West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-04-15
CHAPTER XIV.


The Great Australian Blight" as il ia
sailed, is an indentation in the south
coast of Australia off what is known
as Nuyt's Land. Fifty miles of the
coast Is an island of about 25O acres
in extent called Victoria island. Tho
fact that wo had been spoken by only
one vessel since the mutineers took DOS
session, and that no others had even
been sighted as far rs we know, satisfied
US IN tho cabin that tho ship was drift
ing into tho blight. There was not set
Element on that coast at the time, while
tie natives wore extremely hostile, and
little was known Of them. Being, ~
we figured, out Of the track OF all sail.
ing cratt and the breeze still holding
from the south, it seemed certain that
the end Of our drifting must be "a wreck
on Il reef or the beach.
At 10 o'clock on the morning OF tho
fourth day after boing spoken by tho
Englishman we heard the mutineers
cheering and congratulating, and we
were satisfied that either the coast or an
island was in sight IN the course Of
half an hour white flag was raised
over the barricade, and Ben Johnson
appeared in sight to say:
Captain Clark, there is an island in
sight to the north. We can make out an
opening III the reef, but unless there is
hand at the wheel TO steer her through
the bark must strike and be wrecked"
well, what do you want to do?"
asked the captain.
There's "A bay inside the reef. IL
You'll come out and TAKE charge, we'n
Ibey orders and bring her to anchor in
The bay. Then we'll 90 ashore and give
you full possession. It's either that or
all hands will go to the devil when she
strikes the reef, and we are not ready
10 give up yet
The proposition was taken under Gd-
visenent and discussed. There might be
trick in it, but we Lad moro conf
deuce in ourselves than before. BY leav-
ing he women TO watch at the loopholes
below there would be respectable force
Of us together on dock in front Of the
cabin TO meet any rush with "a volluy.
II the bark struck the Jagged coral reef,
even with that small sea on, she would
grind to pieces in an hour and there
must be a frightful loss of life. 1t was
decided TO work tine craft into the bay.
The cabin doors were opened, and every
man OF us stepped out on deck prepared
for what might happen. Then the cap
tain said to Johnson:
If there is any trick in this, we are
prepared for you. Let sailor come aft
and take the wheel. Now put two or
three others at work TO overhaul the
ground tackle"
He then gave the necessary orders for
making sail and wearing the bark
pround until hor nose pointed at tho
opening in the reef. The island loomed
mp right before us, and bad there been
delay Of 10 minutes we should have
been on the reef. The mutineers obeyed
all orders with alacrity, and such Of
them as came aft Of the barricade were
respectful i'll look and demeanor. The
opening in the reef was not above 30
feet wide, and had we not been exactly
opposite tive should never have got in.
AS it was, we had TO go it blind. as the
saying IS, no one knowing what depth
of water we should find. What seemed
to be river, but what was really q
long and narrow bay, ran into the CEN
ter OF the island for distance of half a
mile.
There were two turns or elbows in
the bay, but once over the reef the bark
elided along until she was at length
brought up in 80 feet of water near tho
head Of the bay. On the west Of ug
were steep shore and deep water. On
the east there was clear strip If beach,
with the water gradually deepening
When tho anchor was down. the bark
would swing 10 the tide safely enough,
lint 4rr-f I, . r n
In other words, the distance between