Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-04
The Story of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account of
 a Mutiny at Sea
RY w. CLARK RussELL.

 He then went on deck.
 I went into the captains cabin and locked the door and plunged into deep and bitter reflection. The revelation of the carpenters purpose was sur prise. Villain though I knew him to be. had not deemed him base enough to plan the murder of myself and the innocent persons on board the ship. The case seemed hopeless. 1 could hardly expect the boatswain to sacrifice his life in an effort to contend against the entire crew. The steward was a miserable coward more likely to be hindrance than help. l had already pointed out the course the ship was to steer and could not alter it. The truth is was utterly at my wits end. By such a confession l show myself no hero; but then do not wish to be thought one. In the darkness and hor- TOT of that hour saw no way of escape and so admit my blindness.
 My clothes and other things belong ing to me being in the cabin now oc- cupied by Stevens, opened the door and desired the steward to bring them to me. My voice was heard by Miss Robertson, who came round the table to where stood and thanked me for my kindness to her and her father.
 She had made good use of the few conveniences had been able to send her. Her hair was brushed and most prettily looped over the comb, and she wore a collar that became her nightly, which she found in the stewards box. She looked a sweet and true English girl; her deathlike pallor gradually yielding to healthy white, with tinge of color on the checks.
 "Papa seems better" she said, "and is constantly asking for you; but told him" (with the prettiest smile) ''that you require rest as well as others, and that you have plenty to occupy you. "
 Then looking earnestly at me for some moments, while her face grew wonderfully grave, she exclaimed:
 "What is wrong, MT. Roylep What makes you look so anxious and wor- ried?"
 looked into her face and the ex- pression of courage l saw there de- cided mo to tell her the whole truth and acquaint her fully with our peril ous situation.
 "There is plenty to trouble me-" I answered. "You know the men have mutinied, and that my position is a difficult one. have to be careful how act, both for my sake and yours"
 "Yes, I know that" she said, keep ing her clear and thoughtful eyes on me. But then you said you did not fear that the men would be violent agaln, and that they would leave us on board this ship when we were near New Orleans"
 ''I will not conceal that have heard something just now which has affected l 1J cold f~ hov. EGNNil1 you step into my cabinp We can talk there without being seen," I added, having observed Stevens walk along the main deck, and expecting that he would return in & few moments to his cabin, it being his watch below. She followed me in silence, and closed the door.
 II will tell you in a few words," I at once began, ''what I heard just now. l told the boatswain that I questioned | whether the men would let me land with them, for fear of the evidence could give. He replied that he had gathered from the carpenter, while at breakfast, that the men intended to scuttle the ship when they quilted her, and to leave us on board"
 "To drownP"
 "That is their idea"
 She pursed up her mouth tightly and pressed her hand to her forehead. That was all. Whatever emotion my statement inspired was hidden. She said, in low voice:
 "They are fends! I did not think them 90 cruel. My poor father?'
 "This is what am told they mean to do; and 1 know Stevens to be ruff. fan, and that he will carry out his project if he can. have spent some time alone here in trying to think how we can save ourselves: As yet 1 sett no remedy. But wait," said; cit VII take us three weeks, sailing well every day, to reach the Gulf of Mexico. have this time before me, and in tha time not only something must, bu something shall, be done."
 She did not answer.
 "I will hazard nothing; I will venture no risks. What resolve to do mus be effectual," went on, :'because m, life is dearer to me now than it wa three days ago, foryour and your father sake. You must be saved from tn ruffians, but no risk must attend you deliverance. This is why see no es cape before us as get, but it will comt \ it will come! Despair is very fruit ful in expedients, and am not beatel because 1 find myself flung like doi in a hole"
 She looked up at this, and said What is to be doneP"
 'I must think"
 'I will think, too. We need not tel papaP" she added, toning her voice t question, with an appealing look i : her eyes.
 "No, certainly not. Remember, W are not supposed to question the men honest intentions toward us. We mus appear utterly ignorant"
 Are they armedP" she inquired.
 "No."
 She cast her eyes round the cabi and said: "Have you no gunsp"
 "Nothing but pistol But thoug we had twenty guns, we have no hand to use them. So far as l know ye there is no man that would stand wit me-not even the boatswain-unless | were sure we should conquer the ru fans"
 uCould I not usa a niStolp An