Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07

found on the LADY jane came by their
end.
The crew, now reduced to less than a
score, were sorely discouraged by this
change for the worse. Sick of disappoint-
ed hope, they became desperate and de-
moralized; the bonds of discipline were
loosened, and Bucklow could hardly pre-
vail on them to work the ship.
And no wonder Let the reader imag-
inc, if he can, what his own feelings would
be if he were shut up in a house where 8
deadly and frightfully contagious disease
was rife, where people were dying every
day, and from which there was no posi-
bility of escape.
ave shall have trouble" sai{ Bucklow;
''the men are in a very evil humor. l
doubt if I shall ever get this ship to Monte
yideo. However, l viii try my best, and
more than that can no D1an do"
He kept the deck almost continually,
and when he turned in for an hours sleep,
Bolsover (yho now acted as mate) took the
command. These two were the only Off
GERS left alive, and it was no longer posi-
BILE to arrange the watches in the regular
way. We had TO do as well as we could,
and gave all the help in my power, which
was not much, fear for am no seaman.
But could keep them company, and now
and then I took turn at the wheel, for,
short-hauded as we were becoming, ability
to steer might stand rs in good stead.
Twas getting up one morning rather
past my usual time, for I had turned in
late the night before, when Bucklow came
to me in state of suppressed excitement
81 want you on deck" he said. There
is going to be a row. The men have got to
the spirits, and are nearly all drunk and
getting obstreperous-won't obey orders.
The wind is fresnening, too, and unless we
take in sail we shall be in a mess"
I made haste with my dressing, and fol-
lowed him on deck forthwith, first putting
s revolver in my trousers pocket, by way
of being ready for all emergencies.
Except the quarter-master at the wheel
and a Swede, called Oscar, decent, God
foorin" mo- were in the
waist of the ship. They had preached a
cask of rum, and We're nearly all more or
less drunk. Bucklow and Bolsover were
demonstrating with them, and trying to
persuade them to return to their duty and
do as tn were bid.
The answer was a laugh of defiance and
q torrent of abuse.
"We'u work no more on this ship"
shouted one fellow. LET her go to the
bottom, and be id to her"
Come, come men, be reasonable" re-
monstrated Bucklow. st is very rough
on you, know: it is rough on all of us.
But this sort of thing will do no good.
The more you drink, the more likely you
are to die
"That's what we want. We want to
die" hiccoughed a sailor, filing himself
glass of rum. ''What's the use of hvingi
Tell me that: What's the use OF living on
a fever ship like this 'ere? Better die of
drink than be killed by Yellow Jack.
Here gOes''-tOssing off the glass. 81 swear
Pill never be sober againl I'll die drunk
Hip, nip, hurrahp'
81 say, cap'n-yOu calls yourself cap'n,
don't your" said another coming close up
to Bucklow-''you just sheer off and leave
US alone, or it'll be worse for you. We are
the masters of this 'ere ship, and we mean
to do what we id liker'
The words were hardly out of the fell
lows mouth when Bucklow knocked him
down, and then, with gesture of anger
and disgust, the mate turned on his heel,
which he had no sooner done than one OF
the cowardly scoundrels, who had crept
behind him unperceived, struck him a ter
ribIe blow on the head with a belaying-pin.
| But he was quickly avenged.
AS Bucklow reeled and fell, / drew my
revolver and shot his assailant dead. Then,
pointing the still smoking weapon at the
others, babe them throw the cask of rum
overheard.