The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-08
THE BIG DANE.

way through the placid waters Oh the IA
ciflc with sameness that was exasperat-
ing, Since leaving port nothing-not even
threatened storm or lively gale-had
broken the monotony.
The ship was bound for Rio, with
cargo of wheat, and was her only pas
senger seeking health in this manner ac-
cording to my physicians urgent request,
She was commanded by sturdy old nayi-
gator, Captain Collins,
One day about noon, at the beginning
of the third week, sailor named Bates
was placed in irons for striking mess
mate with amarline 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,
wa a general tavorito, 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. l 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 overboardw 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 tacking 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, orrath.
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 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 u small table.
my two officers have been murdered,
Mr.. Vincent" he fairly gasped.
"Murdered?" l exclaimed IL have sus-
pected foul play from the first. Have you
any evidence"
''The best in the world. You have no.
ticed the big Dane Qvistgard2"
THAT mild looking fellow with the red
beardg'
"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 a
note he slipped into my hand a moment
ago Read it for yourself. Unless you
and l and this faithful fellow can Outright
or outwit 10 hellhounds we are doomed"
With a face that must have been as
white as the one before me, and a hand
that was anything but steady picked up
sheet of paper which the captain had
thrown on the table and read the follow.
ing;
"CAPTATN-Ih have just discovered a 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 un-
less you heed this warning. Meet me 10
minutes before the close of the second dog
watch, just aft the main hatchway, 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 l doubt it. 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-
lieyed my mind on this point by saying:
That's all right, my dear Vincent
The fellow is only u trille oyercautious
Don't mind him. would trust you with
the 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 the
time comes. "
THANK you, captain" l answered
"To start with l should certainly not go
on deck till it is time to meet the Dane
If l were you"
My companion had now regained his
composure to certain extent and sat for
moment drumming the table with his
fingers.
''Who has the watch now2" continued
presently.
Hutton, the tall seaman with the red
scar on the back Of his hand, +" was the
answer. "He is acting as first mate, and
i 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
i'll l could have sworn that these two
men were as true as the dead mates even
were until l got this warning from Qvist
gard. But he is right my boy; he is right
All this comes from that unfortunate
Bates affair. wonder who is the leader
If he could be shot or placed in irons, il
might quell the others Have you a pis
toll'
"A small pocket affair" ] answered.
IL have two large ones and a repeating
rifle in my chest, continued the captain
"How would it do to batten down the
hatchway Of the forecastle when part o
the dogs are below at supper and pump
lead into the rest of them2 don It believe
they are armed unless they have few
knives. We could then make for the near
est port"
Better wait till you see tho Dane"
replied. "He may be able to give you the
name of the leader"
For an hour or more we continued t.
plan, but without being able to decide OIL
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