The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-07-28

when we had eaten, and smoked our
pipes, we returned to our vessel
And Commodore Porter was not far
behind us. At , O'Clock he came on
board, accompanied by lieutenant and
twenty marines. His first move was to
direct the crew to be mustered ait; and
while this was being done the marines
were drawn up on the starboard side OF
the quarterback in two ranks-the crew
mastering upon the opposite side. When
all was quiet the commodore advanced
from his position against the taft rail and
addressed our men,
Look We, my men," he said in his
abrupt, authoritative way, am IN
formed that some OF You refuse TO do
duty. You know very well that you
can't be discharged to-day. The thing
is impossible, and the good OF the SER
vice viii not permit that you shall refuse
10 obey your officers. As the roll Is
called those who are not willing TO do
further duty viii, IN answer to their
names, 20 forward 10 the forecastle.
The Others will remain as they are"
The steward commenced 10 call the
roll, with q pause after each name. Two,
at least, Of those who had appeared 1t
the gangway answered 10 their names
without moving. At length the name OF
Louis Basard was called and ne went
forward, and when he started these
other two. who had trembhngly hesi-
tated. followed. When the roll was fin
ished forty men bad gone to the fore
castle, and there they stood, logged and
determined-at least so they tried TO ap-
pear. though 1t was very evident that
some Of them wished they were safely
out OF the scrape, for there was danger
to them in the look Of the eagle-eyed
chief.
The commodore caused the marines to
| be drawn up across the waist, facing for
ward, and when this had been done be
assembled the gangway ladder and turned
towards the mutineers.
''Now, my men, want you to return
10 your duty. Those who are willing 10
10 so may lay aft. Marines, attention
Ready AimW
The marines cooked their rifles and
brought them to their shoulders, the
muzzles covering the closely huddled
pack upon the forecastle. Most Of the
mutineers paled and treIubied. This
was worse than running the batteries at
! NlcksbuTg.
Look We, " pursued the commodore,
drawing out his watch II will give you
| Just one-hali minute-not one second
more IN thirty seconds l shall ire!
Now, report for duty OF stay where you
are -
Perhaps five seconds passed, during
which a stiffness like the hush 0t death
Ieigned upon the did, OF his watch, and
his lips were ready 10 pronounce the
fatal word. the spirit Of insubOrdina-
ton was growing weak in the presence
of = power that held lie and death at
will. A few seconds more and my two
stokers broke from the gang and came
aft, and they came not alone. Through
the gap thus opened others followed
followed IN q continuous l,ne-Inil the
| iorec25tle was vacant. Every man had
reported ior duty.
Porter put up his watch and stepped
down.
Captain" said he, is tie came upon
the quarterback, 8 nave IA order Tor
you, and will assume all responsibility
In the event Of its execution. The first
man Of your crew VINO refuses TO DO
! duty, shoot him on the spot!'
But our captain had no call iOr turning
his pistol against his own men. they
had discovered what mutiny really
meant, and had 20 desire 10 experiment
therein again-at least while the broad
pennant Of Commodore Porter was in
sight New York World