The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-24
Striking the Commodore.


snip Ariel, just arrived under the COM
mand OF Commodore Paul Jones
Ihere were in the city many persons
who had never seen that remarkable man,
| among them Ben Wilson, trim, power
| full young Jack Tar of %, who had lately
married Susan Gray, humble but beau
tiful damsel of Is. There had been an
other sutton, also a sailor, named Thorn
as Wright, who hated Wilson because
susan had preferred him. and who, being
| OF cruel, malicious disposition, longed
TO do him some injury.
Ben shipped aboard the Ariel, that he
might serve under the renowned hero.
Learning that Ben had shipped. Wright,
who like the former. had never seen
Jones. also became one of the AriePs
crew. Neither however, could yet get
sight Of the commodore, who was absent
would not be back for a week
In few days Wright was chosen to
act in the place of the boatswain's mate
who was at the time Ill. His duties. be-
sides blowing on the CALL ETC., now being
20 punish with the colt-a coil Of rope
from two to three feet long-and also
with the cat-o'-nine-tails, usually termed
the cat" such Of the sailors as "of-
Tended" against the rules of the ship
he ardently hoped that he might yet have
chance to fog with his cruel lash the
man he hated for winning pretty SUI
san.
One day some Of the crew were grant
ed permission to go ashore. They were
ordered to return TO the ship at o'clock.
The boatswain's mate, Wright, and Ben
Wilson, were among them.
Unfortunately, Ben drank, and in a
state of partial intoxication ne visited a
few minutes before o'clock, when ne
should have repaired to the boat the
Dolphin-a tavern not twenty yards from
the landing. Here the landlord accommo-
dated him with a glass of brandy. which
the young man lifted high, saying at the
same time, in a loud voice:
"A health to Commodore Paul Jones'"
Then he left the place, not to go TO the
boat, but intending to seek some other
tavern.
1t was a dark night. but by the bright
light streaming through the windows Of
the house Ben could see a middling-sized
broad-shouldered man, enveloped in q
shaggy overcoat, watching him with
mingled expression Of stern approval and
amusement on his broad, weather-beaten
face
Hold there, my man." said this person,
laying a hand on his shoulder. whats
your name, and what ship do you be-
long to?''
My name? Why, now, my name is
Ben Wilson, and my ship is the Ariel,
L
1t is Of yours"
ut is time you went to the boat. You
will get yourself into trouble If you don't
go in time. Bear a hand"
"Ay, ay, all very well, sir, but I amt
ready yet, do you seer"
Come, you must CO." and the hand
on Wilson's shoulder pressed It heavily.
Let go of met cried Ben, angrily, but
the other. half smiling. gripped him yet
more firmly.
Then Ben made a blow at his, which the
man parted, when a struggle ensued. Ben
fought his best, but the man at length
succeeded in grasping him round the arms
from behind, in which position Wilson
was literally carried to within few faith
oms Of the boat, when, seeing a number
of the sailors approac ching, the stranger
released his hold and laughing made off
in the darkness.
Its lucky you came when you did,"
said the cOxswain. I'VE wouldn't have
waited for you many seconds longer"
81 wouldn't have been here II old Nick
or somebody like him hadn't brought me-"
was the reply.
Just then the boatswains mate, Wright,
who had been an unseen witness of the
struggle toward its termination, but who,
in the gloom, had not been able to obtain
A good view of the strangers face, made
his appearance, coming in the same direc-
ton in which the man had vanished.
TT was l." he whispered to the cox
swain, who brought Wilson. He attack
ed me near the Dolphin, because I re-
quested him TO go to the boat l had
to let him loose when I got him almost
here, and run. as you saw, for I was
afraid he would stab me-
The boats crew was soon aboard, when
Wright lost no time in reporting that
he had been attacked and struck by VIII
son. This the latter denied, of course,
saying 1t was a citizen and a stranger
with whom he had had his combat, but he
was not believed.
The court-martial was held the next
day, when Jones arrived on board, Will
son being still kept in the brig. whence
he could not see the commodore. There
was a singular expression on the face Of
Paul Jones when the court-martial was
ended, and the sentence of the prisoner
100 Iashes on the bare back with the
cat-was pronounced.
The next morning was appointed for the
execution of the sentence. When the time
came, the master-of-arms brought up the
prisoner and took off his irons. On one
of the gratings. placed just forward OF
HE gangway, he was made TO stand, his
feet being fastened with worrning and
his hands secured, wide apart to the bull
warks Along came Wright. scarcely able
10 conceal mis- exultation as he drew the
cat from its sheath and lovingly stroked
the strings.
GO one, boatswain's mate" said the
captain.
Wright lifted the Iasn on high. but at
that moment the voice of Paul Jones.
who now appeared, doomed Ike thunder
on his startled ear:
Hold! Avast, you rascal?
And he stepped round, so that Wilson
could Sc him. The young sailor looked up
at him with a start, then colored, then
turned pale
Commodore he stammered IL
my God. siri-I was little in liquor on
that nfgth. but I recognize your face. Il
was YOU who took hold OF me there by
the Dolphin tavern, and carried me almost
10 the boat. God knows I would not have
struck at you had I known who Il was"
Enough" answered the latter; Il for
give you
Then he turned on Wright.
The court-martial was a farce cor
rinued Paul Jones II wanted 70 see II
his Wright would really have the heart
TO carry out his falsehood- Now cut
loose that man Wilson and put Wright in
his place. Give him a round dozen, then
let him be broken and put IN the after
guard" y
The commodore's orders were ooeyed-
Wright, with every man aEalIlst A-.i a.
ter rms. led such an unhappy lie aboard
he Ariel that he attempted one night to
desert from the ship When in the water
he was seen by q marine on guard and
ordered to come back. but not oaeying:
he was shot through the head and
killed.
As - Wilson. Never after that, great
y 70 he Joy OF his pretty VIE Sls11
would he touch another drop % a4coho4-
-
General Frederick Funston