West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-02-18

~ not 40 another stroke Of lDOTk.n
ing all, that he would not do another
stroke of work on the voyage. The doc
tor walked straight up to him and
bravely said:
give you one minute TO make mp
your mind whether you will return TO
your work or take fioggingp'
iii not do another stroke of work,
ard you can fog and be hanged toyour'
shouted the convict
The two men stood looking into each
others eyes for half minute. Then
DR.. Haxton began TO grow white around
the lips and presently said in coaxing
way:
Come, now, but 1 want no trouble
with you. Return to your work or L
shall have to call the captain. "
BY this time had been made aware
Of the situation and at once advanced
upon the pair. Two OF the sailors had
seized muskets from tho rack at the
mainmast and also advanced.
'Nhat's wrong here?' / demanded as
came to "a stop at tho workbench.
He refuses to go on with his work, "
replied the doctor.
is it so?' 1 asked of johnson.
mo, replied the man after few
seconds hesitation. eve changed nv
mind on that score. 4"
He picked mp his plane and resumed
work, end that was the end of it-that
is, he had accomplished his purpose.
he had tested the doctor and found him
lacking in courage. The right sort Of a
man would have called for guards and
irons and had Johnson's back barred to
the lash IN no time. DR.. Haxton fiat
tered himself that he had overawed the
convict, but caught a smile on John
sons face, which plainly exhibited his
contempt for the mans want Of nerve.
It was thereafter settled in his mind
and in the minds Of all the other conyicts
that nothing was 20 be feared from the
doctor. The affair had 70 be passed over,
but there was note OF warning in it.
lt was begun and ended in a minute,
and only three CT four Of the passengers
happened to be on deck at the time.
One Of these was Haskell, though had
not noticed him. Half an hour later he
found opportunity to say to me:
i suppose you could depend on the
guards in case Of trouble with the pris-
oners?''
81 hope so, - replied.
Il was wondering bit, ," he said az
he looked around in "a stupid way.
Did you notice anything peculiar?''
1T might be peculiar and it might
not happened to be looking at Hooper,
and ] saw him wink at johnson IS you
started to come forward. What's the
good Of the muskets without cops en- the
nipples?"
What DO you moan?'
II mean that i took notice Of four
muskots which could not have been fred
II there was need Of IL.
The seven guards did not have watch
and watch with the sailors. During tho
day all were on duty, and at night two
OF them were posted below as sentinols
and relieved by others every two hours.
rs seen as ! could get word with tho
doctor I told him about the muskefs.
he went forward IN q careless way and
looked around and returned TO report
that every musket was properly capped.
This did not lead me 90 argue that Has
kell had tesn mistaken. On the CON
trary, / was satisfied that the caps had
been slyly replaced when there was no
longer ony danger. They could not have
been removed by accident There was
evidently an understanding between a
portion u the guards that they would
not fire upon the prisoners in case Of an
outbreak ] carried the matter 20 the
captain, as was my duty. and he was
for raiging a row at once. argued with
him that ~ we had no positive proofs
the trap would be- sprung too soon, and
he finally gave in and aweed TO play
waiting game.
Now Tor tho first time I began 10 size
I'D each one Of the guards ] had hired
them all. and 40 the time they had
struck me ~ being q very decent lot Of
men. as looked them over now I won.
oered 90 my lack If perception. Aside
from Lardns, who had tho cut Of q
cunning rascal, there were three men
who bad che haDQdog look of villains.
f / cOuldn't bring myself to admit that +
+ bad ever engaged them. and after "a lit
I tle reflection ] solved the puzzle. Three
Of The meu I had engaged had been re-
glazed ~ thcsc three, probably being
paid 20 make the oochange J bad en-
gagged a one eyed man, for instance. I
remembered that another had p long
scar ca his check. a third bad fiery rad