The Portland daily press., 1894-07-31
THE Big dane.

big three masted schooner, had ploWed it's
way through the placid waters of the Pa
cific with salneness that was exasperat-
ing. Since leaving port nothing-not even
a threatened storm or lively gale-had
broken the monotony
The ship was bound for Rio, with
cargo of wheat, and 1 was her only pas
senger, seeking health in this manner &C
cording to my physicians urgent request.
She was commanded by a sturdy old navi-
gator, Captain Collins
One day about noon, at the beginning
of the third week, a sailor named Bates
was placed in irons for striking a mess
mate with marline spike and breaking his
arm. The punishment was undoubtedly
deserved, but there were angry mutter-
ings and more than one sullen face among
the crew in consequence, for Bates, whose
only fault was an uncomfortable temper,
was a general favorite. But when the
unfortunate man was found dead the next
morning things began to look black for
the officers.
There was no sign of wound or struggle
upon the body of the dead man, but the
atmosphere of the forecastle where he had
been confined was odorous with the fumes
of chloroform.
At eight bells the following night, when
the first mate went on deck to relieve his
fellow officer, the latter had disappeared
and could not be found. happened to be
leaning against the mizzenmast smoking
when the alarm was given and could have
sworn that had been smelling chloro-
form for half an hour, although did not
call the fact to mind until the dreadful
cry of "Map overboardi'' was sounded and
all hands piped on deck.
A boat containing the first mate and
four men was lowered at once, the ship
was brought about, and two hours were
spent in fruitless search. In the mean
time every accessible nook in the ship,
which was lacking back and forth in the
locality, was inspected with like results.
At last the searching party was taken on
board, and the ship resumed its course.
The captain now took turns at the
watch with the mate and everything ran
smoothly till the following night, or rath-
er the next morning-four bells of the
first watch. Then when he turned out to
relieve the mate that officer could not be
found. The same efforts were made to
find the missing man, and with the same
| result as on the previous night, and the
captain was nearly frantic.
On the afternoon following the second
disappearance the captain called me into
| his cabin, shut and locked the door and
| beckoned me to a chair at small table.
My two officers have been murdered,
| Mr.. Vincent,'' he fairly gasped.
Murdered" I exclaimed. IT have sus-
| pected foul play from the first. Have you
any eyidenoe?"
1.-The best in the world. You have no
ticed the big Dane, Qvistgard?'
"That mild looking fellow with the red
bcard?''
'tYes'
"Why, certainly, but you don't suspect
him, hope''
''Of course not. On the contrary, there
| is mutiny on foot, and he-but here is q
| note he slipped into my hand moment
| ago. Read it for yourself. Unless you
| and I and this faithful fellow can Outright
| or outwit Is hellhounds, we are doomed"
| With a face that must have been as
| white as the one before me, and hand
that was anything but steady, picked up
a sheet of paper which the captain had
| thrown on the table and read the follow
ing:
| "CAPTAIN-I have just discovered hor-
| rible plot All the crew, except myself,
have mutinied. The mates were knocked
on the head and thrown overheard. You
| will share the same fate when you come
on deck to relieve the watch tonight I'm
less you heed this warning. Meet me 10
| minutes before the close of the second dog
| watch just aft the main hatohway, and
| will tell you everything. In the mean
time do not speak to me or send for me,
| for we are closely watched. / am supposed
to side with the crew. The least mistake
would be fatal. Don't tell the passenger.
He may be all right, but / doubt ii. For
Gods sake, captain, don't go near the
rail-
"Don't tell the passenger, - muttered
as looked at the captain, not only horror
stricken at the contents of the note but
surprised and hurt at the uncomplimen-
tary reference to myself. But the captain,
who must have OWNED my thoughts, re-
ieved my mind on this point by saying:
''That's all right, my dear Vincent.
The fellow is only trif1e overcautious.
Don't mind, him. I would trust you with
the ship, and my life, too, for that mat
ter. You see, I have shown my confidence
by allowing you to read the note. Now,
want your advice. Your assistance L shall
count on without the asking when the
time comes.
"Thank you, captain" I answered.
"To start with, should certainly not 90
on deck till it is time to meet the Dane
II were you"
!. My companion had now regained his
eomposure to a certain extent and sat for
moment drumming the table with his
fingers.
''Who has the watch now" continued
presently.
''Hutton, the tall seaman with the red
, scar on the hack of his hand" was the
answer. HE is acting as first mate, and
had decided to give Jones, the little
Welshman, the position of second tomor-
row. Both are fairly good navigators,
and, by all the gods, can't understand
it! l could have sworn that these two
} men were as true as the dead mates evel
; were until got this warning from Qvist-
gard. But he is right, my boy; he is right
All this comes from that unfortunate
Bates affair. I wonder who is the leader
, Il he could be shot or placed in irons, il
might queil the others. Have you a pis
toll"