Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-10-13

stood M, wnlcn was w1nginR wet.
| Even IL she were able TO get along for
a time she would certainly want n
change OF apparel before VIC reached
| Valparaiso.
Thus thinking, was pulling on n
boot when there came an awkward
knock at the door, and in stepped tho
carpenter, Stevens, closely followed by
Duckling. Stevens held bar of iron
in bis hand with collar at either end.
md one collar fastened with n pad.
lock.
Duckling closed the door and i'm
mediatcly said;
Captain Coxons order, are TO nut
you in irons. Carpenter, clap those
btlayers on his shinsr'
i jumped of the chest on which !
was seated, not with the intention of
resisting, but of demonstrating; but
Duckling. mistaking the action, drew
pistol out OF his side-pockct, and.
presenting II at my head, SAID, right
through his nose, which was the first
time ] had heard hun so speak, "If
you don't let the carpenter do his work
I'll shoot you dead-so mind!"
You're n ruiiian and n bullyr said
j; "but j keep my life II only to pun
ish you and your MASTERY
Saying which, rcseated myself
folded my arms resoutely and suffered
the carpenter to lock the irons on my
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 II 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 doorl'
Tho fellow obeyed me instantly, and
walked out Of the cabin. DucklinR lay
pretty well stunned upon the deck;
but in few moments he would have
been up and ut me, and. hampercd as
was by the irons, he must have mas
tered me easily. shamblcd over TO
where he lay, dragged him upright
and pitched him with crash through
the open door against the cuddy table.
lie struck II heavily and rolled under
II, and then slammed the door and
sat down, feeling faint and quite ex-
haustcd OF breath.
The door had not been closed two
minutes when II was partially opened,
and friendly hand (tbo boatswain's,
as | aftcrward learned) placed pan
nikln Of rum-and-water on the deck,
and voice said: They'll not let YOU
be here long, sir. The door was then
shut again; and, very thankful for
refreshment OF which / stood seriously
In need, got hold of the pannikin aud
swallowed the contents.
tried 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
combat with Duckhng. Thinking the /
ruliian might visit mo again to get re-
vcnge, and knowing | would be al- /
most at his mercy, hampcrcd Us | was, |
| laid hold of sea boot with an iron /
shod heel and held it ready 10 strike at
the bully's head should he enter. How ,
ever after little | saw him pass my
cabin with a blue lump over his right
Nlt' Nllio tnC Itht OF MS lace snOne /
with soap which he must have used ,
without stint to get rid oftheblood which .
had smeared II. | noticed number |
OF the crew just under the iorcastle con- |
versing ia very earnest manner. and .
sometimes looking toward my cabin.
! saw that Coxon and the first mate
had me Mt disadvantage. | knew /.
that the crew sympathizod with me
but the idea Of a mutiny among them .
gave me no pleasure for knew tho ,
captain supported by Duckling woull .
swear was the ring-leador, and the |
fact that | had called to the
men 70 help me put Off the wreck .
would tell against mo IN any court of
inquiry. So stood u good chance Of .
being ruined professionally and even /
undergoing Il term OF imprisonment 1 I
was also growing hungry, for II was .
after my usual dinner hour and had
done enough extra work TO give me an
appetite. The captain was eating his
dinner Tor not only smelled the cook /
ing but heard him talking with the I
steward who was the only man in the |
ship who showed any liking for him,
tried to hear If the old man or the
girl were with him, but caughtno other /
voice. feared they would fare poorly /,
at his hands for he was certainly
cold-blooded scoundrel
tDtt tt. t,NIiNIfEp