Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-01
A MAD CAPTAIN.
BY CHARLES b. LEWIS.

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On the Sd of October, in the year 1860.
the British bark Arab left the mouth OF
the Ganges for a run to Liverpool, and
That was the beginning Of as strange a
voyage as a vessel ever made. She was a
small and tidy craft, carrying a crew of IL
men, and Captain Thomas johnson had
sailed her for five years, and was account.
ed a thorough seaman and reliable in all
respects. He was then about 40 years old,
and there were few men on land or sea
who were his match in strength. A dead
weight which two sailors could not move
at all did not seem to call for half his
muscular powers, and at a pull on a rope
he could drag any three of his crew across
the deck. We had been lying at Calcutta
two months before the start for home, and
during the last two weeks Of this time the
captain had been ashore and left things
entirely to Mr.. Samples, the mate. He
came aboard only a few hours before we
sailed, and the four or five men in the
crew who had sailed with him before no.
ticed q change in him. He was moody
and sullen and fault finding, and there
was o change in his voice, which grated
harshly. Instead of overseeing things, he
retired to his cabin, and it was only when
we were clear of the river that he came on
deck. Then he had very little to say to
his mates, and his conduct was SO unlike
him that there wa a good deal of talk fore
and aft.
This was my third voyage in tho Arab.
I had been entered on the first as cabin boy
and on the second and third as an appren-
tice, although I still had certain duties to
perform in the cabin. I thus saw more of
the captain than any one else, and perhaps
had moro speech with him. We were
scarcely out of sight of land before I found
him weeping. An hour later he detained
me to hear a droll story, and he laughed
over the climax with seeming heartiness.
His sleep was broken at night, and during
the day he prowled about like a Gagged ami
NAL. ! couldn't make him out at all, and
others were equally puzzled, and we passed
three very uncomfortable days and nights
before anything particular happened to ex-
plain matters.
On the morning Of the fourth day, as
the men of the morning watch were wash
ing down the decks and as a large ship
was approaching us from the south, Cap
tain johnson came on deck only half
dressed, and without a word to any one he
ran up a signal Of distress with his own
hands. Then he ordered sail reduced and
the bark brought to the wind, and when
Mr.. Samples asked what was wrong he re-
ceived M reply.
The stranger, who proved to DO all
American, was brought to the wind with
in a cables length of us, and Captain
johnson went off to her in a boat. He
told the American that his mates had
threatened his life and he wanted protec-
ton. The stranger returned with him,
questioned mates and men and advised |
that tho Arab return to Calcutta. 1t was |
his opinion that Captain johnson was
crazy, and u continuance of the voyage
would be almost certain to lead to disaster.
The advice was good, but the trouble was |
to follow 1t. The captain of a mun-of-war
could have acted according to his judg-
ment, but when it came to the mates tax
ing possession of the ship and restraining
their superior officer it was a different
case. Unless a court decided that the cap
was really insane such action on their
part would land them in prison. Tho per-
son of a captain at sea is about as sacred
in the eyes of the law as that of a king on
his throne.
While Captain johnson did not hear
what the American proposed, having re-
to his cabin as soon us he returned
aboard, he suspected that he was being
plotted against. He called me down to
him and said that the mates intended to
his life and then turn the Arab into
pirate craft. An old woman had put him
his guard when ashore, and he had pre-
pared for trouble. Ec ordered me to get
out q box which was stored In his room,
and when l had opened it | found that it
contained six reyolvers and q thousand
cartridges to fit. BY his direction l loaded
Ill tho weapons, and he placed two Of Thorn
his pockets and said he would kill the
irst man who laid hand on him. We went
IN deck together. The American had re-
'uined his course, while our " craft was
wing to. h captain took out one of the
PISTOLS and walked up to Mr.. Samples and
said:
II am master Of this craft. She is bound
o Liverpool, and to Liverpool she will 90.
nave my eye on you and all others, and
ne first move made against me will result
n the death of every man aboard. Get
he bark on her course, sir, and say to the
AOV VhoV VhS SoiiSPiANCy 10 uAsCOStFtNt ana l
ny preparations made to take care of my
elf
There was only one thing to do-obey.
The yards were running, the Arab headed
. her course, and after promenading up
nd down for an hour tho captain went
Glow and locked himself in his room.
While / watched at the conlpanionway, the
Mates and two or three of the Oldest men
onward held a conversation. While all
'ere agreed that the captain was queer
his conduct, it was also agreed that no
nuld not be interfcrcd with unless his
menaced tho safety Of ship and
row. There was hope that he might grow /,
otter, and IT was understood that be was
OF to hc interfered with unless he became J,
positive menncc. The next four or five
avs passed without Incident of impor. I
mos. The navigation was left entirely to
L. Samples. During most of tho day
aptain johnson stuck to his cabin, some
mes sleeping for three or four hours at q
reich anti again sitting with folded hands I
70 gazing into- vacancy. At night he !
onld paco tho deck for hours at 4 time. '
with bent head and stopped :
and seeming to BE- utterly obiiv- Z
us Of all surroundings. He spoke to NO .
)R. eUNU'S;:s;:: ,