Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-12-21

IN command II the cOmmOdOre'S PEN
nant, much to the annoyance of the cap
tains commanding the other vessels; but
in this the admiral proved his Judgment,
as there was no one of them so fit for the
task as Philip. Having SO done, he dis
missed them. Philip would nave spoken
to the late commodore, but the sentry
opposed 1t, as against his orders; and with
a friendly nod Philip was obliged to leave
him without the desired communication.
hi fleet remained three weeks at the
Falkland islands, to recruit the ships
companies. Although there was no fresh
beef, there were plenty of scurvy grass and
penguins. These birds were in myriads OH
some parts of the island, which, from the
p%ropinquity of their nests, built of mud,
went by the name of towns. There they
sat, close together (the whole area which
they covered being bare Of grass), hatch
Ing Their eggs and rearing their young.
Tho men had but to select as many eggs
and birds as they pleased, and SO numer-
GUS were they that when they had sup
piled themselves, there was no apparent
dilninution of their numbers. This food,
although in q short time not very palata-
Bile to the seamen, had the effect Of restor-
Ing them to health, and before the feet
sailed, there was not a man who was
afflicted with the scurvy. In the mean
time, the commodore remained in irons,
and many were the conjectures concerning
his ultimate fate. The power of life and
death was known to be in the admiral's
hands, but no one thought that such pow
er would be exerted upon a delinquent of
SO high a grade. The other captains kept
aloof from Philip, and he knew little of
what was the general idea. Occasionally
when on board of the adlniral's ship, he
ventured to bring up the question, but
was Immediately silenced; and feeling
that he might injure the late commodore,
for whom he had a regard, he would risk
nothing by Importantly; and the fleet
sailed for the strait Of Magellan without
anybody being aware of what might be
the result of the court martial.
1t was about a fortnight after they had
left the Falkland islands that they entered
the strait. At first they had a leading
wind which carried them half through,
but this did not last, and they then had to
contend not only against the wind, but
against the current, n they daily lost
ground. The crews Of the ships also began
to sicken from fatigue and cold.
Whether the admiral had before made
VI his mind, or whether irritated by his
fruitless endeayors to continue his voyage,
1t Is impossible to say; but after three
weeks useless struggle against the winds
and currents, he hove to and ordered all
the captains on board, when he proposed
that the prisoner should receive his pun
ishment, and that punishment was-to be-
deserted; that is, to be sent on shore with
a days food, where there was no means Of
obtaining support, SO as to die miserably
Of hunger. This was a punishment fire.
quently resorted to by the Dutch at that
period, as will be seen by reading an ac-
count of their voyages; but at tho same
time, seldom, If ever, awarded to one Of
so high a rank rs that of commodore.
Philip Immediately protested against
1t, and SO did Krantz, although they were
both aware that by so doing they would
make the admiral their enemy; but the
other captains, who viewed both of them
with q jealous eye, and considered them
as interlopers and interfering with their
advancement, sided with the admiral.
Notwithstanding this majority, Philip
thought it his duty to expostulate.
You know well, admiral" said he,
"that I joined in his condemnation for q
breach Of discipline; but at the same time
there was much in e~xtenuation. He COM
mitted q breach of discipline to save his
ships company, but not an error in judg-
ment, as you yourself proved, by taking
the same measure to save your own men.
Do not, therefore, visit an offense of so
doubtful a nature with such cruelty. Let
the company decide the point when you
send him home, which you can do as soon
as you arrive in India. He is sufficiently
punished by losing his command; to do
What you propose will be ascribed to feel.
ings of revenge more than to those of
justice. What success can we deserve If
we commit an act Of such cruelty; and
how can we expect a merciful Providence
to protect us from the winds and waves,
when we are thus barbarous toward each
otherp"
Philips arguments were Of no avail.
The admiral ordered him to return on
board his ship, and had he been able to
lind an excuse, he would have deprived
him of his command. This he could not
well do; but Philip was aware that the
admiral was now his inveterate enemy.
The commodore was taken out of irons
and brought into the cabin, and his sem
tencew was made known to him.
BE 1T so, admiral, - replied Avenhorn;
for to attempt to turn you from your
purpose, I know would be unavailing. I
am not punished for disobedience Of orders,
but for having, by my disobedience, point.
ed out to you your duty-a duty which
you We're forced to perform afterward by
necessity. Then be it 80; let me perish
on these black rocks, as I shall, and my
bones be whitened by the chilly blasts
which how over their d%esolation. But
mark me-, cruel and vindictive mani I
shall not be the only n whose bones will
bleach there. I prophecy that many others
viii share my fate, and even you, admiral,
may be of the number-if I mistake not,
we shall lie side by side.'
The admiral made no reply, but gave q
sign for the prisoner to be removed. he
then had a conference with the captains
Of the three smaller vessels; and as they
had been all along retartled by the heavier
sailing of his own ship, and the bort COM
manded by Philip, ho decided that they
should part company, and proceed on as
fast rs they could to the Understanding
on board of the two larger vessels all the