Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-14

the poor piece of clay and, motioning nv
helpmate, launched it through the yawn-
ing port, listening shudderingy to the dull
splash that followed. And so with the rest
until we two stood alone, painting and dis
trcssed with our heavy task. A few min
utes rest, and then with a draw-bucket
and broom we labored to cleanse away the
blood that besmeared wide a space of
the decks. At this work We toiled for a
long time, and when at last we gave over
because L was tired out, We had only par
TALLY succeeded In removing the fearful
evidence of that great fight.
BY this time l was so far myself as to
feel hungry. The feeling of nausea that
had been coming and going ever since 1
first left the cabin like waves, over me-
had left me, and 1 ordered You Sing to get
breakfast. He set about the job Immediate
~, leaving me seated on the damp hatch,
wondering what would become of us. Then
suddenly it occurred to me for the first
time that the ship was entirely left to her
self. There was a faint breeze blowing
steadily, all sails being set, and the yards
canted a couple of points, for what wind ex-
listed was on the quarter. l rose and went
aft to the wheel, finding that she came up
and fell off about three points, so that she
was practically steering herself and max
ing a fairly average course SSE. This was
satisfactory SO far, because it relieved me
| of any necessity for immediate action.
knew how to steer, and far as my
strength went could handle sails, besides
understanding fairly well how a ship was
=" a
sea, and always deck boy until this voy-
age so that, unless had been q very idiot
/ must know something about sailorZng.
Everything being SO quiet and favorable l
remembered little Elsie, and, with sink
ing heart, went down below to break the
dreadful news to her. How it was to be
done didn't know, my stock of German
being pitifully scanty, and she, poor child,
not knowing one word of English. AS
turned the handle of the state room door /
heard her calling, "Mutter, wir Dist du,'
| and, In spite of my efforts, some big tears
| burst from my eyes.
But L went in and stood by her cot, rack
| ing my brain for some way of making her
understand what had happened. AS soon
| as she saw me she began, as usual, to scold
me for being there, where, indeed, l was
never allowed to enter, and ordered me,
| with much dignity, to go and call her
| mother. 1t would be useless for me to at
tempt any description of the scene that fol-
| lowed. l could not, do what l would, make
| her understand what an awful change had
| taken place since she went to sleep. She
| at last made up her mind that l must be
| crazy and, thoroughly frightened, sprang
| out OF her cot and rushed into the cabin,
| screaming frantically for "Mutter! Mutter!
| Fader! Fader!" l followed her carefully,
| puzzled beyond measure to know what to
| do. but she fed on deck up the ladder and
| ON to the poop, still calling with all her
| voice for those who were forever deaf to
| her cries. OF course 1 dared not pursue
| her, for fear of adding to her terror, so ]
| waited anXiously until she had explored
| every corner of the ship vacant, and at last
| exhausted with her efforts, returned slowly
| to the cabin. Then ] quietly brought her
| some food and begged her to eat a little,
| but, as I might have expected, that was
| impossible. But she was so far quieted that
| she piled me with questions, which 1 an
| swered well as 1 was able, until 1 sue.
| ceeded in making her understand the ter
| rible truth. She burst into such a passion
of weeping when she comprehended the
| case that at first feared for her life, but
| presently 1 saw that this outbreak was
the best thing that could have hap.
| pened, for 1t relieved her poor little brain
| and soon, utterly worn out, she went off
into heavy sleep. Then I searched the
| cabin thoroughly with the dim idea In my
mind of finding some cause for the mutiny
| in accordance with my suspicious. Sure
enough. I had been right, for In various
hiding places I came upon such treasures
as had never even dreamed Of before
Coined gold In boxes, in bags, In bundles