Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-10-27
WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE KANSAS OCTOBER o. 1892

had SHOWN them, and their declaration
that they did not want my life, had
they not foreseen that they would stand
in need Of some competent person to
navigate the ship for them, and that l
was moro likely to como into their
projects than either Of the men they
had murdered.
Ny agitation was greater than like
TO admit. ! turned over IN my mind
various plans for escape, none OF which
upon mature consideration seemed
practicable. To let the men sec that |
stood to my work, never quilted the
deck until six o'clock.
On arousing the carpenter in the
cabin formerly occupied by me Il found
him In the bunk on my mattress with
his boots on and a pipe belonging TO
me In bis handy, 1 told him that the
ship could now carry all plain sail, and
advised him to make it. He got out
Of the bunk in q pretty good temper,
and went along the cuddy; but as he
was about 10 mount the companion
| ladder l called to know II he would SEQ
the eteward and speak 70 him about
serving out the cuddy stores, rs pre-
ferred that he should give the man in
stfuctions, since they would best rep
resent the wishes of the crew. But the
truth was | wanted TO pack all the re-
| sponsibilKy that could upon him, so as
10 make myself as little answerable as
possible to the men.
Eyes, yes Fetch him out Where
is hep" no replied, turning round.
Steward" called.
After n pause the door of the cap
tain's cabin opened, and the figure Of
the steward stepped forth. Such
woe-bcgono object, with bloodless lips
and haggard expression, and red eyes
and quryering mouth, hands hanging
like an idiots. his hair matted, his
knees knocking together as he walked,
Inever wish to see again.
"Now, young feller," said the car
penter (the steward, by the way, was
about forty years old), thrusting his
hands into his pockets and leaning
against tho mizzen-mast, "we're all
equals aboard this here vessel now.
No ones above tother, barrin your
self, who's Just nowheercs ut all, OWN
to your kecpin' in tow Of the skipper
when no was pisoning us with the
stores which you took joy in sarving
out! Now, YOU understand this: You're
to turn to and sarvo out the cuddy
stores TO tho men at the proper time,
and three tots o grog every day to
each man. Mr.. Ryle ii tell you how
long our passage vi last, and you're to
make n calkllation of the livestock so
as each watch gifts n share Of the pigs
an poultry. But you," he continued,
squirting some tobacco-juice from his
mouth, "arcn't to touch any other pro-
visions but the stores which the crews
been eatin' Of; mind thatl II we catch
you tastin' so much as half q cuddy
biscuit, well run you up to the fore
yard arml'
He shook his fist in the stewards
face and addressing me, said;
That's all to be said, amt it?"
That's pll," l replied; and the
steward went cringing and reeling to-
ward the pantry, while the carpenter
mounted the companion-ladder.
l entered the captains cabin which
was comfortably furnished and sup
piled with all tho instruments, writing
materials, maps and other necessary
articles. Among other things l dis
covered five-chambercd revolver,
which was loaded aud after little
search 1 found box Of cartridges,
This considered very lucky as Ioould
not tell how soon such n weapon might
provo TO be n necessity. | put the re-
volveT in my pocket and made thor
ough search for more firearms but to
my great disap northumberland nothing
of the kind. This was unfortunate, for
il myself and tine boatswain could sue
coed in winning one more man, and
weapons could be secured for three
they might make n formidable stand
against the crew should occasion de-
mand. All that / found aside from the
captains clothing, of Importance, was
a bag containing about thirty pounds
in silver.
While engaged in these explorations,
a knock fell ON the door, and on my
replying, tho girl came in. bowed
and asked her to be seated, and in
quired how her father did.
"Ho is still very weak she an
swered "but he Is not worse this
morning. heard your voice just now,
and watched you enter this cabin. l
hope you will let me speak to you. /
have much TO say"
/ "lndoed," | replied, ~ have been
waiting impatiently for this opportun-
ity. VIII you first tell me your nameP"
, "Mary Robertson. My father Is n
Liverpool merchant, Mr.. Royle, and
the ship in which we were wrecked
was his own vessel. OH" she ex-
claimed, pressing her hands TO her
face, 'wc were many hours expecting
every moment to die"
, Suddenly she looked mp with smile
| of wonderful sweetness and, scizing my
, hand, cried:
"What do we not owe you for your
noble oIlorts' How good and brave
you are"
"You praise me too warmly Miss
, Robertson. Had | risked my life to
! save you | should only have done my
duty. How were you treated yester-
, day2 Well hope"
''Oh yes. The captain told the
/ stewart to give us what we wanted. l
| think tho wine he sent US saved papa S
, life. He was sinking, but rallied after
r he had drunk little Of it. am in Il
, sad plight she added, while faint
/ tingo OF rod came into her cheeks.
81 have not even a piece Of ribbon to
tic up my hair with"
She took her beautiful hair in her
, hands, and smiled
''ls there nothing in this cabin that
, will be of use to youp' j said. "Here
Is hair brush-nnd II looks a pretty
, good one. | don't know whether we
snail be able to muster bit Of ribbon
among us, but just now came across