Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-09-12
THE ELLA NOBLE.

ped the first time," said my friend, the
old sailor. 1.-THE craft was brig called
the Swallow. and she was bound for the
west coast of Africa, having a cargo of
cotton cloth. boots and shoes, rum in
casks, needles, brass kettles, cutlasses,
old muskets and other stuff that could
be readily traded for gold dust, nuggets
and ivory with the natives. In those
days, more than 40 years ago, fortunes
were made in this trade, but times have
changed since then.
"Wehad another object besides trading,
for we were instructed to look after the
schooner Ella Noble, which had sailed
for the very locality to which we were
bound and had never returned What
had become of her was mystery, for
although she was spoken when within
days sail of the African coast no further
tidings had come from her, and it was
feared she had met with some fatal dis
aster.
''The crew were mostly made up of
the roughest men found in shipping of
fees and along the water front, for the
voyage was not a desirable one, as there
was sure to be no little risk of life and
the food could not be the best procurable
by any means. l was not at all favor
ably impressed by my messmates, but
my head was full of foolish notions about
the romance in cruise to Africa, and
was more than eager to go. Some of the
romance faded when was put on salt
rations and compelled to do the duty of
common before-the- mast sailor.
''The captain was brutal fellow, as
he needed to be in order to command
such crew and keep them in subjec-
ton. He had voice like foghorn and
scowl that was black as a thunder
cloud. The first mate was a Spaniard
named Corello. He had fiery temper
and a heavy hand, but 1 fancied him
more than the skipper.
"For some reason Corello seemed to
take liking to me, and afterward had
cause to thank my good fortune this was
true. He was not nearly SO hard on me as
he might have been, although felt that
my lot was Quite hard enough.
'It was not long after leaving port
that observed queer actions among the
sailors. There was great deal of NUT
tering, and sometimes l would espy
some of the men with their heads togeth-
er talking in low tones. did not like
this, and so told the mate aboutit. He
looked at me queerly, saying guardedly;
"'HaYe caire. zese men no like "a tat
tier. If zey hear you tell t'ings, some
time you get He finished by drawing
his finger across his throat in significant
manner.
From that time felt sure there was
trouble brewing, but / remembered the
warning and was careful to keep my
mouth shut My dislike for the captain
iINRTaoc cea6 oVn6 ull
the man after saw him knock down
with marline spike a sick man whom
he had ordered aloft, but who was unable
to mount tine ratlines.
During the first part of the voyage
the captain and Corello got along well
enough, and we had sighted the African
coast when they had their first quarrel
The skipper attempted to bully the Span
lard, as was his custom with the regular
men, and Corello hared up in an instant.
Hot words followed. All at once the
master grabbed up a light running block
and flung it at the mates head
The aim was true enough, but Corello
lodged. Then the skipper caught up
Delaying pin and started for the Span
lard. saw fash of steel, and CoreIlo
fell back against the main hatchway, a
knife in his hand. With d Spanish oath
he swore he would cut the captains
heart out if an attempt was made to
strike him with the Delaying pin
''For little time the two men looked
straight into each others eyes, and then
the captains hand fell Iexpected he
would order that Corello be seized and
put in irons, but he did nothing of the
kind. Instead he retired to his cabin.
4 I Il.