Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-04
CHAPTER XIV.
WE REACH AN ISLAND.

1.-THE Great Australian Blight" rs it is
called is an indentation in the south
coast of Australia off what is known
as Nuyt's Land. Fifty miles off the
coast is an island of about $50 acres
in extent called Victoria island. The
fact that we had been spoken by only
one vessel since the mutinecrs took pos
session, and that no others had even
been sighted as far rs we knew, satisfied
us in the cabin that the ship was drift
ing into the blight There was not a set
tlement on that coast at the time, while
the natives were extremely hostile, and
little was known Of them. Being. AS
we figured out Of tho track Of all sail
ing craft and the breeze still holding
from the south, it seemed certain that
the end Of our drifting must be wreck
on Il reef or the beach.
At 10 O'Clock on the morning of the
fourth day after being spoken by the
Englishman we heard the mutinecrs
cheering and congratulating, and we
were satisfied that either the coast or an
island was in sight. In the course Of
half an houl "a white flag was raised
over the barricade, ard Ben Johnson
appeared i'll sight to say:
Captain Clark. there is an island in
sight to the north. We can make out an
opening in the reef, but unless there is
hand at the wheel to steer her through
the bark must strike and be wrecked y
"Well, what do you want to do:'
asked the captain.
"There's bay inside the reef. If
you'll come out and take charge, We'll
obey orders and bring her to anchor in
the bay. Then We'll 60 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
to give up yet.
The proposition was taken under ad-
visement and discussed. There might be
trick in it, but we had more conf
dence in ourselves than before. By leav
ing the women to watch at the loophoes
below there would be a respectable force
of us together on deck in front of the
cabin to meet any rush with volley.
If 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 the 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
around until her nose pointed at the
opening in the reef. The island loomed
up right before US, and had there been a
delay Of 15 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 in look and demeanor. The
opening in the reef was not above 40
feet wide, and had we not been exactly
opposite it we should never have got in.
AS it was we had to 60 it blind, as the
saying is, no one knowing what depth
of water we should find. What seemed
to be a river, but what was really
long and narrow bay, ran into the CEN
ter of the island for a distance of half a
mile.
There were two turns or elbows in
the bay, but once over the reef the bark
glided along until she was at length
brought up in 80 feet of water near the
head of the bay. On the west OF us
& were a steep shore and deep water On
the east there was clear strip of beach,
with the water gradually deepening
When the anchor was down, the bark
would swing to tho tide safely enough,
but with no more than so feet to spare.
In other words, the distance between
her stern and the shore was only bis
cult toss When the anchor was down
and everything aloft made snug, John.
son mounted the barricade and said:
Captain, we are going ashore. We
gave you the test fight we could, but
were beaten. If you want to take the
bark out, mono of us will raise hand
in opposition. If you want to come
ashore, no one shall molest you. In the
end a man-of- war will come for us, but
meanwhile we shall enjoy ourselves. y
"And what do you want in return tor
that fine speech.' asked the captain.