Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-11-21
81 don't think it was him that did

i looked nafQ at MIN, Tor, TO be sure, II
the thing was not the work of stow
away--of some one hidden in the steer
age-it must at least be the act of per-
son living aft with access without sus-
picion to the cabins.
Well, nothing happened for three
days after this. Then, as 1 well remem-
Der, it being very beautiful. glowing
forenoon watch, the wind light breeze
right aft, and the ship swaying upon
the delicate pulse of swell with scarce
more than steerage way on her, the car
penter came from the pumps, where he
had been sounding the well, and stand
ing under the break of the poop, with
the sounding rod in his hand, called up
to me:
''There's three foot of water in the
hold, sirl'
The steward was on the main deck
when this was said and instantly ran
into the cuddy. The captain was walk
ing aft. 1 bawled the news to him, and
added that if the ship, had not been
scuttled afresh she had sprung leak.
He told me to call the carpenter on to
the poop, and just then the steward,
: white as sheet, came rushing up the
companion steps, crying out as he
sprang through the hatch that he could
hear the water running into the ship in
the same cabin where the holes had be-
fore been discovered.
The captain ran below as swiftly as
his stiff, angular figure would permit.
I and the boatswain and carpenter and
steward followed. On entering the cabin
we Immediately heard loud noise of
cascading waters.
1t was high morning, and there was
plenty of light. This time the would be
scuttler had given himself as little trou-
BILE as possible. He had simply knocked
out the plugs from the ships side, leav-
ing the holes in the skin open.
The carpenter rushed forward for tools
and broom handle to serve as plugs.
Once again the leak was stopped, and,
as on the former occasion, ON returning
on deck the pumps were manned and
the hold freed from water.
But now the sailors grumbled furi
ously. First they insisted on jackson
being released, next ON the ship being
narrowly searched.
From 10 o'clock till four bells in the
afternoon watch we were employed in
overhauling the vessel. We probed every
nook and Granny Of her from the fore
peak to the lazaret, diligently seeking
likewise for any signs of hidden man
in the steerage. All to no purpose. The
villain, whoever he was, must certainly
be one of the ships company.
For my part, suspected the steward,
and SO did Shirley, the carpenter. Mat
thews did not know what to think. The
captain stalked apart. gloomy and si-
lent.
That evening in the first dog watch 1
was in my cabin smoking pipe, turn
ing over i'll my mind some scheme for
protecting our lives by stationing a
watch day and night aft, and wonder
ing if Captain Jortin would see his way
to some arrangement of this sort, when
the steward knocked on my cabin door
and walked in.
The fellow addressed me civilly, with
an air of reluctance and establishment.
He said Captain Jortin had just given
him instructions to lock me up in my
cabin, where I was to consider myself
as under arrest on suspicion of attempt
ing to scuttle the ship. My meals would
be served regularly. ''I'm sorry, sir, I"
added the fellow, ''to have to do this
duty"
So saying, he closed and locked the
door, and heard him withdraw the key
sprang from my bunk. put my pipe
down and stood overwhelmed with sur
prise and CONSERVATION. To be merely
suspected of such crime was TO be pro-
fessionally ruined.
thought the captain must be mad to
lock me up without first charging me.
Why did not he confront me and accuse
me in the presence of others and give
me chance to prove my innocence?
Those holes had been bored by an auger.
An auger is tool not very readily con-
cealed in small cabin. Why had not
the captain caused my berth to be
searched?
Since I knew that I was an innocent
man I cannot express how great were my
grief and wrath as paced the deck Of
my cabin that was now my prison, won
dering with burning heart and with
throbbing brows who the real offender
could be; whether it was indeed the
steward, as now perhaps in my temper
was the more willing to suppose;
whether, if the ship was actually sunk
under our feet, as was threatened by
the mysterious villain who had twice
subtly sought to drown her hold, the
crew would remember that lay help
less prisoner locked up in my berth?
1 think it was about half past 8 when
the steward unlocked the door and en-
tered with tray of food, some cold wa
ter and few gilIs of rum in pannikin.
He seemed very shy in his manner
and was for making haste. bade him
tell the captain was an innocent man
and begged for an interview. He prom
ised to deliver my message.
"And will ask you, said !, ''to
remember should they sound the we'll
and find the ship taking water that
am locked up here and helpless.
He said, "Aye, aye, sir" and left the
CdDlIl, GuIuluS duel WltuuIdWluS 1uo
key as before.
Captain Jortin did not come near me.
All that night lay awake All next
day I awaited visit from him with
consuming impatience Nobody came to
me but the steward, who thrice in the
day brought me meal.
On the evening of the third day of
my imprisonment was startled out of
nap by disturbance in the cuddy out
side. Fheard tramp of feet and the
growing sound of seamen's voices. l
thought mutiny had happened and
listened with my heart beating hard in
my ears.
Presently my door was struck upon
and the handle violently tried. Then
the voice Of Matthews bawled for the
steward to bring the key. In few
minutes the door was flung open.
Matthews stood in the doorway At
least two-thirds Of the ships company
were massed around about him.
''Come out, sir, said the boatswain. !
"We've discovered who's been trying
to sink the Ship"
"Who?"
''As live to tell yer, it's the captain
himcalfIp cried Matthe1Us bringing his