Wichita eagle., 1888-08-14
POOR JACK.

When got nv rating IS able seaman l
could have navig2ted a ship TO any part Of
tie world l did not enter upon the cocupa-
E-m through force Of circumstances, but be-
cause loved the sea. | had fair edUca-
ton, steady habits, and served my time with
e. uncle who was q splendid sailor and s
God fearing man. l should have been his
mate after receiving ny rating, but ne died
while we wers loading ship, aud the owners
kept me ashore for couple OF months to
look over the papers and fx up accounts
Than could have had 3 berth as mate, but a
strange notion had come over me. Several
captains had been hauled gp for abusing their
nlen, and had been present at the trials.
NJ indignation was aroused by the gto-
ries told by the men, and, encouraged by
bali dozen philaEshrCpists, l determined to
become a sailors champion It was very
silly, now admit, but at that time / earn
estly believed it was my mission. L was
Eily for one nsn TO hope to work a revolu-
ton Had a hundred champions set out and
been backed by owners and courts, some
thing good might lave come Of it.
by first step was 70 procure the marine
laws OF every country, with al the rules and
regulations bearing upon sailors rights. /
was very particular in securing definitions Of
the term Elutiny. and il reading laws con-
corning the rights Of sailors, 10 be quoted u
length before consuls il foreign ports, had
the help Of a lawyer in this work, and ne
gave me many hints OF value When I wes
loaded and prirned I slowed 500 in cash N
Ey pocket and shipped aboard the brig Ad-
venture, bound from Liverpool to the West
Indies. This ship had been recommended to
ne as a good one to begin on, as the captain
had been arrested several times for cruelty,
but always escaped conviction through ths
influence Of the owners and the periured
testimony Of tie mates, vas now % years
Of age, 5 fest II inches tall, weighed l60
pounds and was afraid Of no call On ship
board | WIS stout IS bull, q good
boxer and wrestler, and had never
seen q days sickness. As l tumbIed
aboard the Adventure with half a
dozan other sailors, was determined
to GO my full duty IS far as possible,
and 10 obey all rules and regulations 20 the
fullest extent Before We were fairly under
way saw that we were to have floating
hell The captain was hard drinker and
brute, and the mates delighted 20 curse and
abuse. Aboard Of my VncleS ship sailors
were treated Ike men, and drink and pro
L
the change, however, and let nothing aston
ish me. exhibited my activity and wiling
ness in getting away, and before the watches
were set 1t must have been patent to the
officers that I WIS thorough seaman. This
should have counted in my favor. and it did
for a little while. There IS always a leader
in every crew. Ee not only governs the fore
castle. but he sets the pace Of the men, es0e-
h..
willing, the men VII pattern after him to a
certain extent. II ne IS = GROWER and
laggard, his disposition VIII affect all. By
tacit consent I was made leader, and. to the
great surprise Of some Of the old sailors, I
informed them thai had come aboard TO do
my full duty IN a cheerful manner, and that
wanted no growing OF Sinking This gave
them the pace, and Jet it got me into trouble.
The officers could find 10 excuse For abusing
the crew, and were evidently troubled over
it. Ga she third day cut, as I was taxing
my trick az the wheel, I noticed that both
captain and first uate we're in ugly mood,
having been drinking too much There was
not the slightest excuse for grumbing. We
had fair wind, every sail was drawing, and
everything below and aloft was tidy and
shiuShape. The watch on deck were al busy,
and l wondered what excuse the captain
coGld invent for making . break. Il was
evident that he was fishing for one, and tho
mate was tryigg % help hin. By and by,
sfUer looking aloft, he reared out:
Mr. Morton, what id lubber have you
got at the waeelt H is three points of her
corrssI
It's Castle, sir, d-n his eyes!7 replied
the mate
The captain turned and approached the .
wheel, while tho Inaee, knowing that row
was coming, skUIked forward was steer
i1E rs fine as SIX, aud SIS the captain looked
into the pinnacle be had to admit it TO him
SELF. This doubtless added fuel TO his anger,
for sitter minute he growted out:
Blast you fer lubber, but how dared
you sip aboard rs an able seaman
Because 1 an one, SIR 1 quietly an
swered
"Oh, you are, ehl Perhaps you are navi- .
gator aISol' Is sneered
Il can take this ship cut and back, SIR I .
answered
''Ths-the-h-u you canf' he Kissed after
s moment If you are a navigator, VIVA.
are YOU doing forward among the menF'
Il shipped as an able seaman, sir, because
no other berth was open at the time"
You are = clssed Ear!' shouted the en-
"a Sed man. ~ on came aboard to show OF
your s-nartness and make trouble. I've had
IN eye % you, d-n you, and I'm going TO
work UP your cid iron
Re drew back TO strike ne, and looked
him far II the eyes and said:
Capt Strong, If you strike ne I shall
defend ClySeIG7
He held his arm ready for moment, and
then let Il fall, seeming 20 realize that he
vas II danger. Then it occurred to him that
be was beng blulfed before his mates. and
Be shouted 70 the steward 70 bring up his
pistol The weapon was soon handed him,
knd lie cooked i AID turned to me with:
Now, then, you raUsinous dog, get down
na YOUR knees and beg for your life"
''Do you know what uutiay isf' l asked
IF him, Is quietly Is possible "Mutiny IS
refusal - ooey orders necessary for the work
ng Of the snip. II yoU XII re you viii so
. trial for cold blooded murder"
"W-whatF' n glsped
And leS me tel you something more. Can't
strong. You and s4e mate are the worse fo-
iauor. as the whole crew can TESTIFY. Your
Lenses can be revoked for this This morn
az yog refused medicine 10 Brace, WHO In
lEferinE with cholera UlorbuS l can have
-ou fined or suspended for that Have you .
chest aboard, as required by lawi
%. There Il & fine or SUSPENSION for that
7 co hass Threatened ny lie without ec-use,
5 even Your mates uCss testify, and / can
make you stand TRIAL fer It.
| said ali this ii low voice, and hooked
i'm full n the face. while | kept tie brig ca
Ier COURSE lis fsce grew the color OF liver
I'd then as white as SNOW. He stood hold