Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-01-09

"They don't get no word with me. y
Then there will be a mutiny this
blessed night, sir"
"Mutiny? What do you mean ?"
Nothing, sir, only what l says. If
you won't let the men speak to you,
all I have to say is I don't sleep in
that fo'c'sle another night, Not that
l minds, only l have wife as well as
a family to consider, and l amt in
sured. If 1 had been-just for few
pounds event wouldn't have trou-
bled you, and murder isn't nice sort
o thing when a man has come to my
time of life"
"Gst out!" thundered the skipper.
All that day the crew were becom-
ing mutinons, and the master was at
his wits end. He thought of signal
ing his companion in the brig, which
was within biscuit throw, but the fear
of being laughed at discouraged him.
Everything cooked that day was at
once thrown overheard, and they took
care to dol always when the skipper
was OH deck. just before sunset the
second mate brought his bedding out
of the forecastle and threw it down
aft near the wheel.
Put it below" yelled the captain.
Thus it was that the second mate
came aft to live, and, with this some
what doubtful welcome, he took pos
session of a sail locker.
Next morning the mate came down
and reported mutiny. The men
had positively refused to come on
deck, and he finished up by suggest
ing that the captain should give them
an interview. With sundry growls
and curses this was acceded to, and
they came aft in body.
What is the grievauce2' demand.
ed the master.
"It's the onchristian food, said one;
mot fit for dorgs"
"Is it the herrin's? asked the skip
per.
There's nothing speshul amiss with
them except as they are putrid, said
the spokesman, and his companions
growled assent
"Who says they're putrid2
1--WE does. Arsk the second mate
there, as as tasted EN-. We didn't
ship on this old tub to be starved to
death by slow murder. All the stores
is rotten, and we shall signal the first
map-o-war we falls in with, if she's
only revenue cutter"
"Aye, aye T. said the men in chorus.
Then what do you want ?" thun-
dsred the master in desperation.
Nothing, sir, except little food
the same as you are 'avin' yourself.
We don't mind what 1t is SO long as
it isn't rotten, and we don't mind how
little it is so long as it'll keep our pore
souls and bodies together until we
gets to Sun erland and can buy some
for ourselves. "
The old man saw there was nothing
for it but surrender, so he gave way
with bad grace, and the men went
forward, grinning at the success Of
their scheme.
For the remainder of the voyage
they fed like fighting cocks on what
is known as "cabin stores" But,
worse was to come. When the vessel
arrived at Sunderland, the crew
marched up in body to the custom
house and reported that they had been
starved on the passage home and that
all the skipper would give them to
eat were red herrings.
Then the captain cursed his friend
and his delicacies.
That other astute master mariner
had gone about his business in DIFF
ferent way.
Put that cask o herrin's in the
lazarette aft. They are for cabin
use, he shouted to the first mate when
they were shipped on board.
"For ard therel Bear hand" shout
ed the individual addressed.
Tell the boy to cook some for tea,
but only for me and you2" he shouted
again at the top Of his voice to bis
first officer
The men who bad been engaged in
getting them below heard this and
called the skipper selfish old devil
whom they would be even with. They
stood round the galley and shifted in
the appetizing odor, awaiting a favor
aole opportunity to steal some Of the