Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-01-13

"I'll not do another stroke of aOork."
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:
81 give you one minute to make up
your mind whether you will return to
your work or take Il flogging!'
"I'll not do another stroke of work,
and you can fog and be hanged to you'll
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 I want no trouble
with you. Return to your work or |
shall have to call the captain.
By this time I had been made aware
of the situation and at once advanced
upon the pair. Two of the sailors had
seized muskets from the rack at the
mainmast anu also advanced.
"What's wrong here?" l demanded as
I came to stop at the workbench.
"He refuses to 60 on with his work, "
replied the doctor.
SIS it so?" I asked of johnson.
"No," replied the man after few
seconds hesitation. "I've changed my
mind on that score"
He picked up his plane and resumed
work. and 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 fat
tered himself that he had overawed the
convict, but caught 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 convicts
that nothing was to be feared from the
doctor. The affair had to be passed over,
but there was note of warning in it.
1t was begun and ended in minute,
and only three or 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:
~ suppose you could depend Oh the
guards in case Of trouble with the pris'
oners?'
II hope So" replied.
II was wondering bit," he said as
he looked around in stupid way.
"Did you notice anything peculiar?'
"It might be peculiar and it might
not. I happened to be looking at Hooper,
| and I saw him wink at Johnson as you
started to come forward. What's the
good of the muskets without caps on the
nipples?"
"What do you mean?"
II mean that l took notice Of four
muskets which could not have been fired
if there was need Of it.
The seven guards did not have watch
and watch with the sailors. During the
day all were OH duty, and at night two
of them were posted below as sentinels
and relieved by others every two hours.
AS soon as / could get word with the
doctor l told him about the muskets.
He went forward in careless way and
looked around and returned to report
that every musket was properly capped.
This did not lead me to argue that Has
kell had been mistaken. On the COIL
trary, was satisfied that tie caps had
been slyly replaced when there was no
longer any danger. They could not have
been removed by accident. There was
evidently All understanding between a
portion of the guards that they would
not fire upon the prisoners in case of an
outbreak. l carried the matter to the
captain, as was my duty, and he was
for raising row at once. argued with