Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-03-16


called out to know IL any of the mutt.
neers were in sight. ! could make out
three or four Of them on bare hill o
mile or 40 away, but none nearer, and
so reported. The captain then ordered
quarter boat down, and he and Haskell
and Roberts went ashore after q supply
of fuel. We were that pinched on board
that we had already resorted to barrels
and boxes which. properly belonged to
the cargo. The plan was for the captain
to stand guard while the ether two used
the axes and carried the fuel to the
boat, and those of US left aboard were
armed and vigilant.
The two men had worked for an hour,
when Captain Clark changed off with
Roberts kept my glass on the woods
around them, but I did not once get
sight of mutineer. Winter though it
was, the dead leaves and branches and
vines were so thick that / only caught
occasional glimpses Of our own men. BY
and by. the boat was well loaded, and
Haskell and Roberts came down TO her
and stood waiting for the captain. The
sounds of his ax could be heard ut that
moment, and when they ceased we ex.
pected to see him appear in sight within
half minute. About five minutes slip
ped by, and then called down to the
two men to go back into the bush and
see what had happened. They advanced
and were out Of sight when / got u
fleeting glimpse of Ben johnson and an
other convict hurrying the captain across
al open space. The pair had crept up
through the bushes and surprised and
overpowered him.
I called to the men and ordered them
aboard mt once, and when il had become
known that the men all were depending
ON so much was aprisoner to our desper-
ate enemies had all could do TO pre-
vent the people from taking to the boats
and pulling away out to sea. IL was q
regular panic for a time, and had hard
work 10 make them understand that the
bark had net yet gone out OF our pos
session. The capture occurred at about
10 o'clock in the morning, and from
that hour OH 10 in the afternoon the
weather was pretty fair. / spent most
of the time aloft with the glass. At
O'Clock the entire gang Of mutineers as
sembled for "a council. The meeting
was in front Of their tents, and, though
I could not see the captain, had no
doubt that he was prisoner in one OF
the tents OF huts, The council lasted for
two hours, and, judging from the ges-
lures Of the men, there was much excite
ment.
Most of our people believed that Cap
tain Clark would be put to death that
day, but fattered myself understood
the plans Of the convicts better than
that. He would be powerful weapon
in their hands, and they would use him
for all he was worth before taking his
life. / predicted that we would hear
from them before night and was not at
all surprised when Ben johnson appear
ed lust ut dusk and hailed the ship. /
knew what he was after and had also
made up my mind as to the course to be
pursued.
"Ahoy, therer' called Johnson as he
stepped clear Of the trees and stood in
an attitude expressive Of defiance.
"Well, what il it?" asked.
"You know, Of course, we've got the
captain.
"Yes."
"well. what do You propose to do
about it?''
"What can we do?"
"You can save his life and all others
II you have PCt lioper sense. Come
ashore, bring Lat, vcr you want, and
we'll give you up the captain and go
away in the bark We've talked it over
with the captain, and the word he sends
by me is for you to do it. -
"And if we refusei" asked.
"Then you'll find his head lying right
EEne my feet stand when daylight
60mes tomorrow.
told him that the proposition had
come so suddenly that we were not pre-
pared to give an offhand answer; that.
while we were willing TO make great
sacrifice to save the captains life, |
could not speak for the passengers. l
talked very civilly, as you may guess,
and the point ! gained was the one
had in sight from the first. johnson
agreed to wait until the next morning
for our decision and gave me his word
of "honor" that the captain should be
well treated in the meantime. As to
our giving mp the bark and going
ashore, the matter could not be consid-
cred for moment. Had knife been
held at Captain Clark throat he would
have advised against it, Not one Of rs
would have been permitted to live to
tell the story. Once we were out OF the
way the fellows would have had little
to fear from pursuit.
had plan, to work under cover OF
darkness, which hoped might turn out
successfully, but for obvious reasons
kept it secret as long as possible. had
been aloft 20 often that l believed l
could find my way to the mutineers'
camp on the darkest night, and l pro-
posed going there alone and making an
attempt to free the captain and bring
him back with me. / had as yet told no
one, when Mary Williams came to me
and said:
Ralph, know what You have plan
ned to do, but you must not go alone.
You believe You can find your way
through the forest without help. but you
cannot. You must get the bearings by
compass. and tonight you must have
compass with you. The captain is likely
to have been hurt and may need help to
get along if rescued. I shall go with
you'll"
When I heard the good girl speaking
after that fashion, Twas speechless with
surprise, but after bit pulled myself
together and answered her that we could
spare no men, and, as for taking o
woman ON such perilous jaunt, it was
not to be thought Of.
"But shall 60 with you'll" she stoutly
persisted. II will take one of the re-
volvers and small compass, and you
can arm yourself with the fowling piece
and another revolver. II worst comes to
worst, believe the two Of us will be
match for the whole gang, as they have
no firearms. 1t is needless for you to
raise objections, for if you go l goV
"But your clothesf" persisted.
"Why, Mary, the dress would be torn
of your back before we had crept half
q cables length"
II shall arrange about that sir; 70
20 ahead and make your plansp'