The morning call., 1893-05-07

made an angry step or two, as thongh he
would pace tile deck. Tom, gripping the
nrass rail. kept his eyes. full o fire, upon the
Jew his breast rose aud fell Violently with
the vehenience Of his breathing. Resolution
as fearless aud magnificent as the chief
mate had given expression to was visible
In his posture and looks, and not the gross
est and most ignorant OF the unhappy crea-
lures wHo stared up could have mistaken his
mind.
He seemed TO wait for Aaron to speak.
then cried out. addressing the mass of men
generally: rs it your wish that should
navigate this ship and carry you 10 where
we shall presently decide ?"
Most of the fellows stared at one another
like fools. as though they lacked courage to
answer.
ANSWER me. damn you," he shouted {:
don't think care how it goes Treat me
as you've dealt with those whose blood
stains these decks. and I'll thank YOU. Pm
cdnvct-the most wretched OF the
wTetehes among you-snd broken-hearted
as none of you are. Use me as you will
But If 1 take charge I'm captain, and il Pm
captain my Will i'll what concerns the gen.
eral safety is law. The general safety will
be imperied by the detention of the women
and children. Youth render this ship unfit
for human management-you'l convert her
into hell beyond human control. /, fell
low convict and seaman, tell you this.
Now answer me: Am 1 in command or
not?'
ut was settled" howled Aaron.
"Johnsonw cried Tom. "Yuu at the
hatchway there! Order the women and
children on deck AMI pass them into the
boat"
johnson kept silent.
DO what you're told" shouted a voice !;
then followed hoarse. e confused uprosr
ship" Buffers right. WHO the plague
wants to keep them P" "It'll lead to niur-
der and we want our liberty ashore"
Order the women and children on deck"
cried Tom; whereupon some man, but it
was not the convict Johnson, beloved
down the main hatch.
In few minutes the women came up out
of the tween decks one by one, every
woman with child in her arms, for there
were eight and eight, though every woman
was not mother. The poor creatures eyes
were red with weeping, their faces white
with fear The husband Of one Of them had
been killed that morning. They were
dressed in honnets and shawls. My heart
was cold as | watched them; how might it
fare with me if / should be discovered They
went 20 the side and passed one by one
down the gaugway ladder; the great crowd
of convicts looked on. Not word was
uttered while the women walked through
the lane of armed men. AS they entered the
boat their husbands eagerly clasped and
kissed them and kissed the children; it was
/ ne Il luGtll1H Vi llt SURVIVORS Nl SOulG ter
rible disaster, and the tears stood in my
eyes.
The boat seemed crowded when the
women were in her, though at pinch an-
other ten or twelve persons might have
found space.
"of with you dow and bak roob for the
other boats" shouted Aaron. Head right
away and be thokful you've fallud idto
the 'ads OF hunade people. II you hag
about dear us, s'clp be Peter we'll fire idtu
you"
soldier seized an oar and showed the
boat off When she lad gone clear by her
own length the soldiers threw over the re-
manning oars and began to row. 1t was
about / O'clock in the afternoon; long
morning had been spent in getting that big
boat out storing, crowding and sending
her adriit. | looked around the sea; not the
least breath of air anywhere dyed the mol
ten resplandent surface that brlmmed in
breast of delicate blue silver Hight into the
morning distances. The soldiers rowed
vigorously. as though all in the boat
feared the convicts would play them some
murderous trick if they hung within reach.
mum Der o. people goton the line of bull
wark rail and watched the boat as she drew
away; l had thought TO hear hundred
vile blaSphemous insults flung after her,
but nothing was said in that way; the fel-
lows laughed and talked and pointed, but
no man called out
by Sir. Bates, as though the mate had been
ordered TO attend. The sweat was running
from the priZe-fghter's face, and the scars
about his brow aud forehead were knitted
into scowl. My heart beat fast. | dreaded
quarrel between him and Tom, for this
jew swung the deadliest fist of any man in
England. Greatly to my relief however, in
spite of his dark and sweating face, which
seemed to give the lie to his behavior, his
manner was conclllatory.
'Y on shouldn't lose your topper so easily,
Butler" said he Whats the good of.ey-
citig yourself? You start this gentlebud
off, >" here he motinned to Mr.. Bates, "who
talks n lot of rot to the people about yard
arbs. ! walked hib round the deck to ohlfge
you that the people bight see he's my fred,
and thed. excited by you, he jaws tlieb
about yardarhS. II they'd ad taken hib at
his word!' He looked up and, pointing
exclaimed with his extraordinary smirking
grin: That's what thik you gentlebud Of
the sea call vardarb. Gallus high, amt it,
by rosebud ?" and he turned his fiery black
eyes upon me.
The women are safe and I'm satisfied"
answered Tom. aaron. l had looked for
more humanity atyour hands. You-a man
of your reputation" he added with an an
CRY, sarcastic smile that instantly faded,
20 truckle to such beasts as we've had to
live among ever since we've found our
selves together IN irons! But the matters
ended" he exclaimed. with sort of sudden
hustle and hurry in his manner. Let's get
the other boats away. There's destina-
tion 10 be settled and arrangements for
working The ship to be made. The weather
is good for talk, but it may change in an
hour"
Right" exclaimed Aaron. BATES, call
up your bed aud give your orders"
Captain Butler" exclaimed the poor
mate, "let me leave this ship with the crew"
Aaron tierceiy rounded upon him. as
that your gratitude 2" he exclaimed in his
thick stunted accents. Didn't tell YOU,
Butler, he wasn't to be trusted? Wolves
tear hib! Why don't the flat-catcher dow
whed he's well OFF,"
y ou're here and you'Il remain here,
Bates" said Tom, giving the unfortunate
man an expressive look. Get those two
quarter-boats alongside, and have them pro-
viSoned, and let NE advise you to take
sheepshank in your tongue"
Mr.. Bates went to the rail and called to
the men. Some seamen and convicts came
tumbling on to the poop.
We've got hlb and we'll keep hib," said
Aaron. pulling off the captains cap ard
wiplng his brow with the captains picket
handkerchief. and straddling in front of
Tom, massive terrible figure. Butler,
YOU was right. I've beed turdig it over
Y GU card't be sibleadded. Suppose you
should die. We'd let hib understad what
betrayal 'ud cost But what's the good of
gettlg excited. Dever lose your topper If
couldn't keep my topper" and here he
spoke with his eyes fixed on me, "whaJ 'ud
be my reputatiOd as a publid had ?"
Copy right, 1893, by w. CLARK RUSSELL.
TJo he copfjn3toI