Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-05-09

az 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 them
is the Atlantic. The island l am after
is not down on the chart 1t is north
east Of Trinidad, and may be two hum
dred miles away.
Don't Miner know?" asked the
other.
Never heard of it, but this is his first |
trip this way"
us 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'
u WdIIdn you JldV l. CuI HIS JuIOdU
with my own hands"
The men presently went about their
business, but | made the pretense of
| sleeping soundly until called to relieve
the other watch. Twas all in tremble
at what l had heard, and was also all at
sea as to what course | should pursue.
| While it seemed the proper way for me
to 60 to the captain or mate with my in
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 l to get below to inter-
view him or the captain without
being seen? Had only part of the
men been in the conspiracy might
have succeeded very we'll, 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 if they
had any suspicion that had picked up
information they would watch me close
ly enough. Iplanned dozen different
ways to reach the captain or mate, and
that | 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 reached him /
whispered:
81 should like very much to speak to
you or the captain, SIR"
''1f you don't get forward I'll speak to
you in way you'll remember for year
to comet" 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 oul
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 fve-kno
breeze, and there was little work for the
watch to do. l was at the wheel, for
could take my trick in fine weather witt
any of them. About one o'clock Bristo
Bob, who was in his bare feet, came af
to the foremost and sang out though
not over loud, and in very respectful
voice:
'Mr. Parker, the brig seems to have
picked up lot of floating wreck stuf
acrose her bows. Will you please conn
forward?"
, The mate growled out something ant
, disappeared from my view. Five min
utes later Bob and the entir,
remainder of the crow came at
in body, all in their bare feet.
couldn't make out yet what was goinI
on, and Bob took the wheel from me an,
said:
, boy, run down and tell the captain
that Mr.. Parker has been took very sicl
on his watch"
9 Some of the men chuckled bit owe
q this speech, and then / mistrusted tina
! the mate had been killed. On the in
n slant made up my mind to warn tn
a captain. I found him sound asleep, bu
n half dressed, and as soon as he was O
: his feet l told him what had overhear
q in the fo'castle, and what l suspecte
a had just occurred on deck. 1t was won
q derful how coolly he took the excitin
n news.
# Are you sure both watches are o
a deck?" he asked.
Eyes, sir"
d "And the men have come aft in
n body?'
g Eyes, sir"
E SIS Mr.. Miner with them?"
"a 81 am sure | saw him"
q And Mr., Parker is nowhere to }
:. SEEM"
= mo, sir"
d "Then fear you are right. Go an
"a bolt the doors of the companionway fc
Is me while l get my pistols"
n The men stood at the entrance to tn
ID companion, and as they caught sight {
d me they stepped back little, supposin
N the captain was following. l slamme
TO and bolted the swing doors, but non
A. too soon, and was boiling the door /;
ly the foot of the steps when | heard thel
st crying out that they were betrayed
W The captain now joined me, and in az
N dition to the bolt we pulled lot of ca
" in furniture over against the door an
j. got brace against it as well.
oil The men on deck were very quiet f'