West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-03-25
CHAPTER II.

THE MUTINY.
Tho captains decision was carried
forward to couvicts and crew, and /
booked for "a outbreak wishin an hour
Perhaps the reason it did not take place
was because they feared the whalcr
might show UP again. felt that it
would not long bo delayed, however,
and Captain Clark, Haskell, Williams
and Roberts agreed with me. Saunders,
Smith and the two single women stuck
C. the doctor, and thus we wcrc divided
into two factions.
The ship was never more quiet than
during the remainder of that day and
all through the night. The sailors were
prompt TO respond to every call, but
moved quietly and spoke in low tones
This might have been attributed 20
their fears of the pestilencc, but 1 real
lied that there was something back OF
that L had the watch Oh deck from g
TO ~, and noticed many little things
which satisfied Inc that if the whalor
nor other sail was in sight when morn
Ing broke the climax would come
When was relieved ny the second
mato at midnight, 1 had bit of talk
with him. His name, as don't remem-
Der to have told you before, was Cort-
rite. lie was n middle aged man, we'll
up IN his duties, and have said moth
ing OF HIM simply because J had not
taken him into my confidence. don't
mean that l lnistrusted him, bat that l
thought it wise 20 confine my suspicious
20 as few persons as possible as long as
they were only suspicious The meeting
In the cabin had of course brought him
n knowledge of the situation, aud there
was no doubt that he could be thor
Gughly depended on. The bo'su might
or might not be with us. When L asked
Cortrite his opinion OF things, be re-
piled:
'Mr Tompkins, il hadn't known
that you were watching tho ran Of
things L should have posted you bit.
It's my opinion that the two women
have been won over and that they have
also made "a tool OF the doctor. Ii there's
nothing in sight when the sun comes
up. then God help usi''
'Iou think there'll DO an outbreak-
mutiny?"
Tim as sure Of it rs that / stand
here. understand that we have arms
aboard. If might be bold enough, I'd
to come"
When / went into the cabin, / found
Captain Clark up and dressed and wait
ing for me. / told him what MI. Cort-
rite had said, and ho replied:
We can't begin too soon. You
quietly fasten OH the iron shutters while
overhaul the firearms.
1t was quiet night, with only
enough wind 10 give the craft storage
way, and fortunately for us the dolt Of
man Hawlcy was at the wheel from
midnight 10 ? o'clock. The provisions
for convicts and sailors were slowed for
ward Of the cages, as was also mum
Der Of the water casks. Those for cabin
use were slowed in the lazarotte, and
there were other water casks baliasted
between the bulkheads Of the passen-
gers cabins and the one hiding the aft
er iron cage from view You will re-
member that this bulkhead or partition
was pierced for musketry.
We could come at water and pro-
visions without leaving the cabin OF ex-
posing ourselves, and when we had tho
shutters up and the firearms ready for
service Captain Clark looked about and
said:
Ralph, We cannot only make n good
fight for i5 If attacked, but think tho
advantage will b. on cur side. Our
greatest care now will be TO guard
against any sudden rush aft"
Neither Of as turned in that night.
and both Of US were On deck at day
light. At sunrise a man was sont alOft
with a glass, but he swept the sea in
vain for sight Of sail. The fellow could
hot hide the exultant look in his eyes
as he came down and reported, and we
felt that the hour Of peril was close at
hand. The demeanCr OF the men as they
washed down the decks was defiant.
and bad the convict gangs come up AZ
usual the outbreak would have occurred
with the advent If the first. The cap
tain ordered that they remain below
until after the Doctors morning inspeo-
zion. IN view Of tho supposed tcstilence
this order did not seem 20 excite any
great surprise.
When the passengers gathered for
breakfast, all were surprised % observe
that the cabin had been put IN state
q defense. ! may add that Dr. Haxton
and those who sided with him were also
cynical and inclined 70 Joke about it.
A. the iron shutters were fitted inside,
hO ono forward could know about them.
We didn't want them 90 know, aud
kept watch Of tho two single women as
they went ON deck after breakfast.