Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-09-16
to the deck, the leader stopped the en-

tertainment.
Now, gentlemen" he said in his
serious voice, I'm called Pecos Tom,
and I've had considerable experience
in my time, but this is my fust with
human creatures so weak and thought
less that they'll drug and steal three
men without takin' their guns away
from them. And so on account of this
shiftless improvidence l reckon this
boat will have to turn round and go
back"
They rolled and kicked the two
mates to the rail, lifted the captain to
his feet and said
"Give the right and proper order to
yer men to turn this boat round.
With his face working convulsively,
Captain BelChior glanced at his cap
tors, at his eager, waiting crew, at the
wheel without a helmsman, at dark
ening of the water on the starboard
bow to the southwark, up aloft and
back again 10 the three frowning muz-
zles.
Zone hand to the wheel square IN
main and Gro jack yards, he called.
He was conquered.
With a hurrah, which indicated the
sincerity of these orders, the crew
sprang to obey them, and with fore
wards braced to starboard and head
sheets flat the ship Wilmington paid
off, wore around and, bringing the
young breeze on the port quarter,
steadied down TO a course for Sandy
Hook, which the captain with hands
released, but still under the influence
of those threatening pistols, worked
out from the mates dead reckoning
Then he was pinioned again, but al
lowed to pace the deck and watch his
ship, while the two officers were kept
under the rail, sometimes stepped upon
or kicked and often admonished OH
the evil of their ways.
Early passengers on the East river
ferryboats were treated to a novel
sight next morning, which they appre-
ciated according to their nautical
knowledge. A lofty ship with skysails
and royals hanging in the buntlines
and jibs failing ahead like flags was
charging up the harbor before hum
ming southerly breeze followed by an
elbowing crowd of putting, whlstIing,
snub-nosed tugs 1t was noticeable
that whenever a fresh tug arrived
alongside little white clouds left her
quarter deck, and that tug suddenly
sheered off to take a position in the
parade astern.
Abreast of Governors Island topgal-
laut halyards were let 90, as were
those of the jibs, but 10 Glowing up or
hauling down was done, nor were any
men seen on her forecastle deck get
ting ready lines or ground tackle.
She passed the Battery and up the
East river, craft of all kinds getting
out of her way, for it was obvious that
something was wrong with her, until,
rounding slowly to a starboard wheel,
with canvas rattling and running gear
in bights, she headed straight for a
slip partly filled with canalboats.
Then her topsail halyards were let go.
and three heavy yards came down by
the run, breaking across the caps, and,
amid a grinding, creaking and crash
ing Of riven timbers and a deafenlng
din of applauding tug whistles, she
plowed her way into the nest Of canal
boats and came to stop.
Then was hegira. Down her black
sides, by ropes and chain plates, to the
wrecked and sinking canalbOats, some
with bags or chests, some without,
came sailor men, who climbed to the
dock, and answering no questions OF
the gathering crowd Of dock lOungers,
scattered into the side streets. while
three men appeared on the rail, who
shook their fists and swore and shout
ed for the police, calling particularly
for the apprehension Of three dark
faced, lOng-haired fellows with big
hats.
In the light Of later developments
it was known that the police responded
and, with the assistance Of boarding
house runners, gathered in that day
nearly all Of this derelict crew. even
to the cautious boatswain, who were
promptly and severely punished for
mutiny and desertion. But the later
developments failed to show that the
three dark-fseed men were ever seen
again.
A Kansas farmer who simply could
not get harvest hands put this sign
,,,.,,, he fa,oa . HHarvast handa want