Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-02-23

curing tine remainder OF that DAY ana
all through the night. The sailors were
prompt to respond to every call. but
moved quietly and spoke in low tones
This might have been attributed to
their fears Of the pestilence, but I real
lied that there was something back Of
that had the watch ON deck from 8
10 l2, and noticed many little things
which satisfied me that IL the whaler
nor other sail was in sight when morn.
ing broke the climax would come.
When / was relieved by the second
mate at midnight, ! had bit Of talk
with him. His name, as don't remem-
Der to have told you before. was Cort.
rite. He was middle aged man, well
mp in his duties, and have said moth
ing of him simply because ] had not
taken him into my confidence. / don't
mean that mistrusted him, but that
thought il wise to confine my suspicious
to as few persons AZ possible as long as
they were only suspicious The meeting
in the cabin had Of course brought him
o knowledge of the situation. and there
was no doubt that he could be thor
oughly depended ON. The bo'sun might
or might not be with us. When ! asked
Cortrite his opinion Of things. he re.
piled:
"Mr. Tompkins, IL hadn't known
that you were watching the run Of
things I should have posted you bit.
It's my opinion that the two women
have been won over and that they have
also made tool OF the doctor. II there's
nothing in sight when tho sun comes
up, then God help us!'
"Iou think there'll DO an outbreak
q muhnyg'
I'm as sure Of it IA that stand
here. / understand that we have arms
aboard. II might be bold enough, I'd
advise you to make ready for what is
to come. F"
When went into the cabin, found
Captain Clark up and dressed and wait
ing for me. told him what MI. Cort-
rite had said, and he replied:
I'VE can't begin too soon. You
quietly fasten OH the iron shutters while
/ overhaul the firearms.
1t was quiet night. with only
enough wind TO give the craft steeiage
way, and fortunately for us the dolt Of
man Hawley was at the wheel from
midnight to o'clock. The provisions
for conyicts aud sailors were slowed for
ward Of the cages. as was also num-
Der Of the water casks. Those for cabin
use We're slowed in the lazarette. and
there wero other water casks ballasted
between the bulkheads Of the passen-
gers cabins and the one hiding the aft
er iron cage from view. You will re-
member that this bulkhead OF partition
was pierced for musketry.
We could come at water and pro-
visions without leaving the cabin or ex-
posing ourselves, and when we had the
shutters up and the firearms ready for
service Captain Clark looked about and
said:
Ralph. We cannot only make good
fight for it if attacked, but think the
advantage will be on our side. Our
greatest care now will be to guard
against any sudden rush aft >"
Neither Of us turned in that night,
and both of us were on deck ut day
light. At sunrise man was sent aloft
with glass, but he swept the sea in
vain for sight Of sail. The fellow could
DOT hide the exultant look in his eyes
as he came down and reported, and We
felt that the hour Of peril was close at
hand. The demeanor Of the men as they
washed down the decks was defiant,
and had the convict gangs come up AZ
usual the outbreak would have occurred
with the advent Of the first. The cap.