Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-04-29
speaking trumpet for Scotty so far as
handling the ship goes

| now ne nhu al aiong given MS Own
orders about handling the ship, while
he seemed to be only giving messages
from the captain. When the captain
had come on deck and given any
orders l felt sure that Scotty had told
him what to say before he left the
cabin. And when he had given
orders with Scotty by him Scotty had
always muttered, and what he had
muttered but the very orders that
Capt Phillips repeated after him.
saw what fraud the captain was
when thought it all over, but what
puzzled me most was why didn't
Scotty strike out for himself and be q
captain, instead of pretending to be
a servant and letting Capt. Phillips
use him that way. There was some
mystery about it, that was plain, but
couldn't what it was | could only
suspect that in some way or other the
captain had got tight hold on Scotty
While lay in my bunk thinking
about all this it came on to blow, and
all hands were called to shorten sail
Scotty was right when he told the
mate that we were likely to have a
storm, although when he said it the
weather looked as nice as you could
ask to have it in those ATTITUDES
That showed how we'll Scotty under
stood what he was about.
1--WE got into Callao and landed
our cargo all right. The captain
then said that we would 60 to San
Francisco where we would be paid off
and the ship would take on a cargo
of grain for Europe. Early in the
afternoon of the second day out from
Callao the mate went out into the
main channels to see If the paintwork
there didn't want touching up. Some
how he lost his balance and went
overheard. The ship was hove tc
and we started to lower a boat, but
the mate was seen to throw up his
hands and sink out of sight. Capt
Phillips came on deck with Scotty by
him and sent for the second mate,
who told him that there was no chance
of saving the mate. The captain ask.
ed the second mate if he understood
navigation. The second mate said he
could brace up the yards and such as
that, but he didn't understand naviga-
ton.
"'Then, said the captain, 'Pll put
back to Callao for a new mate
"Scotty turned to the captain and
said
why not make me mate p
"The captain looked mad and said
to Scotty:
Why, you don't understand
navigation
"Scotty looked madden than the
captain for moment. Then he
came alongside Capt. Phillips and
began whispering in his ear. Scotty
talked mighty earnest and seemed to
be begging hard for something-I
suppose it was to be made mate, but
the captain did nothing, only shake
his head and look sulky."
"And this time the ship was lying
to. Finally l saw Scotty looking
mighty ugly out of the corners of his
eyes. He was pale, too; but he went
up to the captain and seemed to beg
him once more, but the skipper again
shook his head and said loud enough
for me to hear him: We must put
back to Callao.' Then he went up to
Scotty and stood by him. knew he
expected Scotty to mutter to him
what orders he was to give to put the
ship about and head her back to
Callao. / thought at first Scotty was
going to rebel, but he began mutter-
ing as usual and the captain gave out
the orders with as big airs as if he
owned us all. In minute or two we
were sailing close to the wind on the
port tack. As the trade winds we're
now against us we had to beat back
to Callao. Four bells struck, and /
was sent TO the wheel. An hour later
the captain and Scotty came on deck
and the ship was put about on the
starbOard tack. This time Scotty's
teeth seemed clinched, and he looked
mighty ugly. heard the captain
say in low tone to Scotty as they
walked up and down, You know that
I've only got to tell the English con-
sui and you're as good as hung. Then
Scotty says: You know very well
l only struck him in self-defense. If
I'D told the captain at the time it
would have been all right. I've a
good mind to tell the consul myself.
Then they got out of my hearing.
But saw how it was then that the
captain had his hold OH Scotty.
Scotty had killed man, in self
defense, he claimed, but the captain
knew of it and was holding it over
him.
"At 4 o'clock left the wheel and
my watch and went below. At 6