Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-09-24
THE BIG DANE.

For two weeks the Plunging Petrol,
big three mastcd schooner, had plowed its
way through the placid waters Of the Pa
ciflc with sameness 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 I was her only pas
senger, seeking health in this manner &C.
cording to my physicians urgent request.
She was commanded by sturdy old navl-
gator, Captain Collins
One day about noon, at tho beginning
of the third week, 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 chloroforln.
At eight bells the following night, when
the first mate went OH 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 "Man overboardv' 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-
or 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 tho
captain was nearly frantic.
On the afternoon following the second
disappearance the captain called mo into
his cabin, shut and locked the door and
beckoned me to chair at small table.
"My two officers have been murdered,
Mr. Vincent" he fairly gasped.
"Murdered9" exclaimed. Il have sus-
pected foul play from the first. Have you
any evidenced"
@The best in the world. You have no.
ticed the big Dane, QvistgardF
"That mild looking fellow with the red
beards"
"Yes."
"Why, certainly, but you don't suspect
him, hope"
''Of course not. On the contrary, there
is a mutiny on foot, and he--but here Is q
note he slipped into my hand q moment
ago. Read it for yourself. Unless you
and and this faithful fellow can Outright
or outwit Is hellhounds, we are doomed.
With face that must have been as
white as the one before me, and hand
that was anything but steady, picked up
| sheet of paper which the captain had
thrown on the table and read the follow
/ ing:
"CAPTAIN-I have just discovered hor-
| riblo 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 como
on deck to relieve the watch tonight UNI
less you heed this warning. Meet me 10
minutes before the close of tho second dog
watch, Just aft the main hatchway, and
will tell you everything. In the mean
time do not speak to mo or send for me,
for we arc closely watched am supposed
to side with the crew. The least mistake
would be fatal. Don't tell the passenger.
He may DO all right, but doubt it. Fol
Gods sake, captain, don't go near the
rail-"
Don't tell the passenger, muttered
as I looked at tho captain, not only horror
stricken at the contents Of the note, but
surprised and hurt at the uncomplimcn
tary reference to myself. But the captain
who must have OWNED my thoughts re
lieved my mind OH this point by saying
"That's all right, my dear Vincent
The fellow Is only q trifle overcautious
Don't mind him. / would trust you with
tho ship, and my life, too, for that mat
ter You see, have shown my confidence
by allowing you to read the note. Now,
want your advice. Your assistance shall
count on without the asking when TIN
time comes"
'Thank you, captain" ! answered
"To start with, should certainly not g.
ON deck till 1t Is time to meet the Dam
II were YOU"
My companion had now regained hi
composure to certsin extent and sat TO
a moment drumming the table with hi
fingers.
"Who has the watch now9" 1 continued
presently.
Hutton, the tall seaman with the ret
scar ON the back Of his hand" was tn
answer "He is acting as first mate, ant
] had decided to give Jones, the littl
Welshman, the position of second tomor
row. Both are fairly good navigators
and, by all the gods, can't understan,
It! / could have sworn that these tw'
mon were as true as the dead mates eve
were until I got this warning from Qvist
gard. But he is right, my boy; he Is right
All this comes from that unfortunat
Bates affair. wonder who is tho leader
If he could be shot or placed in irons,
might quell the others. Have you pis
toll"
"a small pocket affair."" I answered.
II have two large ones and q repeating
rifle in my chest, continued the captain
"How would II do to batten down tn
hatchway Of the forecastle when part Q
tho dogs are below at supper and puml
lead into the rest Of them' don't believ
they are armed unless they havs few