Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-11-02

come nigh to blowing us out of water if we
don't roll our spars out before. Get on deck
and work the schooner under my command
until we make Holmes Hole in the Vine
yard, an when you set foot ashore you are
free men. l have no rations and no water.
The scuttle butt has launched itself over
board, and 1 am afraid of the supply in the
forehold. There's not shilling in it for any
of you, but tits fair way of escaping the
kings navy without deserving, for lll put
you on parole. tell you, lads, I'm bad
one to foul, but you'll find have an easy
helm and never miss stays if handled hon
estly. Now choose betwiXt this hole and
the deck, and choose in hurry! If you are
to save neck and freedom, throw down your
knives as a sign; I've no more time to
waste"
The two who had spoken looked askant
each at the other, and the knife of the
original spokesman fell to the deck. As the
hand of the Yankee sought the sheath the
third man spoke, unfolding his arms and
scowling like thunder as he gave vent to his
words. ...
eye two be domned fools to be trustin'
a rebel an runnin' yez head into tn moose.
Be yez a couple O. babbys not to mark his
firearm is useless wi tn wet? 'Ee's in our
lands! Wot's to Under our takin' the craft
an gettin' tn price that lies on the cad of
this ere"
He got no further. strobe up to him
and snapped my fingers in his face, then,
thrusting my eyes close to his, Numbered:
"On deck with We, We blatherskite! III
see that ye sing tune with old iron in it
ere sunrise tomorrow! On deck, I tell ye!"
Notwithstanding the din already exist
ing in the forecastle, my voice rose far above
it, its violence and the s1lddenncss of my
move making the man shrink back as though
frightened. But he was not cowed. Gather
ing himself, he uttered curse and sprarg
past me, placing himself 'twixt me and the
ladder; then whipping out his knife, he
called aloud to his companions:
'"rake tn chance, lads, while yet we ave
'ini Twill be tn maxim O us, an tits
fifty puns to each! Stand by, DULLES! We'll
make meat o tn cussed spy!-Up, Larry,
an close the 'atch on i'm! III odd the
gangway."
His action and outspoken hostility was
SO sudden as to take me by surprise, and,
had the others responded to his call, it
would surely have, gone hard with me. But
instead Of springing to the succor Of their
mate, they remained standing as though the
quick shifting of the situation had for the
moment dazed them. The earnestness of
the fellows purpose showed in the rapid
change that came over his face. From
sulky expression it had altered to one Of
wide-awake ferocity, and the listless droop
of arms and shoulders given place to tense
muscles and rounded chest, through the
hairiness Of which the perspiration stood
out in beads.
Even with this menace before nae could
but think what simple fool the man was.
Instead of quietly following my lead and
getting me at disadvantage, he had chosen
TO beard me against the odds of my cutlass
and the luiewarmness of his mates. At the
same time, it was no case for argument, nor
would it do to temporize an instant. Ere
easy chance to regain control of the schoon-
of the well-disposed seamen, l had npped
the mutiny Cf it could be so called), and had
the ringleader begging for mercy.
Without drawing my cutlass, l advanced
upon the fellow as though to close with him.
mind me now that he was handed and,
as tue fist holding the knife swayed aloft
and came down, l seized its wrist and with
a violent turn whipped his elbow out of
joint as one twists the leg from well-cooked
fowl. As my hand stayed his he clutched
my throat with his right, but as his joint
parted he gave howl of agony, dropped the
knife and my collar at once, and sank to his
knees roaring like bull.
Physically the man had been no match
for me, and I might have hammered the
life from him and met with little opposition
or resistance. Holding him for a brief
space, that my power might impress his
companions as well as himself, I dropped
him, and he sank to the deck with moan
that made me almost regret my act.
But the demands of war, self-preserva-
ton, pride, and the safety of others leave
little latitude for the sentiment of pity in
time of action. Had in anger alone dis
jointed the grooming man my conscience
(which, thank God, has never been scared
into inactivity might have upbraided me,
but now felt no great pang of remorse as
I sprang up the ladder, calling the two to
follow.
If the plucky resistance of the disabled
seaman had impressed the others, such i'm
preston seemed to have disappeared as they
came with me into the air above. Like owls
suddenly brought into sunshine, they
blinked in the now broadened light, and,
hanging on to the halyards of the foremost,
gazed with plain interest at the tumuit
about them. Sailors though they were,
would have wagered that never had they
faced such sight from so small craft,
and this was made certain when the man
named Larry bawled at me, while for mo-
ment gripped the same rope with hira:
"Barrin' an ease O breath, we might as
we'll ha' left US below. The craft can't live
long this wav here. IT'S matter o wind or
Davy Jones, an We had better whistle for
the first, let it come high CIR low. Delay all,
an stand by!'
His exclamation was caused by sudden
jerk of the schooner, followed by sidelong
dip, and a whole green sea came aboard over
the starboard bow. The full force OF 1t
was broken by the house on the forecastle
hatch, but the bulk swept over all obstacles
like cascade, and, rising to our hips, drove
US clear of the deck in a twinkling. In
bunch we hung on to the halyards until the
rush subsidized and let our feet come to the
planking once more. 1 saw the flood
sweep aft and foam over the break of the
poop, while torrents poured down the gal
ley and into the forecastle. 1t was the
worst drenching the craft had yet expe-
fienced, and q few more such visitors would
md enough water into the hod to make