The Dickinson press., 1889-09-28
breeze holds we should be tomorrow noon in
latitude S dess. north, longitude ITO dcgs.

wv S.
the sun and proved our reckoning. BY my
calculations it will be n run of about twenty
one hundred and forty miles to Calloo, and,
steering by the wind along the equator, we
ought with fair luck to make the port inside
of twenty days. Tho winds are southerly ut
this season, and we may sail free nil tho
way"
Mr.. Herbert spoke with freedom to his
superior officer, but he had sailed years with
Capt. ConycrS, who greatly relied on him,
a:il who in this emergency had sought his
adv ice.
We'll, | suppose it m,At be So" said Capt.
Cnnycrs with something like n sigh. II don't
know what the owners will think to have us
g out of our course like this"
at ca!.'t be lclpc,l,' said Mr.. Herbert.
And now | propose another thing, captain,
if you'll sanction it. And that is to recap
ture this ship. think we've been the sport
of a lot of bcachcoinbers long enough, and /
should like to get into authority again, il
only for half an houH, just to see how it
would seem. | have a plan by which l think
We can put those fellows down and keep
them under until we can set them ashore"
Come to my room to talk, where we'll DO
out of the hearing of the man at the wheel, -
said Capt. Conyers, ncrvously.
They entered the cabin and there cnsucd
between them n long conversation of an argu-
mcntativc character, in which objections
raised by the captain We're successfully done
away with by the confident and energetic
representations Of Mr.. Herbert, so that
finally tho captain, rising, said in a tone of
resignation, "Wcll, We'll try it."
The force that might he countel on in sup
port of the lawful authorities of the ship was
seven i'll numiner, being the captain, first,
second and third mates, the carpenter, stew
ard and cook. The element opposed was
twenty-eight i'll number, but of these several
OF the nble seamen were not pleased with
their associates and appreciated the dangers
of their position; these men were neutral
factors who would not resist, nor could they
be counted on to assist the officers in the
event of Il mutiny of the crew.
Mr.. Herbert took nnn" Of the other officers
into his confidence until the next day at noon.
Then while they were ut their dinners they
were briefly told what was expected of them
and given their Instructions what to do.
They all entered most heartily into his
plans. y little after two bells in the after
noon Mr.. Herbert left the cabin and walked
forward among the men. There he saw n
sight which, at that time of day, has rarely
been paralleled on n merchant ship sailing on
the high seas. There was no work going on
fore or aft, but the entire crew, save the man
at tho wheel, wero lounging at their ease.
Some were sitting on deck ut cards, others
were lying i'll their bertlls smoking, and
others again were sitting on the bits or lean
ing against the rail INDUCING i'll CONVERSE
ton which was plentifully mixed with oaths
and obsccnity.
AS Mr.. Herbert came among them they
glanced at him with c~ontemptuous indifrer-
ence and went on with their occupations.
But his face was very serious, and his voice
was so impressive that they were compelled
to listen with attention as lie spoke.
"Boys, there's danger ahead. The old
mans been looking at his glass, and he says
we're going to have one of tho worst kind Of
storms and it'll strike the ship right away.
Now, boys, all hands turn up aloft and furl
the sails. Wc'rc in the squally ATTITUDES now,
remember, and we'll go to tho bottom in u
hurry if Il cyclone catches us with our canvas
spread"
Tho men looked from one to the other, not
much liking the prospect held out by Mr..
Herbert, either of the work or the storm,
Presently one of their number dropped his
cards and got up from the deck, saying:
"Well, boys, l guess we'd better do us he
says. Thcrcll DO time afterwards to finish
our game"
So one by ono they quilted the rail, got up
from the deck or rolled out of their hunks,
and slouchcd i'll an independent manner to
tho places assigned them. By tho time the
Glow lines and buntlincs had been hauled and
Delayed tho entire crew had turned to, aud
were then all sent up to furl tho sails on the
nainmast.
They clambered up the rigging, awkward
ly enough tho most of them, but in time they
were all aloft, strung out along the yards,
Juggling away at tho anvas and working
still harder to save themselves from falling.
AS they fumbled at the sails directed from
the deck by tho second and third mates, Mr..
Herbert, the carpenter and the cook met by
%preconccrt at the forecastle, which they at
once entered.
The carpenter carried u lnallet and chisel
and the cook n gunny sack. Tho carpenter
proceeded actively to pry open every chest,
each of which was expcditiously searched by
Mr.. Herbert and tho weapons contained
therein transferred to tho bag held by tho
cook.
Every bunk and mattress was thoroughly
examined with the same intent, u thorough
inspection made of the topgallant forecastle,
and then the three came aft, carrying with
them as booty sixteen revolvcrs, eleven
knives, eight slung shots and billies and an
assortment of burglars tools. These were
deposited in the cabin, after which the ships
officers were one by one called in before the
captain and mate to make certain prepare
tons and to receive further instructions.
One by one they returned to the deck and
took their stations unnoticed by the men
aloft.
When these preliminarics had been COM
plated, Mr.. Herbert walked toward the foot
of the mainmast. The expression of disgust
ana worriment which his face had borne for
q fortnight past had given place to a look Of
intense satisfaction. He stepped smartly, his
tones were quick and his whole presence
bristled with electricity. Looking up, he
shouted in stentorian tones:
"Aloft, there! All hands loose sail!"
AT an order so unexpected the men stopped
the work Of furling and looked at one an
other.
"What does the fool meanT, said one man,
and then those who could steady themselves
looked down. The ships officers and the
steward and cook were ondeck, each wearing
a pair of revolvers. Mr.. Herbert and the
third mate stood at the weather, and the Sec
ond mate and carpenter Mt the lee main
shrouds, and a handspike leaned against the
rail by the side of each. The captain, hanked
by the steward and cook, stood on the poop,
whence they commanded with their weapons
the main deck and rigging.
Come, be lively there!" shouted Mr.. Her
bert, sternly; throw these gaskets loose!'
One or two old sailors, from a mechanical
habit Of obedience, began to unite the gas
kets SO lately fastened; the rest of the men
consulted together hurriedly. Their DELHI
e%rations were cut short by the rage and fury
of one big fellow, their ringleader, who,
crowding past the rest on the main yard,
shouted:
Come on, boys! We may as well lave it
out with them, once for ALL"
Yes, come on, you r~ascals, end have it
out" Numbered Mr.. Herbert. 1.-THE storm
the captain told about has got along and it's
right here on deck waiting for you. The
man that leaves the rigging without orders
will run straight into it,"
The ringleader began to descend the weather
%ratlines, and nearly all the men in the rigging
started to follow him. Those in the lower