The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-01-20

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peace for little" said Mr.. lynn, with
The remark sheathinR his sword. They
have found they can neither overbeHr
us. and till they think OF something
new will of necessity do nothing"
81 hold the same" said the captain,
land 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," lie
yawued prodigiously, but added, laugh
ing: 81 m not so worn out as ! seem.
Twas but il" trick of youth"
| felt much encouragement and, in
a sort, relief al his manner. The strain
till now had been great, and my cour.
age, in some wise, had begun to flag.
In truth, | 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 1t 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
ly applied), and I accordingly selected
the mates cabin, and stretched myself
in the bunk.
l cannot say how long slept, but
know | was awakened at last by a
sound of crashing wood, and on start
i,,rr L fAnpI no n, et ,x,tt
motion and few faint day streaks
coming in at the window. Twas on my
feet straightway and caught mp my
hanger and pistol. What had hap
pened l could not conjecture. but it
must be something of import. heark
ened for an instant, but there was no
repetition of the sound, and without
tarrying longer 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 it?" l cried. What is do
ing?"
NAY, we know not for a certainty
replied Mr.. lynn coolly, but by the
NblSN ~ - NV pun ing VI bOt
as it not light enough to sean the
deck?' | asked. 81 think there he
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.
| thought | caught a glimpse of some
shadowy figures. Stimulated by the
discovery. boldly drew away the fas-
tening and peered out. ] instantly dis
covered two or three forms fitting
about the bows, and as | looked saw
one mount the bulwark and drop over.
In moment it came to me what was
doing. The mutineers were deserving
the ship; | flung the door wide and
made a significant gesture to my com
panions. They were beside me in a
twinkling, and on beholdiug the de
serted deck tumbled unhesitatingly
out. | 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,
aftcrdeck, midships. and forcdeck
not a soul to be seen.
My companions had mounted the
bulwark and were bending over. and
the captain was Wagering his head and
pointing at something over the quar-
ter. | was at no loss TO guess what it
was. and upon running Il bit one side
and looking past the poop made GER
tain. Ii was, in fact, the escaping
-~'''tine0~s
They were all in one boat-the ships
long boat--and by the aid of several
oars were drawing pretty fast TO wind
ward. | could not stop TO make more
of them than this. for the shipwas now
all ways in the wind. and FASTENED to
fetch her upon her course. The breeze
was light and no harm done, and pres
emily had her about her business and
all drawing as 1t should. BY this time
the boat was again under my observa-
ton, for she was now upon the weather
bow instead of the weather quarter,
and | had opportunity to sean her with
more exactness. She held all the ten
men-that is, the mate, old Lewson,
the disabled sailor, the cook, the cabin
boy and The five other seamen.
should say here that the cabin boy
was scarce of reality boy, since he
was II, and as big as some of the men.
The boat was fitted with sail, which
two fellows forward were even now
setting, and by the pile of boxes and
casks amidships was well supplied with
all manner of stores.
| stood on tiptoes and peered with
Impotence over the poop, hoping to
come by "A glimpse of my companions,
and resolve what they were doing, but
just at the moment | heard Mr.. lynn
say something, and, following the
words, his head rose above the poop
ladder.
AT the helml" he called out, com
posedly.
AYE, aye!" I answered, almost a
tremble with anxiety. How fares