The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-05
CHAPTER TX.
THE CAPE AND BEYOND.

Our run to the Cape was made In
fairly good time, and when we came
to anchor everybody aboard was IN good
health, and there was nothing TO md
fault with. By going before the proper
authorities and making statements and
affidavits and delaying our voyage for
an investigation / doubt not that we
could have had DIR. Haxton removed and
secured competent man III his place.
The rub was, as / have heretofore ex-
plained. that such action would make
trouble for the bark. The authorities
had the power to cancel our charter and
transfer the prisoners with the voyage
half completed, and that meant heavy
loss and certain disgrace.
may tell you that before reaching
the Cape tine captain had very PLAN
talk with the doctor. That the man had
been trying 10 do his best no one could
doubt, but there was no hope that he
would prove himself the right man IN
the right place. With the officers OF the
ship backing him and assuming authorl-
ty such az a competent official would
not have permitted 1t was hoped we
might get through. 1t was all settled
before we sighted Table mountain that
no one ashore should get the slightest
inkling that everything with us was not
as we could wish for.
The man Thomas left US here, and
we felt il necessary TO get man In his
place. This duty was left to ME, and
set about il with the receive to make
no mistake. There were 80 sailors III
Cape Town anxious TO ship. and after
looking them all over / selected man
about 80 years old named Samuel York
He was an American and had been
third mate of a whaling ship. Owing
to a misunderstanding with his captain,
which he explained to his own benefit,
he had quit the ship when she put In at
the Cane. / sized him up TO be high
spirited but very decent fellow, and my
judgment was afterward confirmed by
\ Captain Clark.
York at first fatty and Indignantly
refused TO take the place, as i rather ex-
pected he would, the pay being small
and the occupation one which true sail
or considered degrading, but after Civ
ing the subject a days reflection he de-
cided to accept. He put IL on the
ground that he stood a better chance OF
getting ship at sydney or Melbourne
than at Cape Town. In taking that man
aboard / was making mistake which
/ should never cease TO regret, but when
one acts according TO his best Judgment
you can expect no more. i may tell you
here that York deliberately lied to me.
knowing that the chances OF exposure
/ were very slim He had been third
mate of whaler. but had been broken
and set ashore for insubordination-
Soon after landing he had engaged IN a
quarrel and had been out Of jail only a
day when came across him. In accept
ing the position he had plan in view.
Before leaving the Cape the iron
cages were carefully inspected and thor
oughly overhauled and a close search
made Of the prisoners Each convict
was Intercepted and examined as to
his state Of health. and not one OF them
had complaint to make. A first class
Indiaman could not have shown aclean-
or bill of health. No convict ship ever
resumed her voyage under more favora-
bic auspices. and for week was al
most care free. During this time had
kent . pretty Close watch ON the new
= - y