The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-14

common raw oysters on ice and not on
the half she'll
The captain frowned.
n thought you ordered oysters on the
shell" he said.
I'VE generally do. But this time We
neglected to have them that way. al
though, they are perfectly good"
Still sailor is accustomed to having
them OH the half shell. and, Of course.
we must expect some growing whei
they are not. Order the men aft"
The men came sul'anly aft, and anv
one at all practiced in their ways could
see in a moment thai .here was going tc
be trouble.
Now. them" cried the captain, .swah
off the decks. will your"
Not man moved.
Whats this:" cried the captain
angriy. This is rank mutiny."
Not So" said Marston Ingram.
stepping airily forward and making a
low bow Not SO, captain. We are
merely on strike"
''On strike" shouted the captain, ION
strike. Why. what's strike at sea but
a mutinv?
Perhaps they are somewhat similar"
said Ingram, speaking with great defer
ence. 1T is legal point that we, as
members of the Seaman's union, desire
10 have settled We call it a strike.
You can call it mutiny if you wish.
We simply assert our rights as working
men not to work You can hire others
if you choose. We respect the law too
much to interfere"
How in thunder can | hire anybody
out here in the middle of the lake,
All! that is your affair, not ours"
The captain and the mate retired to
the cabin to consult on the novel situa-
ton. Ii the trouble was simply strike
they would have to succumb If it was
mutiny. then it would be their duty to
string up the half dozen men at the yard
arms. The mate was certain that this
was the thing to. do in all respectable
mutinies. although he believed that in
some such cases it was fashionable 70
make the men walk the plank The cap
tain said '.pshaw." and held that that
was only done by pirates. After discuss
ing the matter for some time they
agreed that the fuss was really full
grown mutiny. and they proceeded on
deck to do their duty in hanging the
men.
AS the two officers appeared on deck
Mr.. Ingram moved respectfully forward
to meet them, the of the crew stay
.ngi in the background
''Mr Ingram" began the captain. Il
presume that you arc aware of the fact
that on shipboard the captains word is
law
Il will admit that for the sake of ar
gument, but without prejudice.
Very well. then. the captain says. or
in other words, the law is, that this is a
mutiny 1t will. therefore. be my pain
full duty to hang you and the other five
gentlemen who compose the crew unless
you at once cease your mutinous con
duct"
j Marston Ingram bowed low and
answered:
Il will present your decision to my
comrades and inform you of their reply
After a short conference MIR. Ingram
turned to the captain and said:
Il beg to state respectfully that the
men refuse to accept your decision. and
also refuse 10 be hanged.
"Refuse!' cried the captain "Oh. this
is mutiny- thought SO before. but now
am sure of it, However, am willing
TO make any reasonable concession. If
they prefer 10 walk the plank to being
hanged | will accommodate them
THE impression gathered from their
conversation was that it was not so much
the method they objected to as to the re-
suit. However, shall be pleased to sub
nit your alternative to them"
He again turned to the men. and the
discussion this time was a longer one
Finally he came back and addressed the
captain:
''As thought, the men refuse also the
alternative. They are. however. willing
to admit that this is a mutiny on one
condition
What is that:s asked the captain.
THAT is that they carry it out as mu-
tiny. They leave it for you to decide
whether it is a mutiny or simple strike
II you decide that it is strike. things
will go on as they are until one side or
the other comes to terms. If you decide
that it is mutiny. then they will act a.
il it were mutiny They viii proceed
a, once to tie both yourself and the mate
up in hard knot. and they will then
drop you overheard. We will withdraw
for few moments to await your decis-
ion.r
They did not have long to wait The
captain came forward and said:
Il have carefully considered the ques-
ton in all its bearings and taken note OF
several points that before escaped my at
tention. | now decide that this Is
strike"
A rousing. hearty. honest. nautical
cheer went up as this judgment was rem
dered.
Il am glad" said Mr. Ingram. .'thai
so wise and just decision was made
1t will relieve you of the disagreeablt
duty of hanging US, and you will also
escape the trouble of arranging any
technical difficulties that are almost sure
to arise when two men attempt to exc
cute six Now. suppose. as this Is .
simple strike. and | believe it is the firsi
that has ever arisen on board a ship. you
will have no objection to submit the mat
ter to arbitration.
None in the least. replied the cap
tain
As you are so good as to agree to thi>
it becomes US to make like concessions
We will give vnss szarv ed=cxtaa<