Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-06-01
CHAPTER XIV.

OllAI l. hh AlN.
There Is no need to dwell upon the
| mental agonies of that miserable night.
Frere had tinder box in his pocket,
and made fire with some dry leaves
and sticks. Grimes fell asleep, and the
! two men sitting at their fire, discussed
| the chances of escape.
discussion had arisen among the
mutineers as to the propriety of at once
making sail; but Barker, who had been
one of the pilot boat crew, and knew the
dangers OF the bar, vowed that he would
| not undertake to steer the brig through
the Gates until morning; and so the
| boats being secured astern, a strict
| watch was set, lest the helpless Bates
should attempt to rescue the vessel
| During the evening feeling of pity for
the unfortunate party on the mainland
| took possession of them. 1t was quite
possible that the Osprey might be re-
| captured, in which case five useless mur-
| ders would have been committed. John
| Rex, seeing how matters were going
made haste to take to himself the credit
| of mercy. He ruled, and had always
| ruled, his rufflans.
Il PROPOSE" said he "that we divide
| the provisions. There are five Of them
and ten of us. Then nobody can blame
| u.s."
This reasoning was admitted and act
ed upon. There were In the harness cask
about fifty pounds of salt meat, and
third Of this quantity, together with
half a small sack of -four, some tea and
sugar mixed together In a bag, and an
iron kettle and pannikin, were placed
in the whaleboat. Cheshire, stumbling
over goat that had been taken on
board from Philip Island, caught the
creature by the leg and threw 1t into the
sea, bidding Rex take that with him
also. Rex dragged the poor beast into
the boat, and with this miscellaneous
cargo pushed off to the shore. The poor
goat shivering, began to bleat piteously,
and the men laughed. To stranger 1t
would have appeared that the boat con.
tanned happy party of fishermen, OF
coast settlers, returning with the pro.
ceeds of days marketing.
Laying off as the water Swallowed,
Rex called to Bates to come for the
cargo, and three men with muskets
standing up as before, ready to resist
any attempt at capture, the provis-
ions, goat and all, were carried ashore.
There" says Rex, 'you can't say we've
used you badly, for we've divided the
provisions" The sight of this almost
unexpected succor revived the courage
of the five, and they felt grateful. Af-
ter the horrible anxiety they had endur-
ed all that night, they were prepared to
look with kindly eyes upon the men who
had come to their assistance.
Men," said Bates, with something
like a sob in his voice, 81 didn't expect
this. You are good fellows, for there
amt much tucker aboard, know"
"Yes," affirmed Frere, you're good
fellows"
Rex burst into savage laugh. "Shut
your mouth, you tyrant," said he, forget
ting his dandyism in the recollection OF
his former suffering. at amt for your
benefit. You may thank the lady ant
child for it."
Julia Vickers fastened to propitiat,
the arbiter of her daughters fate. awe
are obliged to you,v she said, with {
touch of quiet dignity resembling hel
husbands; "and If l ever get back safe
ly I will take care that your kindnes!
shall be known"
So, with cheers and waving Of hand
kerchiefs, the boat departed.
A council of war was held, with Mr.
Frere at the head of 1t, and the posses
sions Of the little party were thrown
into common stock.
1t was found, upon a review of thei
possessions that they had among then
three pocket-knives, ball of string
three pipes and fig of tobacco, a por
tion of fishing line, with hooks, and
big jackknfe. But they saw with dis
/ may that there was nothing which coul,
be used axwise among the party. Mrs
| Vickers had her shawl, and Bates
: pea jacket, but Frere and Grimes wer
without extra clothing.
Having made these arrangements, tn
kettle, filled with water from the spring
r was slung from three green sticks owe
, the fire, and pannikin Of weak tea
/ together with a biscuit, served out t
each of the party, save Grimes, VIII
, declared himself unable to eat. Break
, fast over Bates made a damper, whic
) was cooked In the ashes, and then an
= other council was held as to future habl
Q tation.
t 1t was clearly evident that they coul
: not sleep In the open air. It was tn
l middle Of summer, and though no annoy