The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-09-19


He held his arm ready for a moment,
and then let it fall, seeming to realize
that he was in danger. Then it occurred
to him that he was being blufTed before
his mates, and he shouted TO 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
life" ~
''Do you know what mutiny isY' I
asked of him, as quietly as possible
''Mutiny is refusal to obey orders neces-
sary for the working of the ship. If you
kill me, you will go to trial for cold
| blooded MURDER
"W-what" he 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 be 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
medicine chest aboard, as 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.n
! 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 dozen of them signalled
to me that they would stand by.
shook my head. 1t was not a .mutiny.
/, plain Jack Tar had certain rights
which Captain Strong must respect 1t
was fight between us two. Before the
| Captain reappeared l was relieved at
| the wheel and 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. Then
| urged the crew to stand aloof and let
me fight it out alone | defined mutiny
until they understood thoroughly 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 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. He
had his pistol in his hand, and the mate
also had one, and the steward followed
them bearing several pairs of hand
| cuffs.
] al n of 20 l.
ment!" shouted the Captain, ana at the
order of the mate all moved aft, while
| the watch below came tumblng up.
When we had all assembled the Captain
/ po nted 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 spotted
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 handouts"
The steward advanced with a pair in
/ his hand, but l 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
meauest sailor also has certain rights"
He was livid with passion, and it was
only after great effort that he said:
~ will have you triced up and fogged
to death! Steward put on the irons I"
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, and he replied:
''lf Castle has the law, let's hear it.
| I've sailed twenty years without know
ing the rights of a sailor and l want no
trouble in the courts"
! saw Captain and first mate look at
each other, and prepared myself for
rush. They were determined to do for
me, and as the Captain handed his pis-
tol to the steward called out:
"Nen you are my witnesses that Ihave
not refused TO do duty or obey orders.
No Captain has right to trice a man
up, and he can be put in irons only for
disobed ience Of legitimate orders. If
they lay hands on me it is at their peril. -
They came with a rush, both were
! knocked OIL their feet inside of ten sec
! onds. The mate was satifed with that.
but the Captain came at me again, and
this time ] gave him all he wanted. Noc
a man raised hand or voice, and | gave
the brute such drubbiug that he did
not get out of his cabin again for FIVE
days. Then 1t was to signal an English
man n-ol-war. We were boarded by an
officer. l was given in charge as
mutineer and four months later was put
on trial at Liverpool l not only re-
ceived full acquital at the hands of the
| Jury, but was complimented 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 it was a seed
which could have been well planted. A
few sailors did profit by it to assert
their manhood for a time, but after a
little things went backward and became
worse than ever. To-day, despite the
romance of poets and noyelists, the
average salt water sailor IS a cringing
coward. The law gives him every right,
but he dares not stand up to a single
one. He has less personal independence
than State prison convict.
My second voyage, which had to be
made under another name, as all can
ta.ns had been warned against me. was
from Liverpool TO san Francisco, in the
bark Enchantress. Just why Captain