The Globe-republican., 1890-04-09

the sun or figure up or get our latitude
and longitude, can see chart as wei
as any one, and the log will tell us how
far we have run. We know that all the
islands are to the northeast. Every
one is down on the chart. Beyond then
is the Atlantic. The island am after
is not down on the chart. 1t is north
east of Trinidad, and may be two hun
dred miles away.
"Don't Miner know?" asked the
other.
''Never heard of it, but this is his frs,
trip this way"
SIS he agreed?"
Certain. He is to be first, you sec
ond."
But all are to live alike?"
Correct. We are just officers in name
We all eat in the cabin, sleep where we
| please, and share and share alike. No
body is to set hisself up as better than
anybody else"
That's fair. And the captain and
mate are to go?''
'Of course"
! "Well. we'll have it all understood,
and the man who gives it away diesv'
''I'll warrant you that cut his throat
| with my own hands,
The men presently went about their
| business, but l made the pretense of
sleeping soundly until called to relieve
the other watch. was all in tremble
at what had heard, and was also all at
sea as to what course l should pursue.
While it seemed the proper way for me
| to go to the captain or mate with my in
formation, the reader must not overlook
the difficulties in the way. l should
have no opportunity to speak with Mr..
Parker, during the watch, and
how was l to get below to inter-
view him or the captain without
being seen? Had only part of the
men been in the conspiracy I might
have succeeded very well, but as it was.
all eyes would watch me. They had not
taken me into the plan because l was
only boy and of no account, but if they
had any suspicion that had picked up
information they would watch me close
ly enough. planned dozen different
ways to reach the captain or mate, and
that l did not put the latter on his
guard was his own fault. One night
during our watch he called to me to
bring him something from his state
room. Bob and his friends were for
ward at the heel of the bowsprit, and as
l came out of the cabin Mr.. Parker was
at the water cask. AS I reached him l
whispered:
81 should like very much to speak to
you or the captain. SIR
IF you don't get forward I'll speak to
you in way you'll remember for year
to Gomez he growled in reply.
No doubt he imagined that had some
complaint to make; but had he permit
ted me to speak the words it might
have prevented the tragedy which fol-
lowed. His rebuff discouraged me from
approaching him again. or from seeking
opportunity to speak to the captain,
and from that night ON felt quite posi-
tive that some of the men were ALWAYS
watching me.
We had favoring winds and fair pas
sage up the Caribbean Sea, and one
night heard Mr.. Parker say to the cap
tain. as that official was about to leave
the deck, that Trinidad would be on our
starboard quarter by daylight. We were
not to call there, but round the island
and head to the southeast. This was
soon after twelve o'clock and shortly af-
ter my watch had come on deck. 1t was
a fine starlight night, with a five-knot
breeze, and there was little work for the
watch to do. l was at the wheel, for l
could take my trick in fine weather with
any Of them. About one o'clock Bristol
Bob. who was in his bare feet, came aft
to the foremast and sang out though
not over loud, and in a very respectful
voice:
Mr.. Parker. the brig seems to have
picked up lot of floating wreck stuff
acrose her bows. Will you please come
forward?"
The mate growled out something and
disappeared from my view Five min
utes later Bob and the entire
remainder of the crew came aft
in body, all in their bare feet. I
couldn't make out yet what was going
on. and Bob took the wheel from me and
said:
Boy, run down and tell the captain
that Mr.. Parker has been took very sick
on his watch"
Some of the men chuckled a bit over
this speech, and then mistrusted that
the mate had been killed. On the in
slant l made up my mind to warn the
captain. 1 found him sound asleep, but
half dressed. and as soon as he was on
his feet told him what had overheard
in the fo'castle. and what l suspected
had just occurred on deck. It was won
derful how coolly he took the exciting
news.
''Are you sure both watches arc on
deck?' he asked.
"Yes, SIR"
And the men have come aft in q
body?'
''Yes, SIR
SIS Mr.. Miner with them?'
81 am sure saw nim."
''And Mr.. Parker is nowhere 70 be
SEEM"
mo, SIR"
Then fear you are right. Go and |
bolt the doors Of the companionway for |
ma vhi1a 7 no& NV nistOle