Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-02-16
THE VINEYARDS CREW.

all sail set. rose and fell with regula
motion on the waves, her sails belly
ing white in the moonlight before TIL
strong south wind. Her deck was il
shadow. and back and forth in from
of the wheel, crossing and recrossin
a patch of light from the companion
way, a mufiied figure walked witt
measured tread. At the wheel a sailo
in pea jacket, cap, and mittens mOvet
back and forth, glancing at frequen
intervals at the compass in the bin
nacle box. On the forecastle deck thu
forward watch scanned the trackless
waste ahead.
In the forecastle a dim light burned
the brass lamp swinging in a bracket
screwed to the foremost. Two mel
sat beside the lamp, one of them {
negro. The flame, fed by fish oil, splut
tered and smoked. The negro snuffed
the wick with his calloused fingers
and turned TO the man beside him
saying in harsh whisper:
Oats allT'
Eyes, that's ALL" was the reply. The
speaker was Il lean man, with thin
eadaverous face. His eyes glittered
like a rats as he replied to the negros
question.
Remember" lie continued, 'you take
the first one, I'll look out for tOther.
When we've fixed 'em III take charge
Of the ship. If you've lied about the
stuff, you know the penalty"
The negro nodded as if the words
had become familiar from repetition.
Its my watch on deck now" con-
tinued the speaker. you'll hear from
me pretty soon"
On the quarter deck the figure paced
back and forth unmindful of the con-
spiracy in the fOrecastle.
THE Vineyard is holding her record, y
he muttered. glancing at the vessels
long track of froth stretching behind
like road in the snow. IF we hold
this breeze Wen be up to the capes
in twenty-four hours. 1 wish we were
in Philadelphia now. I'd rest easier
with this cargo in the owners hands.
Every stitch is drawing" he contin-
ped, scanning the briggs trim sails.
THE old Vineyards good sailer.
Well" after q reflective pause, turning
to the man at the wheel, Its your
watch below. Here comes Gibbs to re-
heve you"
Gibbs is the lean conspiratOr of the
forecastle. He takes the wheel, the
man on watch hur1ying away.
I'm going to turn in, Gibbs" says
Captain Thornby. IF it breezes up,
call me-"
AYE, aye, sir" replied Gibbs; but
doesn't that pinnacle lamp need trim
ming. STRIP
Call Wansley to turn it then. I'll
steer"
The sailor shuffied forward and pres
entity returned with the negro. Il
thought I noticed light over the port
quarter, SIR" he said, resuming his sta
ton at the wheel
''Where away?'
'sIhis way, sir l don't see it just
now, but I'm sure l saw it before
Captain rhoInby peered into the dis
lance, Gibbs looking in the same d1rec-
ton Behind them stood the negro, IN
tently watching the two men.
There it is, sirr' exclaimed Gibbs
The words were the negro's signal.
With the agility Of a cat he turned and
seized heavy pump brake, capped
with iron, from the top of the cabin.
A swift swing, and the bludgeon Glove
the air with a swish, its iron-capped
end coming down upon the head of
Captain Thornby.
The murderers looked for a second
into each others faces, and Gibbs gave
q shrin whistle that brought the rest
Of the crew to the spot"
Throw him overheard" he shouted,
sand NV for the mater
Wansley seized the captains body
and dropped it over the rail. The dead
mans distorted features showed for
second in the moonlight and then were
swallowed I'D. The negro's courage
seemed to fail him, but the noise of
conflict in the companionway banished
the horrible sight from his mind.
When the captain fell Gibbs had
seized the blood-coyered pump brake
men following him in mute obedience.
AS they started down the stairs the
door flew open and Mate Roberts stood
before them, sheath-knife in his
hand.
sect back, you dogs, on your peri"
he shouted. Ell kill the first man that
advances"
The unexpected appearance of the
mate, who had been aroused by the
noise on deck. was q surprise to Gibbs
and his co-conspirators. But they We're
not to be cowed. They had seen blood
and wanted more. Their 11ngleadel
was noted in New Orleans as a slayer
Of men and they had confidence in him.
Roberts was a stalwart man with an
arm of iron, but he saw In the faces
Of the crew a determination that meant
death. He had been through one mu
tiny and knew what it meant. His
only hold was to keep the men at bay
until he could reach the captains berth
and get the pistols that lay under the
pillow.
Step by step he reiterated into the
cabin, Gibbs following with the clul
at his side. Once out of the companion
way he raised it to his shoulder, an(
with a quickness born of practice III
made mnge at Roberts.
The heavy bar came down acros
the mates arm. raised to ward off thu
blow, with a force that snapped tn
bone. The knife went flying across tn
cabin, and another well-directed oloV