West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-03-11

the smooth way in which things were
going l had never been more anxious.
We had favorable winds and reelcd
OIL the Knots for 20 days after leaving
The Cape, and then we. got calm. fol-
lowed by gale from the south. On the
very first day of this unfavorable wealth
er Captain Clark was struck down by a
block falling from aloft and so severely
injured that ho was good for week be-
low. This left fhe whole burden on my
shoulders. l don't wish to put forward
my Importance, but feel that | should
relate things just MS they happened.
The result Of the sou,heIly y lie vas
that we were driven n long way 20 the
northward of our course. When the gale
finally broke and got an observation
and verified it by dead reckoning, l
found that We We're $50 miles off our
true course When this information was
given TO the captain, who was then only
able Co sit up for half an hour at "A time
he replied:
well, Ralph, that il not much to
complain Of, rs the bark came through
all right. Tho wind has come right at
last, and two or three days will put US
back on the right track ="
During the storm there was nothing
to complain Of in the conduct OF sailors,
guards or convicts. l was trusting Has
q kcll to keep his eyes open and give me
any news worth communicating, but Inc
brought me none until tho bark had
been headed down to tho southeast
Then he found opportunity at night TO
say TO me:
Il can't make out that fellow York
L have watched him with increasing
vigilance. but havo failed TO trim him
mp, though there are many things to
arouse my suspicious. He has an influ
ence with the crew littlo short of mag.
netic. Men who didn't like him at nil
are his best friends now. L am the only
one of the guards no hasn't made
friends with"
does he talk much?" [ queried.
Very little, as far rs have observed.
and get L believe he does II grcut deal IF
1t. Some of the men arc talking about
the goldfields and others of lifo on an
island, and l believe tho fellow is work
ing up to some climax Did you know
that he and Miss Foster have quito fall
Ell IN love with each other during the
past week."
lis it possible?'
and, queerly enough, Miss White
told me to my face this morning that
she didn't believe Ben Johnson guilty
OF the crime or deserving OF the punish
ment. Size seems to have great admit
ration for him, even if it is not some.
thing stronger. l think we had best
keep an eye on them as we'll rs the peo.
pic forward, Mr.. Toulpkins. "
L thought so, too, and determined
that Mary Williams should assist us
A few hours later, whom | found oppor-
tunity TO speak to her, / told her Of
Hasllell's observations and suspicious,
and she replied.
II think it at least very queer. Mr..
Tompkins. Up TO tho hour we left the
Cape both young women seemed TO
make every effort 10 win my friendship
Since then they have almost avoided
me, and have been troubled for fear |
unwlttingly gave offensc. SO far as I
know and can Judge both are intelH.
gent, respectable girls, and why they
should pursue this singular course is
more than l can understand "
further learned from her that Miss
Foster had been quito "tEicll' with DR..
HaXton and spent moro or less time in
the dlspensary, and though Mary had
no opinion 10 offer it was plain to mo
that she was anxious and uneasy.
Mr.. Tomplius," she said ~ I was
about to turn away, every prcctution
has been taken against revolt, and the
discipline so far as 1 can Judge has been
Increased rather than abated, but Of
course il is possible that trouble may
come. If the cCnvicts were plotting re.
volt, how would they bring it about?p
That is what worries me" / re-
pied "and why l sought your assist
ance. While everything seems 10 DO go
ing right there is no telling what infu-
cnces are 40 work. II we had the riubt
sort Of "a doctor aboard and If hadn't
shipped that man York, / should feel a
great deal easier about things Should
there bee q revolt il is hard 10 say lust
how IL will come. 1t may be at night.
when most of Us are asleep and totally
unprtpared, or 10 may come when one
o. ihe gangs is on deck for exercise or
work
"ird suppose tho conyicts overuower
guards and crow and get possession Of
the barks
Then Cod help as. BON Johnson as
tho leader, would have his say about
things Tho captain, Haskell. myself
aud Others would not live al. hour after
ho took command, and a8 for you and '--
She stopped ms with q gesture and
quietly said:
81 viii assist you i'm any way ] can.
tCHn W fIn other rtrr.In -..rr4 90 1.a