Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-03-17


laying pin. There was no stopping
them after that The second mate was
brought from his berth and flung over
board, and then the men had full pos
session. That was the end of the mu-
tiny as mutiny, however. Imean that,
having got rid of their officers, the men
did not let their passions carry them
further.
Under the directions of the Oldest sea-
men aboard the craft was stripped of
her canvas and left to lie in that situa-
tion until morning, and not even a
shout of rejoicing was INDUCED in. If
there was liquor aboard, the men did
not hunt for it. Now that the mutiny
had come to pass they talked freely in.
my presence, and one and all seemed
much cast down that they bad been
forced to make such move. There was
much talk as to what should be done,
but it amounted to nothing until after
breakfast next morning. Then every
body aboard the bark except the woman
and her daughter gathered aft for a talk
Two or three Of the passengers were
outspoken in their sympathy for the
men, and all others were at least neu-
tral. A the instance of the seaman who
had charge of the craft paper was
drawn up setting forth all the facts in
the case, and this was signed by both
passengers and sailors.
No one aboard knew anything about
navigation, and it was at first proposed
that we remain where we were and fly
a signal Of distress In. the course of
two or three days we were sure to be
sighted and relieved. This plan was
agreeable to all for a few hours, but
after awhile the mutineers began to
grow nervous and afraid No matter
what cause they had for mutiny, they
had taken three lives, and no matter
what testimony the passengers might
give British court would surely inf1ict
severe punishment There was really
po ringleader. One was as guilty as the
other, and all might expect the same
punishment. AS this came to be talked
over the men decided not to wait to be
taken prisoners and carried home for
trial If they would escape even tenn
porarily, they must get rid of their pas
sengers. How this should be done was
not settled without a further talk. The
passengers did not wish to go knocking
about the ocean in craft without off
GERS or navigator, and when it was sug-
gested that they take to the longboat
and make for the Azores, 800 miles
away, there was not much opposition.
Two of the single men knew something
about handling a boat, and the craft
they were to take was big enough to
hold twice their number Nearly the
whole day had passed before this de-
cision was reached, and then it was
agreed that no move should be made be-
fore the next morning. No fault could
be found with the behayHr of the men.
They did no work, as matter of course,
but were quiet and kept to their end of
the ship. Had we been overhauled on
that first day no resistance would have
been made, but as the hours slipped
away the men became more anxious to
avoid being taken.
During the night the longboat was
got over and fitted out. She was proVid-
ed with sailors, water, food, lanterns,
bedding and whatever could be thought
of for the comfort and safety of her oc-
cupants. The weather was pleasant the
season pacific and there was every
chance that the boat would land at the
Azores all right She left us about 8
o'clock next morning, all the passengers
going willingly and seemingly to be in
good spirits, and all the men shook
hands with each and every one of the
crew. When she was mile away, sail
was made ON the bark, and we headed
for the African coast 1t had been set
tied among the men to run into the
Moorish coast and wreck the bark and
take their chances. | was ordered to get
ready and 60 with the boat, but protest.
ed SO vigorously that was finally per-
mitted to remain, but the man with the
broken arm, who was still great suf
ferer and useless as sailor, was sent
off with the passengers.
For five days and nights after losing
sight of the boat we worked our way to
the east, but being short handed and
without officers the bark was kept un
der easy sail and her pace was slow. No
crew could have been more orderly or
agreed better. There was not even dis
pute, nor did any one suggest that the
cabins be looted of their stores and val
uables. The only idea advanced was to
reach the coast and get clear of any pur-
suit. On the morning of the sixth day,
xxytao CT oily 111c q
British man of war which was coming
up from Cape Town sighted us and be-
gan signaling No one aboard could
make out what she meant or answer
her, and as result her suspicious were
aroused and she made pursuit. We
packed on sail and stood for the coast
until her shot began to come aboard,
and then there was nothing to do but
surrender. Ten minutes after the
stranger was alongside our story was
known, and within half an hour all our
crew except me were in irons As to
the longboat, she was picked up next
day after she put off, and her people
carried back to England We were TAX
en- to London without a stop. On the
voyage a mutineer named Hawkins
committed suicide, but all others were
safely landed in court. The trial lasted
for days and days The passengers. or a
part of them, were on hand to give evil
dence in favor of the crew, and there
was much public sympathy expressed,
but was the only one who escaped pun
ishment. Two men got imprisoned for
life and all the others received SEN
tences of from to 5 years. AS was
only boy it was argued that could
have known nothing, and indeed all the
men testified that such was the case.
though some Of the jurors thonght that
my sticking to the ship was an act call
ing for some sort of punishment. Hard
as was the punishment of the men, had
we reached the Moorish coast and got
ashore their fate would probably have
been worse, as each and every one
would have been sold into slavery for
life