Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-02-28

me, and so they don't trust me, but I
can't help but think there's something
wrong in the wind"
! wasn't startled-not even worried.
Sailors are always talking such nom
sense among themselves, and aboard
OF every craft thssfe is always tale
carer who wants to curry favors.
Needham was distant and peculiar, as
l had heard the men say, and that was
why the trio had not taken to him. l
thought the matter over for some time,
and then thanked the man for his in
formation and asked him to keep his
eyes open. We had a light breeze all
night, and the next day was very mild.
We got stiff breeze from noon to mid
night, and on the morning of the sixth
day were below the cape. Then the
wind died out fat and dead, and all day
long we hadn't sufficient to ruff1e a
feather. had been watching the new
men closely since. Needham stated his
suspicious, but not a thing could dis
cover to confirm his statements. They
were cheerful, prompt and respectful,
and l quite dismissed any thought OF
conspiracy. If Needham had heard or
seen any thing further he had not re-
ported it. although invited to do so.
The captains trick that night was
from eight 10 twelve o'clock. At nine
o'clock was asleep in my berth, the
captain was Longing and smoking.
and Jess was in the cabin after some
article Of clothing. There was no
wind yet, while the night was soft
and starlight There was a man at
the wheel, but this was mere forms
sake, he having nothing to do. All of
a sudden. as the captain paced the
quarter, some one in the fo'castle
shouted "Murder!'' There was a
scramble and rush, followed by a
splash, and choking voice from the
water gasped out:
"It's mutiny, captain, look out!''
1t was the voice of Needham. who
had been stabbed and flung overheard.
Next moment the captain saw every
other man before the mast advancing
aft armed with capstan bars and Delay
ing 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 explana-
tons, he leaped down into the cabin
and bolted the heavy doors behind
him. 1had heard the row, and was
now dressed, and so it came to pass
that the captain, Jess and myself were
together aft, and all made prisoners
at once ats mutiny, Mr.. Loringr'
shouted the captain as 1 entered the
main cabin. ''Arm yourself and we'll
teach the rascals lesson not to be for
gotten!"
He had scarcely ceased speaking
when a bullet struck him in the right
shoulder, and a shot fired at me grazed
my head. One of the mutineers had
fired through the open sky-light. The
captain staggered to the sofa, and in
jiffy l had the lights out Then l
pulled the heavy sash down and Sc
cured it. and we were safe for the mo-
ment. 1t needed no explanation to sat-
isfy me of what had happened. The
crew had seized the schooner and Need
ham had been murdered because he
would not join the conspiracy. had
a revolver. and started for the deck,
but the captain stopped me.
''Come back, Mr.. Loring. You have
no show! They would kill you before
you get on deck!''
''But we must get the schooner
backr' l said.
Certainly; but we can't do it by
throwing our lives away. We are safe |
for the present Help me off with my |
coat and attend to this wound. Jess,
you take my revolver and stand in the |
to g uard the doors"
l got at the wound as soon and as
as l could. and was rejoiced
to find that the bullet had struck the
bone and glanced off. Indeed. it fell
out OF the flesh as / washed away the
blood. 1t was thus painful but not
dangerous wound. l soon had it at
tended to. and the captain thought he
would not be prevented from handling
a revolver. l had just got him fixed
up when some one raped at the doors.
and voice exclaimed:
'Below, there! want word with
your
What is it," demanded the captain.
''The schooner is ours, as you, of
know. We don't want your
ives. You can have a boat and start
of as soon as you please"
But We don't propose to go!'
Don't get cantankerous, old man.
We've got the schooner, and we know
enough to keepit We don't want you
,ere If you accept our offer, all
light If you want to fight it out, then
ook out for yourselvesr'
That's what We propose to do" re-
11Iad tho M ~ 1