Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-05-08
CIIAPTER XIV.
THE JOLLY ROGER.

bowsprit, when the flying jib tapped
and filled upon the other tack, with a
report Ike u gun. The schooner trem-
bed to her keel under the reverse; but
next moment, the other sails still
drawing. the jib Tapped back again,
and hung idle.
This had nearly tossed me off into
the sea; and now lost no time. crawlcd
back along the bowsprlt, and tumblcd
head foremost on the deck
J. was on the lee side of the forecastle,
and the lnaiDsail, which was still draw
ing, concealed from me q certain por
ton of the atter-deck. Not u soul was
to be seen. The planks. which had not
been swabbed since the mutiny, bore
tho print of many feet; and an empty
bottle, broken by the neck, tumbled to
and fro like live thing in the Soup
pers.
Suddenly the ''Hispaniola" came
right into the wind. The jibs behind
me cracked aloud, the rudder slammed
to; the whole ship gave a sickening
heave and shudder and at the same
moment the main-boom swung in
board, the sheet grooming in the blocks,
and showed me the lee after-deck
There We're the two watchmen, sure
enough; red Leap on his back, as stiff as
a handspike, with his arms stretched
out like those of a crciiix, and his
teeth showing through his open lips;
Israel Hands proroed against the bull
warks. his chin on his chest, his hands
lying open before him ON the deck, his
face as white, under its tan, as a tall
low candle.
For awhile the ship kept bucking and
siding like Il vicious horse, the sails
filling, now on one tack, now on an
other, and the boom swinging to and
fro till the inast groaned aloud under
the strain. Now and again, too, there
would come IL cloud of light spray over
the buiWa1k, and u heavy blow of the
ships bows against the swell-so much
heavier weather WAS made of 1T by this
great rugged ship than by my home
made, lop-sided coracle, now gone to
the bottom of the sea.
AT every jump of the schooner, rcd
cap Slipped to and fro; but-what was
CHASTITY to behold neither his attitude
nor his fixed teeth disclosing grin was
any way disturbed by this rough usage.
AT every jump, too, Hands appeared
still more To sink into himself and set
lie down upon the deck, his feet sliding
ever the further out, and the whole
body cantr.g toward the stern, so that
his face became. little by little, hid
from ME. and at last | could see moth
ing beyond his ear and the frayed ring
let of one whisker.
At the same time. | observed, around
both OF chem, sillashea OF dark blood
upon the plaliks, and began to feel .;ure
that they had killed each other in their
drunken wrath.
While | was thus looking and Won
deIing. in a calm moment when the
ship was still, Israel Hands turned
partly round, and with low moan,
writhed himself back to the position
in which ! had seen him first The
moan, which told OF pain and deadly
weakness, and the way in which his
jaw hung open, went right to my heart
But when remembered the talk | had
overheard from the apple BARREL all
pity left me.
walked ait until reached the main
mast.
Come aboard, Mr.. Hand" l said
ironically.
He rolled his eyes round heavily; but
he Was too far gone to express surprise
All he could do was to utter one word:
Brandy"
1t occurred to me there was no time
to lose; and, lodging the boom as it
once more lurched across the deck, L
slipped aft, and down the companions
stains into the cabin.
1t was such a scene of confusion as
you can hardly fancy. All the locl1fast
places had Been broken open in quest
VI lIit 3tIdIl. Il ne llOoT MAS .tElclS With
mud where ruilians had sat down to
drink or consult after wading in the
marshes round their camp The bulk
heads, all painted in clear white and
beaded round with Gilt, bore u pattern
of dirty hands Dozens of empty bot
Ties clnhcll together in corners to the
rolling of the ship. one of the doctors
medical books lay open on the table
half of The leaves Quilted out. | suppose,
Tpl. m mo, Itch l,a
the lamp still cast q smoky glow, oh
scuie and brown as lumber.
Went into the cellar: all tho barrels
We're gone. and OF the bottles a most
surprising number had been drunk out
ard thrown away. Certainly, since the
mutiny began, not man of them could
ever have been sober.
Toraging about found a bottle with
some brandy left, for Hands; and for
myself l routed out some bis
cults. some picked fruit "a
great bunch of raisins, and Il piece of
cheese. With these | came on deck, put
down my own stock behind the rudder-
head, and we'll out of the cockswain's
reach. went forward to the water
beaker and had a good deep drink of
water. and then, and not till then, gave
Hands the brandy.
lie must have drunk gill before he
took the bottle from his mouth.
"Ay,' said he, by thunder. but l
wanted some o. that
l had sat down already in my own
corner and began to eat.
Much hurt?" l asked him.
He grunted, or, rather. might say
he barked.
IF that doctor was aboard" he said.
I'd be right enough in a couple of
turns; but / don't have no manner of
luck, you see, and that's what's the
matter with me. AS for that swab, he's
good and dead, he is" he added. indi-
eating the mn with the red cap. He
warn't no seaman. anyhow. And where
mought you have come from?'
Well' said /, I've come aboard to
take possession of this shin Mr.. Hands.