Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-06-23

CHAPTER XXX Continued
$ He took us 80 suddenly by surprise,
that, although we had been waiting
and watching for him since dawn, his
resolute aspect and the arms he WELD
ed controlled us all, and we stared at
each other with irresolution in our
purpose and in our faces No man,
apparently, cared to act as our leader.
"Presto!" roared the Cubano; obey
and keep quiet. or, demonio! as there
are SO many, have great mind to
shoot one-half. that I may control the
rest. Cast loose those top-sails, and
up with the royals again-set: the ny
ing-gib and main trysail- quick. per-.
ros, or I'll make sharks meat OF some
more of you" .3 4
The crew seemed to lack either res
olution or the power of combination,
and no man appeared anxious to IN
cur the sure penalty Of instant death
by acting in opposition to his peremp-
tory orders In setting an example to
the rest So, sullenly and silently the
sail trimmers stood by the tacks and
braces; the wheel revolved in the un-
willing hands Of Ned Carlton, who was
compelled to obey, for the cold muzzlc
of six-barreled revolver, capped and
cooked, was held close to his left tenn
pie.
y The head OF the Eugene payed off
in obedience to her helm, the yards
swung round and were braced sharp
up; and with the starboard tacks on
board, in three minutes we were steer
ing as due westward as her head would
lie for the coast of South America.
The alteration of our course fur
nished the crew with q new source OF
speculation. It was evidently the IN
tention OF Antonio, If he could reach
the coast Of SECURE, or that of Bahia,
to escape with all his valuables and
his vengeance; and to this end. If
ships passed without succoring or
overhauling us, and If we did not de-
stroy him, he might certainly destroy
us, by scuttling the brig, or setting her
on fire.
The noon passed over without an
observation" for there was no one to
work it, to estimate the latitude or
longitude, to keep reckoning, or take
note Of our variation and leeway; and
lest we should signal any passing ship,
Antonio, who was most thoughtful
scoundrel, threw every color over
board. He did not come on deck again
for some time, as he had plenty of
spirits and provisions below, and the
tell-tale compass in the skylight az
forded him constant information as to
whether the brig was steered In the
direction he wished
He was constantly drinking, but
never became so intoxicated as to be
unwary.
And SO the fated brig glided over the
hot sea, under the blazing sun. The
albatrosses came round us again, with
tripping feet, Tapping wings and open
bills; but no one molested them now
we had other things to think Of;
and as sat on the anchor stock In the
weather bow, watching them floating
in the water, or Swimming over it
with their vast wings outspread,
thought Of the ancient Mariner" and
all that he had suffered for killing "the
bird OF good omen"
l felt q strange dread creeping over
me while these verses seemed on my
tongue-they were SO descriptive of
the atmosphere and of the situation:
"All in hot and copper sky,
The bloody sun at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the moon.
II closed my lids, and kept them close,
And the balls like pulses beat,
For the sea and sky. and the sea and
sky,
Lay like load on my weary eye,
B And the dead were at my feet"
p CHAPTER YXT