Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-01-04

Never, perhaps, was there scene more
cheerless and appalling; dark wintry
SOFA sky loaded with heavy clouds--the
wind cold and piercing-the whole line of
tho coast one mass Of barren rocks, with
out the slightest appearance of vegetation;
tho inland part of the country presented
m equally somber appearance, and the
higher points We're capped with snow, al
though it was not yet the winter season.
Sweeping tho coast with his eye, Philip
perceived, not four miles to leeward of
them ESQ little progress had they made)
the spot where they had deserted the com.
modore.
Surely this has been judgment on
him for his cruelty" thought Philip,
land tho prophecy Of poor Avenhorn will
come true-morc bones than his will
bleach on those rocks" Philip turned
round again to where the admiral's ship
was on shore, and started back, as he be-
held sight even more dreadful than all
that he had viewed-the body of Wander
Hagen, the officer sent ON board Of the ad-
miral, hanging at the main yardarm.
My God is 1t possiblei" exclaimed Phil
Up, stamping with sorrow and Indignation
His boat was returning on board, and
Philip awaited it with Impotence. Tho
men hastened up the side, and breathlessly
informed Philip that the admiral, as soon
as he had heard the lieutenant's report
and his acknowledgment that he was off,
Ger of the watch, had ordered him to be
hung, and that he had sent them back
with summons for him to repair on
board Immediately, and that they had seen
another rope preparing at the yardarm.
But not for you, sir" cried the men:
THAT shall never be-you shall not 20 on
board-and we will defend you with our
lives"
The whole ships company Joined in
this resolution, and expressed their deter
mination to resist the admiral Philip
! thanked them kindly-stated his inten-
ton of not going OH board, and requested
that they would remain quiet, until It
was sscertained what steps the admiral
might take. He then went down to his
cabin to reflect upon what plan he should
proceed. AS he looked out of the stern
windows, and perceived the body of the
young man still swinging in the wind. he
almost wished that he was in his place,
for then there would be an ond to his way
ward fate: but he thought of Anime, and
felt that for her he wished to live. That
the phantom ship should have decoyed
him to destruction was also a source Of
much painful feeling, and Philip meditat-
ed, with his hands pressed to his temples
J cit is my destiny" thought he at last,
; "and the will of heaven must be done:
we could not have been SO deceived II
! heaven had not permitted it, And then
his thoughts reverted to his present situa-
ton.
That the admiral had exceeded his pow
ers in taking the life of the officer was I'M
deniablo, as although his instructions gave
him tho power of life and death, still it
was only to be decided by the sentence of
the court martial held by the captains
commanding the vessels of the fleet; he
therefore felt himself justified in resist
ance. But Philip was troubled with the
idea that such resistance might lead to
much bloodshcd; and he was still debat-
ing how to act, when they reported to him
that there was a boat coming from the ad-
miral's ship. Philip went upon the deck
to receive the officer, who stated that it
was tho admiral's order that no should I'M
mediately come on board, and that he
must consider himself now under arrest,
and deliver up his sword.
"No! mol" exclaimed tho ships COM
pany of the bort. "He shall not 20 on
board. We will stand by our captain to
tho last. :"
Silence, menl silence!' cried Philip.
"You must be aware, SIR" said he to the
officer, "that in the cruel punishment Of
that innocent young man, the admiral has
exceeded his powers; and, much as l regret
to see any symptoms of mutiny and in
subordination, it must be remembered,
that If those in command disobey the or
ders they have received, by exceeding them,
they not only set the example, but give an
excuse for those who otherwise would be
bound to obey them, to do tho Same. Tell
the admiral that his murder of that inno-
cent man has determined me no longer to
consider myself under his authority, and
that will hold myself as well as him an
for our conduct. I do not intend to go A
board and put myself in his power, that
he might crafty his resentment by my ig-
nominious death. 1t Is duty that I owe
these men under my command to preserve
my life, that may, If possible, preserve
theirs in this strait: and you may also
add, that little reflection must point out
to him that this is no time for us to war
with, but to assist each other with all our
energies. We are hero, shipwrecked on q
barren coast, with provisions insufficient
for any heightened stay, no prospect of
sucoor, and little of escape. AS the com.
modore truly prophesied, many more are
likely to perish as well as him-and even
the admiral himself may be OF the num-
Der. shall wait his answer; II he choose
to lay aside all animosity, and refer our,
to join with him in rendering that assist
ance to each other which our situation re-
quires-if not, you must perceive, and Of
course will tell him, that have those
with mo who will defend me against any
attempt at force You have my answer,
sir, and may return OH board
The officer went to the gangway, but
found that none of his crew, except the
bowman, were In the boat; they had gone
up to gain from the men Of the bort the
true history of what they had but imper-
fectly heard; and before they were sum-
moned to return, had received full intelli-
gence. They coinoided with the seamen
Of the bort that the appearance Of the
phantom ship, which had oocasionsd their
present disaster, was Judgment upon the
admiral, for his conduct in having so
cruelty deserted the poor commodore.