The morning call., 1893-05-07

were standing; they gathered about US,
and VIII was for moving off, but l held my
ground; l did not love their language, be
lieYo mt. but it would not do TO seem shy Of
them. They were flushed with drink and
talked rapidly and thiekly in the most in
tolerable coarse speech you can imagine; yet
they were not so drunk a to be unintel-
ligbie. Seemingly they had been among
the most successful in plundering the
cabins. One pulled out Captain Suih-
erland's gold watch, and. dangling
it on high by its cham as though
it were cherry lie was about to
pop in his mouth, roared cut: This is the
thurble for y0H. Here's the yack for
nobs gurreii." Another produced pin,
third large Old-fashoned watch. which
VIII WHISPERED had belonged to the second
mate. Their talk was compound OF oaths
and thieves slang, but they took not the
least notice Of me or VIII; they jabOered
boarselY and thickly and swiftly among
themselves. as though on the eve of coming
to blows, breaking utf presently, however,
to watch the longboat rising out OF her
chocks when the tackles were manned by
some score or two Of felons.
The great boat was got over as sR artly as
though all concerned in lifting and lowering
her were sailors. All necessary information
as to where stores. fresh water and so forth
were to be found had doubtless been OBJ
tanned from Dir. Bates; anyhow no time
had been lost, but soon after the boat was
loated a number of people, under the su-
perlntondence Of some of those man whom
| had taken to be the leaders, rolled a cask
OF fresh water, lerce or two Of beef, two
or three barrels of -four and biscuit and
other matters which my memory does not
carry. to the open gangway, and very rap
Idly all these things were stored IN the
boat alongside.
just then Tom came out of the euddv by
way of the quarterback and went TO Bates
and Barney Aaron, who stood together,
with Nl0m lH snUkp 'IOm aftnHneH by
Bates returned 10 the cuddy, aud after an
InteTya! reappeared with q seXtant case,
chart or two, ana such appliances as ! sup
posed they would need in the lOngbOat TO
enable them to steer course for land.
These things were handed down TO some
cOnyicts who were slowing the provisions
in the boat Tom stood in the gaugway and
looked down, and then called out for the
oars, sail and mast Of the boat to be brought
along and shipped. When he had seen 10
this he glanced uD. and observing me. as
cended the poop ladder.
HIP said lie walking up to the group of
conVicts who had been talking and swear
ing and boasting Of their piunder, but were
row silent, What are you doing here?
This is no part of the ship for you," lie
cried, cursing them. Get away down 10
your quarters. This poop is for the CAP
tain and the mate, aid Mr.. Aaron aud tho
rest of US who are responsible for the safety
of the vessel and for landing you wuere
you may bolt and get hanged at your leisure.
on with ye, off with ye, aDd laying hold
of the sturdiest lie gave him thrust.
The cOnyicts were used 10 this sort Of
usage. ana probably would have recognized
no other treatment than that of kicks and
curses. They yielded submissiyely as felons
to the command Of an armed warder, went
in a body down the ladder, and mingled
with their fellows on tie main deck
"Those people below must be sent adrift,"
said Tom, coming to my side and talking as
thOnph ha tnOIlDht a lOfiH s'IRz "a ha rd-
ship, but | see the need. If they're kept
they'll be murdered. They start well
equipped-lve seen to that. LIS ODDS if
they're not picked up in a day or two in
They'll take three boats from ths ship.
Thatll leave two and the zig. The gigs for
Us. The conycts must see 10 themselves.
It's not thing to he debated. It's every man
for himself at such times as these" and his
eye went TO the stain at the head OF the
poop ladder where the sentry had been
butchered.
"TGm," said |, "if the sailors are leaving
the, ship, who's TO carry on the work?"
Seven or eight rogues stay" he an
swered. -Four or five of the convicts have
been 10 sea. With near $50 souls in the
ship. | should be able to manage if i chose
TO keep by her. How many of the crew
went to your complement" said he, turning
to viii.
Thirty, sir" answered the lad.
Thirty ordinary and able seamen and
idlers," sad VIII.
They looked a ruffianly lot" exclaimed
Tom. The people counted upon more help
than they got. Aaron asked all hands to
remain; only seven or eight chums and ac-
quaintances OF the prisoners stick to the
ship. Those were the scoundrels who flung |
themselves upon the sentries. Yes, they'll |
need two quarter-boats besides the long
boat. a numerous family to send afioaf,
and under line, too, with - how many
women and children?i
VIII gave him the number.
Tom made a grimace of pity, folded his
arms and stood with a stern face watching
what was happening in the gangway.
Mr.. Bates was showing the convicts how
to rig the accommodation ladder over the
side. / looked at Tom and particularly
noticed now the change in his face, lust as
l had felt and witnessed The change in his
nature and bearing. That change | had be-
fore observed, but not SO clearly. The
light was searching; he stood in repose,
himself and viewing the pro-
ceedings on the main deck. He was pale
and thin and i'll and haggard: yet his manly
beauty wanted none ofIts old charms. Nay,
there was a gain, thought; he seemed tho
handsomer because of the severity of his
expression there was ferceness that gave
his lineaments an heroic cast Suffering
had deepenee and accentuated all that WAS
manly In HE looks by an infusion OF stern