse
you, and I'm going TO work up your
old iron"
He drew back TO strike me, and l
looked him fair in the eyes and said;
Captain Strong, II you strike mo l
shall defend myself"
He held his arm ready for moment,
and then let IL fall, seeming TO realize
that he was in danger. Then It oc-
CURED TO him that he was being
bluifed before his mates, and he
shouted TO the steward TO bring up his
pistols. The weapon was soon handed
him, and he cooked it and turned TO
me with:
"Now, then, you mutlnous dog, get
down on your knees and bog for your
life"
do you know what mutiny is2" /
asked OF him, as quietly as possible.
'Mutiny is refusal 10 obey orders nee
ossary for the working OF the ship. II
you kill me, you will go to trial for
cold-blooded murder"
"W-whatp" no gasped.
And 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 revoked for this. This morn
ing you refused medicine TO Brace,
who is suffering with cholera morbus
l can have you fined or suspended for
that Have You a medicine chest
aboard, as required by law2 No.
There is fine or suspension for that.
You have threatened my life without ex-
cuse, as even your mates must testify,
and can make you stand trial for IL. ~
said all this in a low voice, and
looking 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 moment after /. had fin
ished, and then turned and walked to
his cabin, whore the mato was soon
summoned to counsel with him. The
uen forward had caught on, and half
a dozen Of them signalled 10 me that
they would stand by. l shook my
head. 1t was not u mutiny. l, plain
Jack Tar, had certain rights which
Captain Strong must respect. II was
a fight between us two. Before the
Captain reappeard l was relieved at
the wheel, and l went forward and
armed myself with a revolver from my
chest also took the papers bearing
on the case and placed them in my
bosom. Thon / urged the crew to
stand aloof and let me fight it cut
alone. defined mutiny until they
thoroughly understood what not 10 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 towards do that, but
when II came to standing up for their
rights they were ours.
The deck-wRtch were all at work
when tho 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 punish
mentln shouted the captain, and at the
order OF the mate all moved aft, while
tho watch below came tumbling up.
When we had all assembled the captain
pointed me out and said:
"Men, we have a dangerous fellow
aboard. He shipped TO stir up mutiny
and get us all into trouble ashore.
Fortunately for all OF us 1 have spot
ted his game at this early date, and
shall now give him his just reward.
Castle. stand out"
] stepped out in front Of the men.
Steward, put on the handcuffs.'
The steward advanced with pais IN
his hands, but / waved him aside and
said:
Captain Strong, you dare not put
those on me until refuse TO obey le-
gitimate order concerning the care OF
the ship. You have certain powers
under tho laws OF the high seas, but
the meanest sailor also has certain
rights."
He was livid with passion, and 1t was
only after a great effort that he said:
~ will have you triced up and
foggod 10 DEATH Steward, put on the
irOns"
But the steward dared come no near
err. 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 10 keep his foo!
out OF II, and he replied:
"If Castle has the law, let's hear IL.
I've sailed twenty years without know
ing the rights Of a sailor, and want
no trouble in the courts"
saw captain and first mate look al
each other, and prepared myself for
a rush They were determined TO dc
for'me, and as the captain handed his
pistol TO the steward called out:
"Men, you are my witnesses hat
have not refused TO do duty or obey
necessary orders. No captain has au-
thority TO trice a man up, and he cau
be put In irons only for disobedience ol
| la0itiunafa orders II thev Law hand,