West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-04-03

second
''But all are to live alikei"
Correct. We are Just officers in
name. We all cat in the cabin, sleep
where We please, and share aud share
alike, Nobody is to set hiSself up as
better thar anybody else.
hThat's fair. And tho Captain and
mate are TO got"
"Of course.
"well, Wen have Il all understood,
aud the man who gives IL away dics,'
'1'll warrant you that III cut his throat
with my own handsN
The men presently went about their
business, but | made the prctenso OF
sleeping soundly until rallied 20 relieve
the other watch. | WAS all in a trcmblc
at what had heard. aud was also all nj
sea rs 20 what course l should pursue.
Whilst It seemed the proper way for me
TO 20 TO the Captain or mato with my ins
formation, the reader must not overlook
the difficulties in the way. should have
no opportunity TO speak with Mr. Parker
during the watch, and how was | 20 get
below to interview him or the Captain
without being scent Had only part of
the men been in the conspiracy | might
have succeeded Very well, but as
It was all eyes would watch me. They
had not taken me into the plan because
was only boy and OF no account, but
II they had any suspicion that had
picked mp information they would watch
me closely enough. | planned dozen
different ways TO reach the Captain OF
mate, aud that did not put the latter ON
his guard was his own fault One night
during our watch he called TO me 10 bring
him something from his stateroom, Bob
and his friends were forward at the heel
of the bowspait, and as came out Of the
cabin Mr.. Parker was at the water cask
As | reached him / whispered:
81 should very much like 20 speak to
you or the Captain, sir"
III YOU don't get forward III speak
to you in a way you'n remember for a
year to comet he growled in reply.
No doubt he imagined that had some
complaint TO make; hut had he permitted
me 20 speak the words il might have
prevented the tragedy which followed.
His rebuff discouraged me from approach.
ing him again, or from seeking oppor.
tunity TO speak 10 the Captain, and from
that night ON / felt quite positive 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 Captain.
as that official was about 10 leave the
deck, that Trinidad would be on our star
board quarter by daylight. We were
not 10 call there, but round the island
aud head TO the southeast. This was
soon after ~ o'clock and shortly after
my watch had come on deck. II was a
fine, starlight night, with fve-knot
breeze, and there was little work for the
watch TO do was at the wheel, for |
could take my trick in fine weather with
any OF them. About 1 o'clock Bristol
Bob, who was in his bare feet, came aft
to the foremast and sang out, though not
over loud, and in very respectful voice
''Mr. Parker, the brig seems 10 have
picked mp a lot Of floating wreck stuff
across her bows Will you please come
forwardl"
The mate growled out something and
disappeared from my view. Five min
utcs later Bob and the entire remainder Of
the crew came aft in body, all in their
bare feet. / couldn't make out vet what
wac going on, aud 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 mon chuckled a bit over
this speech, and then mistrusted that the
mate had been killed. On the instant ]
made up my mind TO warn the Captain
! found him sound asleep, but half
dressed, and rs soon rs he was on his feet
] told him what had overheard in the
fo'castle, and what / suspected had Just
occurred on deck. II was wonderful how
coolly he took the exciting news.
care you sure both watches are on
deckt' he asked.
eyes, sir"
"And the men have come at in a
body3"
eyes, sir.
rs Mr.. Miner with themF
81 ann sure I saw him. "
"And Mr.. Parker is nowhere TO be
secng"
'sNo, sir"
'Then / fear you are right Go and
bolt the doors Of the cOmpanionway for
me while ] get my pistols"
The men stood at the entrance 20 the
companion and as they caught sight Of
me they stepped back a little, supposine
the Captain was following. I slammed
and bolted the swing doors, but not q
second too soon, and I was boiling the
door at the foot Of the steps when I
heard them crying out that they were
betrayed. The Captain now Joined me,
and IN addition 10 the bolt we pulled q
/ lot Of cabin furniture over against the
I door and got q brace against itlas we'll.
The men on deck were verVquiet for
/ The next half hour, no doubt holding a
council Of war az 10 what should be done.
The first thing they did do was 90 alter
the course Of the brio 90 due east and
the next thing was to ask Tor parlov
with the Captain he sand not 70 word
until one Of them smashed pane of
glass 10 the skyhght, and then be- de-
manded to know what was wanted.
''Thc case is this. replied Bristol Bob.
In bis gruifcst voice. ''Mr Parker has
been given lift over the rail. and is,now
holding his trick 40 the bottom Of the sea.
II you viii come mp aud surrender like n
gentleman well turn you adrift in tho
yawi TO sail yourself 80 shore. If YOU