The Portland daily press., 1893-05-18
SOME ODD STORIES.

"a Voyage bO LklS w SOdSC Oh Africa E0rEy
Years Ago-Attaclzed by Cannfbals and
Saved by the Vision of Vessel In the
Sky-The Mutiny Ended.
tCopyright, 1898, by American Press Associa-
tion.]
II was only 10 years old when shipped
the first time" said my friend, the old sail
or. The craft was a brig called the Swal.
low, and she was bound for the west coast
of Africa, having a cargo CT cotton cloth,
boots and shoes, rum in casks, needles,
brass kettles, cutlasses, old muskets and
other stuff that could be readily traded fol-
gold dust, nuggets and ivory with the ma
tiyes. In those days, more than 40 years
ago, fortunes were made in this trade, but
times have changed since then.
I'VE 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 a mystery, for although she was
spoken when within o days sail Of the
African coast no further tidings had come
from her, and it was feared she had met
with some fatal disaster ~
THE crew was mostly made up OF the
toughest men found in shipping offices and
along the water front, for the voyage was
not 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 favorably impressed by my
lmessmates, but my head was full of foolish
notions about the romance in cruise to
Africa, and l was more than eager to go.
Some of the romance faded when was put
-. l.. Al
duty of common before-the-mast sailor.
'The captain was a brutal fellow. as BIZ
needed to be in order to command such
crew and keep them in subsection. He had
a voice like a foghorn and scowl that was
black as a thundercloud. The first mate
was Spaniard named Corello. He had
fiery temper and heavy hand. but fan.
cied him more than the skipper.
For some reason Corello seemed to TAX.
liking to me, and afterward had cause
to thank my good fortune this was true
He was not nearly SO hard on me as hi
might have been, although felt that my
lot was quite hard enough.
i TT was not long after leaving port that
observed queer actions among the sailors
There was great deal of muttering, and
sometimes would espy some of the mer
with their heads together, talking in low
tones. did not like this, and SO told the
mate about it. He looked at me uueerly,
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 fin.
ger across his throat in a significant man
ner.
From that time | felt sure there was
trouble brewing. but L 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 marlin spike
a sick man whom he had ordered aloft, but
who WAS unable to mount the 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 Spaniard, as was
his custom with the regul " men, and Cor
clio fared up in an instant. Hot words
followed All at once the master grabbed
up light running block and flung it at
the mates head
1.-THE aim was true enough but Corello
lodged. Then the skipper caught up a be-
laying pin and started for the Spaniard l
saw flash of steel, and Corello fell back
against the main hatchway, a knife in his
hand. With a Spanish oath, he swore he
would cut the captains heart out If an at
tempt was made to strike him with the be-
laying pin.
! For little time the two men looked
straight into each others eyes, and then the
captains hand fell. | expected he would
order that Corello be seized and put in
irons, but he did nothing of the kind. In
stead he retired to his cabin, and / saw a
singular smile playing about the mates
mouth, while fancied there was burning
power in his black eyes. siT
THAT night Corello came to me as stood
my watch He touched me lightly on the
arm, whispering:
81 4 save you. Don't you be scare when
time come Then he was gone.
Il felt that mutiny was threatened land
/ was in doubt about what to do. did not
mean to join the mutineers, and I had about
determined to report my suspicious to the
captain when was relieved from the watch.
AS was going forward I saw two forms
and heard the voice of Corello saying:
Not this night. Tomorrow
This relieved my feelings somewhat,
and dared not attempt to arouse the skip
per then, as knew he would make a terri
bic racket about it, SO went to my bunk.
l didn't sleep much, but the night passed
without further incident.
Morning found us becalmed at the
mouth of large river. The sun came up
red and scorching, making the water SHIN
mer like FURNISHED silver. Not breath of
air rippled the surface of the sea or futtered
the canvas we spread By 9 O'clock a sort
Of blush gray haze crept over the sky, but
the heat was none the less oppressive.
1.-THE captain walked the deck and raved.
DO you know where we are?' he snarled at
Corcllo. The natives who inhabit this
country are cannibalsl What if they should
take a fancy to attack us now? We'd all
ibe served in soup and roastsp
"The skipper seemed to blame the mate,
and in less than three minutes another row
had begun. This time the master did or
der Corello seized and ironed. But the or
der was not obeyed. Not a man moved to
carry out the command. Instead the sail
ors stood scowling at their captain.
Whats this7' he roared. his face grow
ing black. DO you refuse to obey mee BY
hi, this is mutinyP
1--WE are seek of you, calmly said Corel-