The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-12-30
hts. We have been slaves long

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so suddenly that he could not collec
his wits. As he stood like oDe beref
of ear and voice Hall continued:
''As you are part owner you belong
to the class which is eating out oul
lives. We have no use for you. Men
get the gig ready Now. then, Mr.
Refer, are you with ns or noe"
"Do you mean that you have taker
possession of the ships" 1 asked.
Exactly"
'.And what is vour programme"
"We have shaved for the company
long enough. We will now go into
business on our own account"
How"
"We have been robbed; we will rob
Others
At this the crew set up a loud
cheer, and it was evident that they
were with him to man. 1t was no
time for argument-to point oat in
consistencies. They had complained
of being oppressed; now they propos-
ed to oppress others. They had COM
plained that the company was piling
up money through the wear and tear
of their bone and sinew; they now
proposed to rob by force of arms.
They had complained that the com
pany was too rich; they now propos-
ed to amass all possible wealth. They
had declared that all property should
be in common; they now proposed to
dispossess all holders not strong
enough to beat them off.
Suppose should refuse to join
you? ?" asked.
Then you will be set afoat with
the captain.
81 prefer that to piracy"
Very well; you have made your
own choice Men, get ready the gig,
and put in water and provisions for a
week. We don't owe them any
grudge.'
1t was folly to think of resistance,
but the captain would have his say.
He abused each and every one of
them in good, round English, and
predicted that he would be present
when each one dangled at the end of
a rope. They simply laughed at him,
and in tho cou,ss Of half an hour we
were set afoat. The gig was furnish
ed with sail and pair of oars, ten
gallons of water, a bag of bread,
few cans of meat ard fruit. Each of
us was allowed to make up bag of
clothing, Eut were refused a compass,
chart, or anything else which might
aid us in steering a course. Both of
us were robbed of our watches and
money, and the captain was even dis
possessed of finger ring. The men
who had struck for their rights" had
no care for the rights of others.
1t was about an hour before sunset
when we were cast adrift We had
made good 500 miles to the south
west since leaving Bombay, and were
at least $50 miles from the Indian
coast. As the breeze was from the
east we headed to the south, while
the ship, which had been hanging in
the wind for an bonr, stood to the
north, her crew cheered over and
over again as she laid her new course.
1t was long half hour before either
one of us broke the silence. One
event had followed so swiftly upon
the heels of another that it was hard
to realize all that had occurred. I
steered the boat. and the captain sat
with his face in his hands for a long
time. Finally he looked up and
around to exclaim:
"D-n such a crew! If they had
mUtinied in the regular way, having
some reasonable excuse, 1 shouldn't
feel half so mean over it. To be beat
en- out of my ship by hair Drained
fool of mate, and that by talk alone,
makes me want to kick myself"
I'VE stand good show to be pick
ed up" | suggested.
eyes, fairly good, but as soon as
the wind will allow want to head to
the southeast. We are not over 200
miles from the Malabar islands"
The Malabar group extends for 500
miles along the coast, and comprises
such large islands as Lakadivh, Au
cutta, Minikoi and Horsburg Then
begins the Maedivh group, and ex
tends for another 500 miles, many of
the islands being thirty. forty and
fifty miles in length, with straits or
channels between them. But few of
them were inhabited at that time, and
hose only by fishermen and shell
hunters.
In an hour the ship was lost to our
view minded the boat for the first
half of the night, steering by the stars
and the feel of the breeze, and then
turned in while the captain stood
| watch. As the sun came up next
morning the wind hauled to the ives,
and became fresh, and while we had
to look sharply after the boat, she
flew ahead at pace which gave u:
an extraordinary run for the day
Only one sail was sighted, and thai
was too far away to give us any hope
The captain had the watch from 8 tt
II. and l had been on about an hour
when l heard the roar of breakers
and knew that our run was finished
Having aroused the captain, we de
cided to stand off and Oh until day
light appeared. and when it came h
recognized the island before US a
| tudl VI huCuttd, lEo ueAt Id IScct "
the Malabar group. We had made
} safe landing before sunrise, and whel
we had eaten breakfast we started on
together to investigate We wake,
up the southern shore about ten mile
and back without finding any trace o
} inhabitants. After dinner we heade'
to the north, and tramp of six mile
brought us to the limit and resulte'
in strange sight at the same time
The Lady Bliss was standing dow
for us from the north west W
found hiding place in the bushe
and watched hsr as she stood or
There was deep water to within ca
ble's length of the beach She short
, ened sail, passed the corner of th
/ island. and after running along th
north shore for a mile came to ancho
in thirty feet of water, and within
| Stono,S throw of fha hoacb Her an