Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-06-16
CHAPTER Xxx.
Conference Of the Crew.

Some time elapsed before the poor
boy became sufficiently coherent to be
understood, but it would seem that on
hearing the first cry, which had
alarmed me, he sprang out of his
berth, which was at the foot Of the
companionway, and on looking into
the cabin, he saw by the night light
which swung in the skylight, the
Cubano, armed with bloody knife,
rush from the captains state-room
into that OF the mate, which was OPP
posite.
Another choking cry acquainted him
that Antonio had stabbed Hislop in Ills
sleep; and fearing that his own turn
would come next, he had crept into en-
empty cask which lay below the COM
panion-ladder, and remained there.
trembling with dread, until he took an
opportunity Of rushing ON deck and
Joining us.
This terrible revelation added 70 our
dismay.
We were now in a desperate predica-
ment, without a captain or mate to
navigate the brig, and at the mercy of
a well-armed desperate, to whom hon.
icide was a pastime; thus, all who
had handled him so severely on the
night we crossed the line began to feel
no small degree Of alarm for their
own safety, being certain that more
blood would be shed the moment he
came on deck.
All dressed themselves with the ut
most expedition and it was resolved
to hold council of war. Lambourne
was still at the wheel: and to be pre-
pared for any emergency, he resolved
to reduce the canvas on the brig. So
the royals were taken down, all stud
ding-sails taken in, and the topsails
were handed; all this was done as
quietly as possible, lest any sound
might arouse the 1iend who seemed
now to possess the Eugene.
Lambourne ventured to peep down
the skylight, when he saw Antonio
drinking brandy from a case bottle,
without troubling himself with a
glass. Then the spaniard proceeded
to attire himself in the best clothes
Of Captain Weston; he forced open
several lockfast places, and took from
them money and jewelry, which he
concealed about his person. What his
ultimate object could be in perform
ing these acts Of plumber on the open
sea, We could neither conceive nor
divine. but on CHANGING to glance up
ward. he caught a glimpse Of Toms
eyes peering down. Z.
There was IN explosion, crashing
Of glass and ball from revolver,
fired upward. grased Toms left ear
and pierced the rim Of his sou'-wester
as q hint that our Cubano had no in
tention Of being overlooked in his OPP
erations below.
We heard him close the cabin door
with q hang, and after locking it.
throw himself on the floor behind It,
with the intention Of sleeping, proba-
bly,, but with the full resolution that
NO one should enter without disturb
ing him; and In this way, after ex-
aiming his pistols he reposed every
night afterward while on board.
by lingo! I thought the killing O.
them birds would lead to bad luck
somehow" said Henry Warren, an
old foremast man, with q reproachful
glance at me, as he threw the two al
batrosses overheard.
We now held q solemn conference to
meet the emergency which was certain
to come anon, and to consider the best
means Of subduing and disarming the
culprit.
Whoever goes nigh him in the
cabin, either by the door or the sky
light, risks being stabbed or shot,
said Tattooed Tom; 80 We must 60 to
work some other way, shipmates, and
that other way must be considered =
1--WE might close and batten the sky
light and companionway, and then
starve or smoke him out, = suggested
one Of the crew, Francis Probart our
carrenter. 35.5s
Smoke him out? a. echoed Tom.
4 .'Ysa, . ~ a. SAta. 3
..By what !ss
sFill = bucket With spun yam ana
ii1sssed Aax, With anlpA ur aaa hilss
wRtGf that ~ IL u
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