The Washington critic., 1889-01-26
STORY OF A MUTINY.

schooner Jessie, Captain Martin, PLYING
regularly between Sydney New South
wales. and Hobarttown, Van Dieman'.
Land. We had trim craft, easily
handled, and our crew never exceeded
six men. There was no second mate and
the captain stood his own watch A yea,
before engaged with her she had been
captured by convicts from the penal set.
tlement, and when recovered. after two
or three days, she had been supplied
with an arsenal.
The trip which gave rise TO the Incl.
dents am about to relate brought the
captains daughter on board for the first
time, she having been away to school for
a couple Of years. The schooner was
named after her, and if vessel could
feel proud of anything, then the Jessia
would have been puffod up over the good
looks OF the girl whose name she bore
Miss Martin was a typical English girl.
ana Just as handsome as the best of
them. She was then 10 years old, in the
pest OF health and spirits, and Il was as
good as medicine for sick person to
hear her sing and laugh. As our VOYAGES
were short and safe we had been able 10
keep the same crew for 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 mvsteri-
ously absented himself, and on the day
we were to sail the cook walked ashore
In hun There was no trouble. how.
ever, IN filling the four vacancies. In.
deed, they were applied for as soon as
vacated. The cook was another colored
man with good recommendation, while
the three sailors were Notwithstanding
and Of English nativity.
When n crew is sent from shining
Office, the master must not find fault with
their personal appearance. If they arc
what they claim to be, that must satisfy
him, no matter II the whole lot arc bow
legged, cross-eyed, bald d-headcd and
hump-backec. 1t is the same when the
mate engages men at the wharf. If 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-looking fellows, and |
would not have trusted them not to rob
me, but l took them just the same. At
sea they would have their stations and
their orders, and the discipline of a YES.
sci discourages all exhibitions of impu.
dence towards 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.
Tits a run of over 800 miles, almost
due south from Sydney to Hobarttown,
but until passing Cape Howe we had the
coast in view, and knew where shelter
could be had in case OF storm. Our
crew went 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 steerageway
during my watch, the man at the wheel. |
whose name was Needham, and who had |
been with us several voyages, fused
around for time, and finally said:
Mr.. Loring I'd like to speak with
you about a NATTER
Very well; what is it?'
Il don't like them new men, SIR
For what reason ?"
They've got their heads together too |
often, sir, and they've talked to Bill and |
Tom, my old mates, until they've quite |
upset them.
About what?"
well, sir, about pirates and islands
ana treasure and such stuff. | didn't |
take to 'em, and they didn't take to me,
and so they don't trust me, but can't
help but think there's something wrong
in the wind"
| wasn't startled-not even worried. |
sailors are always talking such nonsense
among themselves, and aboard of every
craft there is always q tale bearer who
wants to curry favors. Needham was
distant and peculiar, as had heard the
men say, and that was why the trio had
not taken to him. thought the matter
bn, tl
man Tor his information and asked him
to keep his eyes open. We had light
breeze all night and the next day was
very mild. We got a stiff breeze from
noon to midnight, and on the morn.
Ing OF the sixth day were be-
low the cape, Then tile wind died
out fiat and dead, and all day long we
hadn't sufficient to ruffie feather.
had been Watching the new men closely
since Needham stated his suspicious, but
not thing could discover to confirm
his statements. They were cheerful,
prompt and respectful, and / quite dis.
missed any thought of conspiracy. If
Needham had heard or seen ANYTHING
further he had not reported it, although
invited to do so.
The captains trick that night was
rom to IL, AT nine O'clock | was
isleep in my berth, the captain was loung-
ng and smoking, and Jess was in the
,abin after some article of clothing.
There was no wind yet, while the night
vas soft and starlight. There was man !
It the wheel, but this was mere form's
AXE, he having nothing to do. All of a !
udden, as the captain paced the quarter,
ome one In the fo'castle shouted 'Mur-
ierF There was scrambling and n
ush, followed by splash, and chok- :
ng voice from the water cried out J
ITS mutiny, captain, look outp' !
1t was the voice of Needham, who had
'een stabbed and flung overheard. ,
Next moment the captain saw every !.
ther man before the mast advancing aft
rmed with capstan bars and behaving =
Inns. The negro cook was with them, Z
nd the old man was not long in real !
ling that something worse than mutiny !
'as on. Instead of ordering, or arguing, Y
waiting for explanations. he leaped u
own into the cabin and bolted the a
eavy doors behind him. l had heard b
he row, and was now dressed, and SO IL :
anne to pass that the captain, Jess, and
iyself were together aft, and all made
risoners at once. ''It's mutiny, Mr.
oring " shouted the captain as I en-.
,red the main cabin, "Arm yourself
nd we'll teach the rascals lesson not
} be forgotten
Ia ha1 ,a1.. \