Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-01
The Story Of q Wreck.
yhririing and Romantic Account OF
o Mutiny at Sea.
sy W. CLARK RUSSELL.

tant as though It were an ANIMAL no
man taking the liberty TO touch ii,
however.
They came. hustllng each other about
me as / sat on the skylight working out
my figures, and l promise you their
proximity. coupled with my notion that
they might suspect had been deceive
ing them, did not sharpen my wits so
~ to expedite my calculations
Icarried two reckonings In my head
the false and tho true; and, finding
our actual whereabouts 10 be ninety
eight miles from Bermuda, tho islands
bearing west-southwest, rs straight as
line, ] unfolded the chart, and, Civ
ing them the imaginary longitude and
latitude, put my finger upon tho spot
we wero supposed to have reached.
exclaiming:
'Now you can sec where we are"
Just make small mark there
with your pencil, will youp" said John.
son; "then all hands can have look.
did so and quilted tho skylight,
surrondering the chart TO the men, who
made strange picture as they stood
porting over II, pointing with their
brown foreiingers and arguing.
HutNilbn 4 Gun answer,
Is therep" said 10 the carpenter.
'Matos, Is there any thing you want
10 say TO Mr.. Roylop" no exclaimed.
when are we going TO heave the
ship TOP" asked Fish.
That's for you TO answer" l re-
Joined.
"Well, I'm for not standin' too close
inshore," said Fish.
.sHnxv fur oH do xyn,, ac-- L.. ,hf. k..,
Florida coastP" asked johnson.
"About sixty miles. Look at tho
chart"
"And every minute brings us near
or" said a man.
That's true" replied. "But you
don't want to leave the ship before
dusk. do youP"
The men looked ut each other as
though they were not sure that they
ought TO confidc so much TO mo as an
answer 10 my question would involve.
particularly took notice of this. aud
felt how thoroughly | was put aside by
them In their Intentions
Tho carpenter said: You'll under
stand our arrangements by and by.
Mr.. Royle. IIow's the windP"
"About north" said |.
"Mates, shall We bring tho yards 10
the masts and keep the lecches liftin' |
Till were ready TO stop herP"
'The best thing as can happen
said johnson.
''Sholl lie TO the west'ard at that, |
aud ii look to DO sailin properly II a
vessel sights her; and she'll make no |
Roadway. neither, said Stevens.
You cant do better" | exclaimed.
SO the helm was put down. and ms
the men went TO work l descended 10
my cabin.
The stewards head was ut the pantry
door, and i called TO him; Bring me
u biscuit and the sherry"
wanted neither, but | had some.
thing to say to him; and II Stevens
saw him some to my cabin with tray
In his hand ho was not likely 10 follow
and listen Mt the door.
The steward put the tray down and
Was going away when l took him by
the arm and led him to the extremity
of the cabin.
"Do you value your lifep" l said to
him In whisper.
lie stared Ut mo and turned pale.
In the fewest possible words / dc.
tailed to him tho plan the men had
formed OF scuttling the ship and lenv-
ing us on board. l told him the mr.
rangoments We had perfected for de-
Tending our lives and let him under
stand that his only hope was to assist
US In every way no could. As had
anticipated, ho was entirely unnorvcd
for the time. But know that towards
sometimes make tho most terrible
antagonists.
Tho noon hour came and the men
went 10 dinner The quiet was so pro-
found that 1t seemed almost az though
the ship was deserted.
In glancing through the skylight |
saw Mary Robertson looking up at me.
leaned forward, so that my face was
concealed from the man at the wheel
the only person on deck besides my
self-and whispered:
keep upyour courage, and be ready
TO act as ] may direct.
~ am quite ready" sho answered.
"kemain In your cabin | said.
and don't let the men SOC you;" for il
mad flashed upon me that II tho crew
saw her they might force her 10 20
along with thom in tho boats.
III wanted n little brandy for papa"
she answered. "lle Is very poorly and
weak, and ramblos terribly In his
tulk. |
She turned TO hide her tears from
me- and prevent mo Witnessing her
struggles 70 restrain them. She would
ieel their impotence, tho mockery of
them. at such timo; besides, dear
heart, she would think should dis
trust her courage II she let mo sec her
weep.
Tho steward came forward under
the skylight as she entered her cabin,
and said;
~ will fight for my life, cir"
; THAT Is my advice to you"
81 will do my best | have boon
thinking OF my wife and child, sir"
"Hush!' | cried. mot so loud. II
your courage fails you. there Is u girl
In that cabin there who will show YOU
how to be brave. Remember two
things-act quickly and strike hard;
and, Tor Gods sakei don I fall TO drink
ing TO pull up your nervcsl II find
you drunk, i will call upon the men to
drown you"
And with this injunction l left the
skylight
IL was not until six o'clock that the
carpenter ordered tho mon TO get the
iong-boat over But Just before he
called out had noticed, with leap
OF Joy IN me, that the water out in tho
northwest was dark as with a shadow
Of cloud upon It.
Though this was no more than n
oats-paw. and travelled very slowly, /
was certain, not only from the indica-