West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-04-29
CHAPTER XVI.
a CHAPTER OF ADVENTURES.

t'udcs, you viii understand, aud before
Ne had been I'm the bay week we were
sawing mp some of tho planks from DO.
tween decks TO keep our fires going. The
Gay we buried poor Mrs. Saunders we
procured n small supply OF fuel from the
Shore, but there was little to be had
without going into the brush farther
than we cared to venture
On the sixteenth day of our STAY. ms
near as can come at il, and while il
was my watch aloft, Captain Clark
called out to know il any OF tho mutt
hcors were in sight could make out
ihree or -four Of them ON bare hill "a
mile on so away, but none nearer, and
1 so reported The captain then ordered
aquarter boat down, and he and Haskell
and Roberts went ashore after u suppIv
OF fuel. We were that pinohed ON board
that we had already resorte5 to barrels
and boxes which properly belonged to
the cargo. The plan was for tho captain
to stand guard while tho othor two used
tho axes aud carried the fuel 20 tho
boat, and those of us left aboard were
armed and vigilaut.
The two men had worked for an hour
when Captain Clark changed Oh with
Roberts. 1 kept my glass on the woods
around them, but l did not once get
sight OF a. nutincer. Winter though it
was. the dead leaves ard branches and
vines were so thick that l only caught
occasional glimpses of our own men. BY
and by the boat was well loaded. ard
Haskell and Roberts came down to her
ana stood waiting for the captain. The
pounds OF his ax could be heard Mt that
moment and whom they ceased we ex.
pected to see him appear in sight within
half minute. About five minutes slip
ped by, and then ! called down TO the
two mon TO go back into the bush and
see what had happened TEoy advanced
and were out Of sight when / got n
fleeting glimpse of Ben Johnson and an
other convict hurrying the captain across
Gn open space. Tho pair had crept up
through the bushes and surprised and
overpcweIed him.
/ called to the men and ordered them
aboard at once, and when it had become
known that the mon all were depending
on so much was "A prisoner to oar desuer-
ate enemies had all | could do to pro
vent the people FROM taking to the boats
and pulling away out TO sen. 1t was a
regular panic for time, and had hard
work 60 make them understand that the
lark had not yet gone out Of our pos
session. The capture occurred at about
10 o'clock i'll the morning, and from
that hour on to in tho afternoon the
weather was pretty fair. / spent most
OF the time aloft with the glass. At2
O'Clock the entire gang Of mutincers as.
sembled for council. The meeting
was in front of their tents, and. though
could not sec the captain, | had no
doubt that be was n prisoner in one Of
the tents or huts. The council lasted for
two hours, and, judging from the ges-
tures Of tbs men, there was much excite
ment.
Most Of our people believed that Cap
tain Clark would be put 60 death that
day, but natteIed myself 1 understood
the plans Of the convicts better than
that. He would be- a powerful weapon
in their hands, and they would use him
for all he was worth before taking hia
fife. | predicted that we would hear
from them before night and was not at
all surprised when Ben johnson appear
cd just ut dusk and hailed the ship. l
knew what he was after and had also
made up my mind as to the course to be
pursued
"Ahoy, there" called johnson ma be
stepped clear Ct the trees aud stood in
an attitude expressive Of defiance.
Well, what is it:'' / asked.
you know, Of course. we've got the
captain"
"Yes.
wen, what do you propose to do
fbout it?"
"What cun wo do?"
"You can save his life and all others
II you have got proper sense. Come
ashore, bring whatever you want, and
well give you Up the captain and 20
away in The bark. We've talked it over
with the captain, and the word he sends
by me is for you 10 do it. A."
And If We rcfuseT / asked.
Then you'll u fud his head lying right
where nay feet stand when daylight
comes tomorrow.
told him that the proposition had
come 30 suddenly that we were not NO.
pared to give an ohhand answer: that.
while we were willing TO make great
sacrifice to save the captains Iifs. I
could not speak for the passengers.
talked very civilly, as you may guess.
aud Tic point j gained was The one I
had in sight from the first. johnson
agreed - wait until tho next morning
for our decision and gave me his word
ST 'Aaror" that The captain should be
veil treated in tho meantime. AS IN
tnr giving up the bark and going
ashore, tle matter could not De conud-
erca OF moment lad knife been
J. .d at Captain CLARK throat La Eould
have advised against TO- Not one of us
would have been permitted 20 live 10
tell the story. Once $50 were out of The
way the follows would have had little
20 fer FROM r1rsai.
lai 20 f..u, tO work uudrr cover of
oarEHe-s. which q hoped uIghttou out
slcco".H.y, us Tor obvious reasons
Kept 81 sorrct as long po-l b'e had
been aloft so often that L believed +
could find my way % the muUue.r.'
camp on Zoo darkest night ord : pro.
posed going There alone and making au
attempt 60 free TIE captain and bring
him back wifh me- i bad a-yet told no
one w1r1 Nlry William came 90 me
and said:
Ralph. I know what you have plan.
ned tJ oo bot son rga.f s.I III. alrrr