The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-14

spectator of such scenes and hcarer of
such language. l read his mind; lie
would not approach me to speak.
Barney Aaron followed, and with him
were the hare-lipped man and some score
of convcts of whom half might have been
principals in the se,Zure of the ship.
Lets get to busidess." said Aaron.
Talk 20 the people as was arradged,
Butler"
On this. Tom, LAYING hold of the brass
rail, leaned forward and cried out that
every man was TO come together on the
quarterback, as he had a few words 10 say
TO them. Mr.. Bates stole up the ladder TO
my side. and without speaking gaZed with
a look of bitter distress az lhe recedins
boats. Still was the ocean. as polished a
plain as ever it had been during the morn
ing The sun flashed up the water into
binding dazzle in the northwest and the
heat was terrible. There was no motion
in the ship TO fan the lightest OF the top
mast cloths; he atmosphere hnaied like
the breath of an oven, without refresh
ments of the draughts which circle about
deck when the becalmed craft leans with
tie swell and her courses and topSails
swing. The convicts massed themselves
upon the main deck; their faces were
white with the heat, or scarlet. The drink
had been distilled out OF them by the roast
ing temperature and the unhappy beings
stood looking up at Tom with as orderly
doctor addressed them.
Men" said my sweetheart, 1--WE taken
charge of this vessel. It's the interests of
everybody aboard her that Eve now to
consider; IFS for us, all assembled as we
are, to consider what's to be done And
first understand this: No ship can be
sailed without discipline. Look aloft, men,
at those vast heights. You see for your
selves what complicated thing a ship IS.
Ii and the mate Of your own elect on"
and here he pointed to Mr. Bates, give
an order it must be Obcyed. If not-but
you're not fools; you can guess what must
follow if we're not obeyed. IN not inter
fere in any arrangement which don't affect
the safety oil The sup. ou'li sleep where
you choose and eat when you choose, and
whatever you do that doesn't concern our
lives VIII be no business Of mine. But
reminder there are nearly go of US"
He was interru ted by some voice shout
ing tut the exact number.
"4 on taste this weather, don't We? You
can guess how il would fare with us to
run short OF water. and next 10 that
would be the running short of provisions
y on must he willing to go on allowance"
willing? Of course! That's to be ex-
pected," broke in three or four OF them,
Those among you who have been sea-
faring men Will unite with the sailors and
form a crew and take the forecastle for
your quarters. which must be yOur own.
stood ?'
Understood" was the answer, in a
roar.
THE rest will form themselves into
watches under head;, as In the DOCTORS
time, and every watch will come on deck
turn and turn about, and stand by to as
sist the crew by pulling and hauling, clean
ing and making the ship sweet and so
helping to keep you all alive and ready for
the run ashore when the hour comes"
A great cheer echoed this sentence.
"Mr. Bates" continued Tom. "knows
where everything is slowed in this ship.
He'll sample your oOd for you and name
you your water allowance. Use him
kindly, men. He's OF irst-rate consequence
to u.s."
When this was said Barney Aaron
crossed to the mate, brought him to the
middle OF the break of the poop, near to
where Tom stood, and there, in the sight
Of all the convicis. shook him by the hand
This was done in silence, but il was a very
expressive performances, some might hold
after the Eastern manner, seeing who was
the main actor.
Tom went on: Il must have the cap
taln's cabin the navigating instruments of
the vessel are there. and certain con-
veniences OF furniture. The chief mate
will also need his cabin; he'll share 1t
with That Young gentleman" said he,
pointing to viii. IF any of you in the
hurry OF lIlS morning nave mistaken M r.
Bates effects for Captain Barrett's or
the other officers. or the commanders, I'll
beg him TO return them. He Is our
friend, and Mr.. Aaron wishes him to be
well used. Il is not right he should be
thus dressed"
Look at yourself!' cried voice on the
quarterback.
eyes. but Pm conyictr exclaimed
Tom, savagely.
This raised roar. A hundred men
seemed to speak at once. They yelled out
to this tffect-that there were no longer
any coDvlcts aboard that ship; that they
were all free men; that they had got their
liberty and meant to keep II, and so forth.
order! bawled Aaron. raising his
arms above his head. Were here 10 dis
cuss batters quietly. The captid's talked
very sensibly. u Fb with nib up to the hilt
as far as he's CORD. Are those your sedi-
DENTS? said he, looking round at the little
crowd OF convics who stood near.
There must be discipline" answered
one of them, "and Buffers talked very
good sense SO far"
"HowSabout tho stock of spirits ?" ex-
claimed tall, thin. pale, gray-haired con-
vlctdressed in an officers shell-jacket too
short for him-so that when | think Of
him now 1t is always somehow in c0nner-
ton with Mr.. Dickens incompara BILE fIgure
of Smike. "Sponsibe men are wanted 10
see to that"
You're right Williams" said Tom.
giving him an emphatic nod
Every cask OF Spirits" continued the