, 1889-02-14
STORY OF A MUTiNY.


schooner Jessie. Captain Martin. plying
regularly between Sydney, New South
Wales, and Hobarttown, Van Dieman's
Land. We had O trim craft, easily ham
died, and our crew never exceeded six
men. There was no second mate, and the
captain stood his own watch. A year be.
fore engaged with her she had been cap
tured BY convicts from the penal settie-
ment and when recovered, after two or
three days, she had been supplied with an
arsenal.
The trip which gave rise TO the incidents
| am about to relate brought the captains
daughter on board for the first time she
having been away to school for couple Of
years. The schooner was named after her,
and it vessel could feel proud of anything.
then the Jessie would have been puffed up
over the good looks of the girl whose name
she bore. Miss Martin was typical
English girl. and just as handsome as
the best OF them She was then 10 years
old, in the best Of health and spirits, and
1t was as good a. medicine for sick per.
son to hear her sing and laugh. AS
our voyages were short and safe, we had
been able to keep the same crew for a long
time. but on this trip we were all broken
up. Two OF the old men had been taken
i'll while we were loading, third had
mysteriously absented himself and on the
day we we're to sail the cook walked
ashore in huff. There was no trouble,
however, in filing the four vacancies.
Indeed they we're applied for as soon as
vacated. The cook was another colored
man with good recommendation, while
the three sailors were English speaking
and of English nativity.
When crew is sent from shipping
office. the master must not find fault with
their personal appearance. II they are
what they Claim to be, that must satisfy
him, no matter II the whole lot are bow.
legged, cross.eyed, bald headed and hump.
backed. 1t Is the same when the mate
engages men at the wharf IL they satisfy
him that they are sailors, he does not find
fault with their looks. The three sailor
men engaged for the trip were hard
trusted them not to rob me. but took
them just the same. At sea they would
have their stations and their orders, and
the discipline Of a vessel discouragps all
exhibitions of impudence toward officers.
Our crew was now composed of SIX sailors,
captain, mate and cook. and the girl Jess
brought the number on board up to ten.
IL Is a ran of over 800 miles almost due
south from Sydney to Hobartov n. but uu-
til passing Cape Howe we had the coast
IN view, and knew where shelter could he
u
Cheerfully to work, the weather favored
us, and for three days everything went as
smoothly as you please. had two of the
old men and one of the new in my watch,
and on the fourth night, as we Just held
steeraReway during my watch, the man at
the wheel, whose name was Needham,
and who had been with us several voy-
ages fused around for u time, and finally
said:
"Mr Loring, I'd like to speak with you
about matter"
Very we'll; what is 1t ~"
~ don't like then, new men, SIR"
For what reason 2"
They've uot their heads together too
often. sir. and they We talked to Bill and
Tom, my old mates, until they've quite
upset them"
about what?"
well, sir, about pirates and islands
and treasure and such stuff. didn't take
to 'em, and they didn't take to me, ana
80 they don't trust me, but can't help
but think there's something wrong in the
wind"
wasn't startled-pot even worried.
Sailors are always talking such nonsense
among themselves, and aboard of every
craft there IL always u tale-bearer who
wants to curry favors. Needham was dis
tant and peculiar as had heard the men
say, and that is why the trio had not taken
to him. thought the matter over for
some time and then thanked the man for
his Information and asked bin, to keep his
eyes open. Wehad light breeze all night,
and ON the morning of the sixth day were
below the cape. Then the wind died out
fiat and dead, and all day long we hadn't
sufficient to ruffle a feather. / had been
watching the new men closely since Need
ham stated bis suspicious, but not thing
could discover to confirm his statements
They were cheerful, prompt and respectful,
and quite dismissed any thought of con-
spiracy. II Needham had heard or seen
anything further he had not reported 1t,
although invited to do so.
The captains trick that night was from
8 to IL. At 8 o'clock was asleep in my
berth, the captain was lounRing and
smoking, and Jess was in the cabin after
some articles of clothing. There was no
wind yet, while the night was soft and
STARLIGHT. There was man ut the wheel
but this was mere forms sake, he having
nothing to do. All of sudden, as the
captain paced the quarter. some one in the
scramble and q rush, followed by q splash
and choking voice from the water
RaspeJ out:
Its mutiny, captain, look out!"
II was the voice of Needham, who had
been stabbed and aung overheard.
Next momeut the captain saw every
other man before ths mast advancing aft
armed with capstan bars and Delaying
pins. The negro cook was with them, and
the old man was not long in realizing
that something worse than mutiny was on.
Instead of ordering, or arguing. or
waiting for explanations, he leaped down
into the cabin and bolted the heavy door
behind him. | had heard the row, and
was now dressed. and so it came TO pass