Evening star., 1897-01-09

with. His ship. the Wilmington, a sky
sail-yard clipper, rated by sailor men
as the hottest" craft under the American
flag. and Capt Belchior himself was spok-
en- of by consuis and commissioners,
far and near. a man peculiarly ulifor-
tunate in his selection of men, for, never
a passage ended but that he was up as
complainant against one or more heavily
ircned and badly used-up members of his
crew.
His officers were. in the language of one
OF these defendants, 20 the same breed G.
oorg. None others could or would sign
win him. His crews were invariably put
on board in the stream, or at anchorage;
never at the dock. Drunk when coerced by
the boarding masters into signing the
ships articles, kept drunk until delivery
for no sober men able to run would Join
her), they were driven or hoisted up the
side like anlmals-some in a stupor from
drink or drugs. some tied hand and foot,
struggling and cursing with returning
memory ard reason.
Equipped thus the Wilmington bound
Tor Melbourne discharged her tug and
plot on Sandy Hook one summer morn
ing and with fresh uuarteriny wind and
raising sea, headed for the southeast The
day was spent in getting her sail on. and
IN the Hcking into shape of the men as
last as they recovered their senses. Oaths
ana missiles flew about the deck knock
downs were frequent, and b. eight bells
In the evening, when the two mates chose
the Watches-much as boys choose sides in
WINGED that their masters lived aft
Three men. long-haired fellows. sprawIed
On the main hatch, helpless from sea-sick-
ness, We're left TO the last in the choosing.
anu then hustled into the light from the
nearby galley door 10 be examined They
mad been dragged from the forecastle at
the mates call for "All hands"
Call yourselves able seamen, I suppose"
ne SAID with an oath. as he glared into
their woe begone faces
No, pard,'' said the tallest and oI5as,
OF the three. in weak voice we're not
seanen: We don't know how we got here
neither" " -
The mates answer was fist blow under
the ear that sent the man headlong into
the scuppers, where he lay. quiet
say, sir when you speak to me- YOU
y hah1y-lesged Farmers. he snarled, glow
ering hard at the other two as they lean
ed against the water tank I'm pard 10
none of We"
They made him no answer and he turn
ed away In contempt. Mr. Tomm," he
watch?' ''"'
NO. sir" said the second mate; II don't
want en- They're no more use than
spare pump"
III make EN- useful fore I'm done with
en- Go forrard-you three Get the bile
out o yer gizzards fore mornn' f We
value yer good looks" He delivered a
VICIOUS KICK at each Of the two standing
men. bawled out: Relieve the wheel an
lookout-thatN do the watch" and went
aft, while the crew assisted the seasick
men 20 the forecastle and into three bed
iess ounks-oedless, because sailors must
iurnish their own and these men had been
''shanghaied."
The wind died away during the night.
and they awakened IN the morning with
men men seaslcKhess gone. and appetites, rave
nous Somber and ominous was their bear
ing as they silently ate of The brea akfast in
the forecastle and Stepped out on deck
win the rest in answer to the mates
roar: All hancs spread dunnage." Hay-
Ing no dunnage but what they wore. they
drew off toward the windlass and con-
ferred together while chests and bags were
dragged out on deck and overhauled by
the 7ffcers for whisky and sheath knives
what they found oi the former. they
board.
Where are the canal drivers" demand
ed the chief mate. he raised his head
from the last chest: where are our seasick
gentlemen. who sleep all night-what-
what he added. in a stutter of surprise
He was looking down three eight-inch
ed and held by three s-owling. sunburned
men, each of whom was tucklng with dis
engaged left hand. the corner of a shirt
INTO a waistband around which was strap
ped belt full OF cartridges.
Hands up" snapped the tall man:
hands up, every one of We. Up with EN-
over yer heads. That's right"
The pistols wandered around the heads
0 ~ tIo"u ana every hand was elevated.
. " mats this7 What dye mean? Put
those pistols down. Give them up. Lay
aft, there. some o. ye. and call the cap
tain. clustered the mate with his hands
held nigh Not a man stirred to obey The
scowhhS faces looked deadly in earnest.
Right about, face" commanded the tall
man March, every man. Back to the
other end of the boat. Laramie. take the
other side and round Up anybody ye see.
Now, gentlemen. hurry
Away went the protesting procession
and. Joined by the carpenter sailmaker
donkey-man and cook rounded up'' from
their sanctums by the man called Laramie.
II had reached the main hatch before the
captain. pacing the quarterback, was aware
OF the disturbance. With Captain Belchoir
to think was to act SprinR.ng to the hin