The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-08-31
THE ELLA NOBLE.

Fl ELLA NOBLE.
81 was only 10 years old when / ship
ped the first time" said my friend, the
old sailor. ''The craft was a 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.
We had 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 q mystery, for
although she was spoken when within a
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 toughest 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. was not at all favor
ably impressed by my messmates, but
my head was full of foolish notions about
the romance in a cruise to Africa, and l
wal NOR than eager to go. Some of the
romance faded when I was put on salt
rations and compelled to do the duty of
q common before-the- mast sailor.
'sThe captain was q brutal fellow, as
he needed to be in order to command
such a crew and keep them in subjec-
ton. He had q voice like a foghorn and
q scowl that was black as o thunder
cloud. The first mate was q Spaniard
named Corello. He had q fiery temper
and q heavy hand, but fancied him
more than the skipper.
For some reason Corello seemed to
take a liking to me, and I afterward had
cause to thank my good fortune this was
true. He wa not nearly 30 hard on me as
he might have been, although / felt that
my lot was quite hard enough.
1T was not long after leaving port
that / observed queer actions among the
sailors. There was a great deal of NUT
tering, and sometimes / would espy
some of the men with their heads togeth-
er talking in low tones. did not like
this. and so I told the mate aboutit He
looked at me queerly, saying ~guardedly:
Have caire. Zese men no like a tat
tier. If zey hear you tell things, some
time You get He finished by drawing
his finger across his throat in a significant
manner.
"From that time Ifelt sure there was
trouble brewing, but / remembered the
warning and was careful to keep my
mouth shut. My dislike for the captain
increased, and / actually grew to detest
the man after / saw him knock down
with q marine spike a sick man whom
he had ordered aloft, but who was unablt
to mount the ratlines.
During the first part of the voyags
the captain and Corello got along vel
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 fared up in an instant
Hot words followed. All at once tn,
master grabbed upa light running blocl
and flung it at the mates head.
THE aim was true enough, but Corellt
lodged. Then the skipper caught up
Delaying pin and started for the Span
lard. saw a fash of steel, and Corell,
fell back against the main hatchway,
knife in his hand. With q Spanish oatl
he swore he would cut the captain
heart out If an attempt was made &
strike him with the Delaying pin.
For q little time the two men looke'
straight into each others eyes, and the,
the captains hand fell. / Expected b
would order that Corello be seized an
put in irons, but he did nothing Of til
kind. Instead he retired to his cabin
and ! saw q singular smile playing abou
the mates mouth, while I fancied ther
vas q burning power in his black eyes.
THAT night Corello came to me as
stood my watch. He touched me light
ON the arm, whispering.
"save You. Don't you be scare whe
the time come Then he was gone.
- felt that q mutiny was threatened
and ! was in doubt about what to do.
did not join the m~utineers, and / ha
about determined to report my suspicion
to the captain when ] was relieved fror
the watch. AS ] was going forward
saw two forms and heard the voice {
Corello saying:
= Not this night. Tomorrow"
This relieved my feelings somewha
md I dared not attempt to arouse I'll
skipper then, as ] knew he would mail
: t6rxible racket about il, 20 / went
~ bunk. I didn't sleep much, but Il
kSpaased without further incident.
foenin0 found Ms becalmed at Il
HM& &&. %&$@M&W 1~~x1n xSv0r THE c.,r c.~x