Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-30
CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII
 While was in my cabin I heard tho nen hoisting up the quarter-boat, and .his was followed by-an order from Ouckling to man the lee main-braces. The ship, hove to, was off her course; but when she filled, she brought the wreck right abreast of the port-hole in my cabin. l stood watching for some minutes with peculiar emotions.
 The ship now lying over shut the wreck from view, and shifted my clothes as speedily as I could, being anxious to hear what Captain Coxon should say to me.
 remember thinking that the girl had rescued was in an awkward posi- tion, belng the only female on the ship and with no clothing except that she stood m, which was wringing wet Even if she were able to get along for time she would certainly want 8 change of apparel before we reached Valparaiso.
 Thus thinking, was pulling on boot when there came an awkward knock at the door, and in stepped the carpenter, Stevens, closely followed by Duckling. Stevens held a bar of iron in his hand with collar at either end, and one collar fastened with a pad lock.
 Duckling closed the door and i'm mediately said:.
 "Captain Coxon's orders are to put | you in irons. Carpenter, clap those | belayers on h1s shins!''
 | jumped off the chest on which I was seated, not with the intention of resisting, but of demonstrating; but Duckling, mlstaking the action, drew pistol out of his side-pocket, and, presenting it at my head, sad, right through his nose, which was the first time l had heard h1m so speak: eff you don't let the carpenter do his work | I'll shoot you dead-so mlndr' l You're a ruffian and bully!' said I; 'but I'll keep my life if only to pun ish you and your master!'
 Saying which, I reseated myself, folded my arms resolutely and suffered ankles, keeping my eyes fixed on Duck ling with an expression of the utmost scorn and dislike in them
 'Now," said he, ''you internal mu- tinous hound! Ireckon you'll not give us much trouble for the rest of the voyage"
 This injurious language was more than my temper could brook. Scarcely knowing what did, threw myself against him, caught his throat and dashed him violently down upon the deck. The pistol exploded in his hand as he fell.
 Carpenter cried, furiously,
 "open that door!''
 i he fellow obeyed me instantly, and walked out of the cabin. Duckling lay pretty well stunned upon the deck; but in few moments he would have been up and at me, and, hampered as was by the irons, he must have mas tered me easily. shambled over to where he lay, dragged him upright and pitched him with a crash through the open door against the cuddy table
 He struck it heavily and rolled under it, and then slammed the door and
 sat down, feeling faint and quite ex.
 hausted of breath.
 The door had not been closed two minutes when it was partially opened.
 and friendly hand (the boatswain's s.
 as afterward learned) placed a pan
 nikin of rum-and-water on the deck.
 be here long, sir. The door was then shut again; and, very thankful for 9 refreshment of which stood seriously
 in need, got hold of the pannikin and swallowed the contents
 l tired to reflect upon my position
 but could not imagine what might be
 the intentions of the captain towards
 me or what would be the result of my combaJ with Duckl1ng. Thinking the ruffian might visit me again to get re,
 venge, and knowing I would be al most at his mercy, hampered as was,
 I laid hold of sea boot with an iron.
 shod heel and held it ready to strike al ; the bully's head should he enter. How, ever after little saw him pass my
 cabin with blue lump over his right
 eye, while the rest of his face shone
 with soap which he must have used without stint to get rid of the blood which had smeared it. l noticed a number
 of the crew just under the forcastle con- l versing in very earnest manner, and , sometimes looking toward my cabin. saw that Coxon and the first mate , had me at disadvantage. I knew
 that the crew sympathized with me ) but the idea of 8 mutiny among them ) gave me no pleasure for I knew the , captain supported by Duckling would l swear I was the ring-leader, and the
 fact that 1 had called to the men to help me put off the wreck
 would tell against me Tn any court oi } inquiry. So stood good chance O: , being ruined professionally and ever undergoing term ot imprisonment. ) was also growing hungry, for it was after my usual dinner hour and hac done enough extra work to give me ar , appetite. The captain was eating his , dinner for not only smelled the cook 7 ing but heard him talking with the steward who was the only man in the 5 ship who showed any liking for him } I tried to hear if the old man or the . girl were with him, but caughtno other r voice. feared they would fare poorly } at his hands for he was certainly { 1 cold-blooded scoundrel.
 By and by heard Duckling's voice
 showing that the captain had gone or deck. This man, either wanting the tact of his superior or hating me more l. bitterly (which I admit was fair, see l ing how had punished him), said 1T loud voice to the steward: "What fodder is that mutinous dog