Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1900-03-01

CHAPTER Xxx, tContinuedl
NY JAMES GRANT.

S4lAA isiA ~ NNbhNtht'~As'
He took us so 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 / may control the
rest, Cast loose those top-sails, and
up with the royals again-set the fly
ing-gib and main trysail-quick, per-
ros. or I'll make sharks meat of some
more OF yout"
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 muzzle
of six-barreled revolver, capped and
cooked, was held close to his left tenn
pie
The head of the Eugene payed off
In obedience to her helm, the yards
swung round and We're 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 new source Of
speculation 1t was evidently the IN
tention of Antonio, If he could reach
the coast of Seguro, 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 a 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 af-
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
! aibatrosses 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 skimming over 1t
with their vast wings outspread,
thought of the Ancient Mariner" and
all that he had suffered for killing the
bird OF good omen
| felt a strange dread creeping over
me whi1e~lhese verses seemed on my
/ Tongue fhs " were SO descriptive OF
the atmospheIs and of the situation:
"A1l 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 ant
skHA
Lay like Hload on my weary eye,
And the daaS ,were at my feet"