Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-02-22

and the captain JnOuBuO "O
not be prevented from handing a
revolver. l had just got him fixed
M when some one raped at the
door, and a voice exclaimed;
"Below, there I want word
with you!'
mwhat is it?" demanded the
captain.
"The schooner Is ours, as you,
of course, know. We don't
want your lives, You can have a
boat and start off as soon as you
please"
"But we don't propose to 60 "
"Don't get cantsnkerous, old
man. We've got the schooner, ana
We know enough to keep her. We
don't want you here. II you accept
our offer, all right. If you want to
fight it out, then look out for your
selves y
"That's what we propose to do"
replied the captain, and then all
was quiet.
crept to the head Of the com
panion stairs and heard the mutt
neers conversing in low tones, and
while sought to catch what they
said, a man ran att to the wheel
and the others began to make sail.
The calm was broken. | knew the
course they would make without
seeking a sight of the cabin COM
pass. They would head to the
west, probably for King Island,
and while between the south coast
of Australia and the north coast OF
Van Dieman's Land, stretch OF
over two hundred miles, there
would be no fear of meeting with
apy craft larger than a coaster,
owing to the numerous shoals and
shadows. The breeze came mp
lively, and the schooner went dane
ing away as lively as if all had
been at peace.
"They won't try to get at us for
time, and perhaps not until
morning." said the captain, "and
we must make ready
We first made a barricade at the
door of the main cabin, using the
sofa, table and chairs. Then we
got out and loaded FIVE muskets,
placed three cuilasses handy, and
IN addition, each had a revolver
We worked in the dark, bat we
knew where everything was to be
found. You might have looked for
the girl to break down, but there
was never a sign of it. Indeed,
she expressed a hope that the men
would not give III too soon, ana
seemed to desire an attack. When
we had done all we could, we sat
down and waited for the night to
pass away.
The schooner reeled of the miles
at a lively pace Tor the next four
hours, and morning came without
our having been disturbed. Then
sail was shortened, the craft laid to,
and, as soon as the men had had a
bite to eat, the leader summoned
us with
"Below, there ~
"Well," answered the captain.
awe will give you another chance
to leave. You can have a boat,
oars, sail, water and grub and no
one shall hinder your going"
"Suppose we refuse to 90 ?
"Then your blood be upon your
own head Rather than surrender
the schooner we'll burn her and
you with her III give you half
an hour to think it over"
We didn't want two minutes. We
we're determined not only not TO
leave the schooner, but to recap
ture her.
We expected to be attacked first
by the skyIght, but this was a
small affair, and did not com
mand but a portion OF the
cabin. And, as we afterward as
cert tanned, the only iirearm among
the mutineers was doubled bar
relied pistol, which had already
been discharged and could not Dt
reloaded for want Of ammunition
They would also batter in the door'
of the companion, but we hoped tC
hold them at the barrlcade. They
could not come at us by way OF th'
hold, for that was full. We got
bite to eat from the pantry, had
glass of wine aud by that tim'
we're hailed for our answer. Th'
captain replied that he would no
90. and defied them to do thei
worst. We heard them movln
softly about, and at her own re
quest Jess was allowed to pull
away a portion of the barIlcad'
and creep up the stairs to listen
while the captain and 1 stood Wit
our guns ready to repulse any at
tack by the skylight. Jess was re
turning to report when batterlnI
ram drove IN the doors hardly a.
arms length away, and the me
who had welded the spar raj sed
yell at sight of her. Not Que pei
son in ten thousand, man or woman
would have done as she did. In
stead OF springing over the barr
cade, she levelled her revolver an
I shot one OF the men, the leader
a