Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-06-30

say you, frlendS?" he concluded, turn
ing to us. Have you a message of
another sort %
What manner of terms does Master
Pradey offer?" spoke up Mr.. lynn,
somewhat to my surprise.
HE will spare your lives and give
you good treatment" answered the
sailor. 1t seemed to me that he spoke
something eagerly.
"Of what sort are the mates plans 2"
The man hung little in the wind.
There you have me out of sound
ings, SIR he said at last. "You will
need to ask Master Pradey."
'I have done with him." said the SUI
percargo, turning with an Indifferent
air 10 the captain. 81 did but try
him"
''And I wish not even to go to that
limit said I.
"Hark'ee, fellows" cried Capt. Sell
linger, sternly. ''Begone, and tell that
lobscouring villain to do as he lists.
We will neither trust him nor hold
further parley with him"
The men received the message in si-
lence, and presently we heard them re-
tire, and the glimmer of their 1anthorn
died out.
81 think they will now leave US in
peace for little" said Mr.. lynn, with
the remark sheathing his sword. ''They
have found they can neither overbear
us, and till they think of something
new will of necessity do nothing"
81 hold the same,'' said the captain,
"and my council is that we take adj
vantage of the lull, and catch a little
rest
with all my heart" said the super
cargo. Let us be about it." He
yawned prodigiously, but added, laugh
ing: II am not so worn out as I seem.
Twas but lazy trick of youth"
/ felt much encouragement and, in
a sort, relief at his manner. The strain
till now had been great, and my cour-
age, in some wise, had begun to flag.
In truth, 1 was new at such business,
and had not learned that steadfast-
ness and command over my nerves that
were to come with future experience.
We were now ready to arrange our
watches, and it only remained to de-
eide who should first stand and who
turn in. We settled this after little
argument by my being chosen for the
watch below (using the nautical
phrase, though in strictness it scarce
~ applied), and l accordingly selected
the mates cabin, and stretched myself
in the bunk.
l cannot say how long | slept. but l
know L was awakened at last by a
sound of crashing wood, and on start
ing up found the ship almost without
motion and few faint day streaks
coming in at the window. was on my
feet straightway and caught up my
hanger and pistol. What had hap
pened 1 could not conjecture, but it
must be something of import. Iheark-
ened for an instant, but there was no
repetition of the sound, and without
tarrying longer l flung open the door
and rushed out. My friends were on
their feet. sword in hand, and by the
cooking of their heads were in the act
of listening.
what is ?" 1 cried what is do
ing?"
Nay, we know not for a certainty
replied Mr.. lynn coolly, but by the
noise it is the splintering of boats
SIS it not light enough to scan the
deck?" I asked. Il think there be
cracks in the door sufficient to see
through"
I'VE tried but now, and could dis
cover nothing" answered the super
cargo. yet no harm to make fresh
attempt
With this ] stepped to the door and
applied my eye to the chiefest crack.
1 thought l caught glimpse of some
shadowy figures. Stimulated by the
discovery, 1 boldly drew away the fas-
tening and peered out, INSTANTLY dis
covered two or three forms fitting
about the bows, and as 1 looked saw
one mount the bulwark and drop over
In a moment it came to me what was
doing. The mutineers were DESERVING
the ship; I flung the door wide and
made a significant gesture to my com
panions. They were beside me in q
twinkling, and on beholding the de.
serted deck tumbled unhesitatingly
out. l was at their heels, and we con
tinued to the confines of the quarter
deck, where we fetched up and looked
around. All was indeed clear. Poop
| afterdeck, midships, and foredeck-
not a soul to be seen.
My companions had mounted the
| bulwark and were bending over, ant
| the captain was wagging his head ano
| pointing at some thing over the quar-
| ter. I was at no loss to guess what il
! was. and upon running a bit one side
| and looking past the poop 1 made GER
| tain. 1t was, in fact, the escaping
| mutineers.
They were all in one boat-the ship:
| lnnn hnaf-ond nv the aid Of
oars were drawing pretty fast to wind
ward. l could not stop to make more
of them than this, for the ship was nov
all ways in the wind, and l fastened tt
| fetch her, upon her course. The breeze
was light and no harm done, and pres
J emily had her about her business anC