Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-09-16
your watch ?"

"I'll make EN- useful fore I'm done
with EN-. Go ferrard, you three. Get
the bile out of yer gizzards fore morn
in if ye value yer good looks" He
delivered vicious kick at each Of the
two standing men, bawling out, "Re-
lieve the wheel and lookout; that'll
do the watch" and went aft, while the
crew assisted the seasick men to the
forecastle and into three bedless hunks
-bedless because sailors must furnish
their own, and these men had been
"shang-haied."
The wind died away during the
night, and they woke in the morning
with their seasickness gone and appe-
tites ravenous. Somber and ominous
was their bearing as they silently ate
of the breakfast in the forecastle and
stepped out on deck with the rest in
answer to the mates s roar, "All hands
spread dunnage," Having no dun
mage but what they wore, they drew
off toward the windlass and conferred
together while chests and bags were
dragged out on deck and overhauled
by the officers for whisky and sheath
knives. What they found of the form
er they pocketed, and Of the latter
tossed overheard.
"Where are the canal drivers?" de-
manded the chief mate as 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 barrels of three heavy Colt revolv-
ers, cooked and held by three scowl-
ing, sunburned men, each of whom
was tucking,with disengaged left hand,
the corner of a shirt into a waistband,
around which was strapped beltful
of cartridges.
Hands upl" snapped the tall man.
Hands up, every one of you. Up
with 'em-over yer heads That's
right" The pistols wandered around
the heads of the crowd, and every hand
was elevated.
Whats this? What d'you mean
Put those pistols down Give them
upl Lay aft, there, some of you, and
call the captainl" clustered the mate,
with his hands held high. Not man
stirred to obey. The scowling 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 any
body you see. Now, gentlemen, hur-
ry."
Away went the protesting procession,
and, joined by the carpenter, sailmak-
er, donkey man and cook, rounded
up" from their sanctums by the man
called Laramie, it reached the main
hatch before the captain, pacing the
quarter deck, was aware of the dis
turbance. With Captain Belchior to
think was to act. Springing to the
cabin skylight, he shouted Steward,
bring up my pistols Bear hand
Lower your weapons, you scodndrels
This is rank mutiny.
A pistol spoke, and the captain s
hat left his head. "There goes your
hat" said voice; "now for button.
Another bullet sped, which cut from
his coat the button nearest his heart.
"Come down from there-come down,
said the voice he had heard. Next
shot goes home. Start while | count
three. One-two"- Captain Belchior
descended the steps. Hands up,
same as the rest" Up went the cap
tain's hands. Such craftsmanship was
beyond his philosophy. "Pache, went
on the speaker, "go up there and get
the guns he wanted" The steward
with two bright revolverS in his hands
was met at the companion hatch by a
man with but one, but that one was sc
big and the hand which held it was
so steady that it was no matter of sur,
prise that he obeyed the terse COM
mand, Fork over; handles first.
The captains nickel-plated pistols
went into the pockets of Pache's coat
and the white faced steward, poked in
the back by the muzzle Of that big fire.
arm, marched to the main deck and
Joined the others.
go down that place, Pache, and
chase out anyone else you find, called
the leader from behind the crowd
"Bring em all down here" Pache de.
scended and reappeared with fright
ened cabin boy, whom, with the man
at the wheel, he drove before him tc
the steps. There was no wind, and
the ship could spare the helmsman.