The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-24

pealed to us in piteOus strains, invoking
Allah to grant US a wind and tmplorlng
us to pray to God with the same object.
What could we do? We told them that
we should hail the first steamer and get
her to tow US into a wind which would
not only fill our sails, but blow the
cholera out of the ship. In the mean
time we eXhorted them to be patient and
obey the doctor in all things.
Several steamers passed, going in the
same direction, but too far off to COM
municate At last, on the tenth day of
the calm, we sighted a two-funnel steam
er hull down in our wake. She came on
slowly, and as she drew abreast of US
about a mile away we hoisted our dis
tress signal and anXiously awaited the re-
suit. In a few minutes she replied,
whereupon we displayed whole line OF
bunting; on reading which she altered
her course and ranged up to within
speaking distance.
steamer ahoy!" shouted our skipper
through his trumpet. What steamers
that?'
.eWest Indian" beloved a voice from
the others bridge; 'Jeddah to Bombay
What ships that?"
"Zenobia; Annesley Bay to Bombay
whats the matter?
Cholera! VIII you tow US through the
Straits?"
Sorry we can't. Port engine broken
down; much as we can do to get along
ourselves Can we help you otherwiseT
Have you a doctor?
Yes"
Want medicEnes3"
mo, thanks; have lots. Goodby
"Goodby!
In another minute she put up her helh
and resumed her course.
There's no 'elp fort but to walt for
the next" said the skipper.
True. there was no help for it. so we put
on the best face possible and called on
our fortitude and patience to aid US.
Presently the crew again came aft, this
time on their own initiative their de-
meanor more truculent than before.
Whether the disappointment had irritated
them, or whether, owing to the existing
dislocated state of affairs, they had man
aged to gain access to the spirit room'
l do not know, but their bearing now was
mutinOus.
"Capt. hutchinson" called Lampsey
roughly from the main deck
''Well?" replied the skipper, going to
the rail, whittier we all followed him.
1--WE amt a-goin' to stand this here no
furrer--we amt"
"Ain't yer? Suppose you think as that
there steamboat with 'arf a lung could
"a towed a twelve hundred ship-do Xer?'
"What we thinks or doesn't think amt
neither here nor there but tell yer what,
this ships a coffin-she Is, and we amt
a-goin' to stop in her-we ain t! Jest yer
come along to the fo'castle and take
whiff O. the stink as comes through the
cracks in the bulkheads, and then say II
Christian sailormen can stand it any long
er!'
"Ave patience, can't yer?" Another
steamboat'u be along presently, and Well
stop 'er."
I'VE calkilatc as we've drifted pretty
considerable out O. the course. and ne'er
a carftI be a-comin'- this way, so we've
made up our minds what ter do. and have
come to give yer all a chanst in wild u.s.
trWell. out with 1t! What ave yer made
up yer minds to do?'
Take to the boats, and leave the tub
and the niggers to themselves"
"Yes?"
They'll all be dead afore week, so will
US if we stop here. The ship is sartin to
be picked up by some darned salvager.'
eWell, all ave to say Is" replied the
captain, leaning over the rail. and speak
ing impressively, that the first as touch
es lift or tackle I'll put a bullet through
i'm as sure as God made little apples!'
81 guess more nor one can play at that
camel" exclaimed Lampsey, shaking his
fist at the captain. Come on, mates!
he added to his fellows, and the whole
crowd made off to the toreGaStIe. "A storm
was brewing, and we unanimously rang
ed ourselves on the side of law and or
der 1 and the other passengers fshed
out our revolvers, loaded them, and stuck
them in our belts; the skipper similarly
armed himself and the officers, and sever
al of US, descending the poop ladder, cast
loose the two small brass guns which the
ship carried, and trundled them into the
cuddy. Rob, Corsy, the steward and the
lad Ross all came aft, while the crew,
gathered in clusters on the forecastle
head, appeared to be deep in consultation.
Thus there ensued lull. We were in the
cuddy. talking over the state of affairs,
Ross at t he wheel. and O'Kelly the
chief mate, on deck looking out for steam
ers. The poor plague stricken PunJabis
frequently came to the door and asked if
there were any signs of wind, for they
had evidently become imbued with @the
truth of what we had told them earlier
in the day-that breeze in all probability
would rid them of the scourge The at
mosphere was dense and hot, without the
slightest breath of air, and we sat anx-
ious and watchful, expecting at any mo-
ment to come to open loggerheads with
the crew.
below there" suddenly cried O'KelIy
through the skylight.
Ullo," responded the skipper
Sure, sir, it looks black and threaten