Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-11

kept flying had evidently attracted at
tention. From the number Of boats on
the davits believed the brig to be a
whaler; but, if 80, she must have blown
inshore or had some business could
not we'll reason out. She showed no
colors, but took her to he German
or Dane.
turned my glass on the camp Of the
mutineers and saw them all running
down to the west shore in great haste.
hailod the deck and told Captain CLARK
what was going on, and he at once came
up to me. bringing the British ensign
and rife. Just as he got up a small
boat with four men in her pulled away
from the brig toward the shore. At the
same moment we saw such Of the mu-
tineers as wore the uniforms Of convicts
secrete themselves in the thicket, while
the sailors were pushed to the front.
"Ralph, we must block that game"
said the captain after look through
the glass. IF they take Off those men,
the brig will be seized, her crew muir
dered, and the mutineers will make OIL.
III set the ensign flying. and do you
load and fire the rifle as fast as you
can"
The boats crew had got within half
q cables length of the beach before our
signals were seen and heard. They could
see our flag over the tree tops, and the
reports of the rife must have been very
distinct. The boat was held steady for
three or four minutes, and then the brig
signaled for her return. saw q man
going aloft with a glass and was salts
fed that he could see me and would
make such report as would stop the
boat She pulled back to the brig, and
then came pulling along the west shore
until she opened the bay and got sight Of
US. We signaled for them to come in,
but they were evidently afraid Of a
trap, and when we lowered a boat to
pull out to them they at once took to
their oars and rowed for the brig. We
hoped her captain might investigate,
but he evidently became alarmed at
their report and swung his yards and
made sail. Had he come in to US, he
might have lent US few men to navi.
gate the Hindu down the coast, but in
driving him of we had at least baked
the plans Of the mutineers.
From the lookout aloft saw them
return to their camp They were wran.
Cling and quarreling, and many Of them
stopped to shake their fists in the direc.
ton of the bark. We expected another
visit from them en- masse, but they did
not appear. About midafternoon the
weather shut down again, accompanied
by rain, and aboard ship we settled
down into the old routine. We were
daily looking for the appearance of
man of war, and I think every man Of
us felt more hopeless and discouraged
that night than at any time since we
had been embayed. You can therefore
imagine our joyful surprise when, an
hour after midnight, we heard the boom
Of guns on the open ocean to the south.
That signified that the long expected re.
lief ship had arrived. From the moment
we got the report of her first gun up to
daylight we were up and down and on
the watch. We could make out her
lights and knew that she was lying to
for the day to break
1t seemed to us as if daylight would
never come, but when it finally did it
was glad sight which met our eyes.
There was the old Endesvor lying ont
there, carrying forty odd guns and a crew
Of over 200 men, and we had only made
her out when boat left her side and
came pulling into the bay. Captain
Clark was taken Off in her to make re-
port of our case, and soon after his ar
rival on board the Hindu her captain
sent us of four sailors and six marines
The latter were to relieve US Of our
guard duty and the former to help US to
get things shipshape preparatory to rum
ming out of the bay. just before noon
Captain Clark returned in company
with the first lieutenant Of the manof-
war, whose name was Robson. He had
heard the particulars Of our story, and
after introducing himself he rubbed his
hands in anticipation and said:
but it's all right now. OF course
you'll get help to take the bark to her
port Of destination, and Of course We'll
soon be after these fellows who have
caused all this trouble. They must know
of our arrival, and I'm looking for them
to come down and offer to surrender and
take their punishment.
At that very moment, though we did
not suspect it, the entire gang Of mutt
neers was concealed in the bushes near
by. They no longer hoped to capture the
Hindu, but Ben Johnson had worked
them up to such pitch Of desperation
that they were burning for revenge and
had armed themselves with large peb-
bles from the western shore. As soon as
we had the marines aboard we carried
our private firearms to the cabin, and
Lieutenant Robson and others of us
were strolling about the decks, when the
mutineers suddenly sprang out and be-
gan to lombard US with stones. Some
Of the marines were below, and those
on deck had to wait to load their mus
kets, and for couple Of minutes our
assailants had it all their own way. As
we were driven to shelter the lieutenant
was struck on the head and rendered
senseless, while none of the others of US
escaped injury. AS soon as the marines
opened fire the mutineers retreated, but
even with muskets leveled at his breast
Ben johnson stood up and defantly
ao;1.