Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-17

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carpenter stole past them and mount
ed the poop steps with his broad
axe on his shoulder, the cook fol-
lowed With his carving-knife, taking
a position at the opposite end OF the
line from the carpenter, and the
steward emerged from the after
companion with repeating rife.
Precautionary discipline was perfect.
Az the first sign OF protest seven
armed men were prepared to listen,
and the cook and carpenter glared
down on the sea slaves with no irrel-
evant side glances at each other.
well. men" said Captain Bilker,
as with easy carelessness he rested
his gun on the monkey-rail with It's
two muzzles looking down on them,
what dye WANT"
Just this. SIR" said Smith, step.
ping out OF the group with his pan OF
hash. I'VE hain't lookin for trou-
Bile, an we don't want to say nothin'
thatll bring hon hany shootin', sir;
but we just want to hask you, sir, II
this is the right kind O. chuck to feed
men on. sir. We hain't got nothin' to
say bout hits bein' government
whack. cause that's hall we sign for;
but we don't sign for maggots, sir
! they're not in the scale O. provisions,
sir"
NO" remarked the captain, dryly,
they're not; you're getting them ex-
tra-good fresh meat over and
above yer 'lowance Mr.. Thorpe"
he said, turning to the first mate,
there's the crew; dye recognize yer
man."
II do" answered the officer, a Pc
culiar shine, or sparkle. in his blue
eyes; that outlaw sneakin' behind
the others back there" He raised
the marlinspike unstea Oily in his left
hand, and the men below separated
and fell back. Then the marlinspike
whirled among them, and Dick Hal
pin fell to the deck.
by heaven, SIR" roared Sawyer,
III this amt pure murder never
heard Of 1t. That man wasn't turned
to till four O'Clock that morning. He
was doped an in his bunk, TIL Mr..
Jones pulled him OUT
Shut up" Numbered the captain.
Hush, or III put We fore the mast
again. Sure O. yer man, Mr..
Thorpe"
Sure Of him, SIR" said the mate,
with smile; of course am. Look
at the size OF him. Ia there any one
else in that pack able to break my
arm? And I know his face and
shape. could see him we'll enough"
you're wrong" vociferated Saw
yer, angriy; you're dead wrong,
Mr.. Thorpe. That man was stupid
In his bunk all through that watch.
Mr.. Jones'll bear me out. He turned
him to at eight bells, too dopy to
know his name. Hold on. sir. don't
point that thing my way" Mr..
Thorpe had drawn and was ner-
vously raising a pistol as he looked at
Sawyer. but the enraged third mate
levelled the shotgun, and the pistol
came down. Still holding the gun
horizontal, Sawyer backed toward
the rail and spoke to the second
mate. while down on deck Breen
helped Dick to his feet
Isn't that so, Mr.. Jones?"
1t may have been the menace Of
the shotgun. or II may have been
Pigs surprise and shock at the sud
den Telling OF man before his eyes:
for he was young yet. He answered
truthfully.
Yes. he couldn't be walked up till
eight bells. tried twice. and know
that. 1t was some one else, Mr..
Thorpe"
Enough O this" said the captain.
impatiently. Take that forrard.
Mr.. Sawyer, lower that gun, and re-
member where you are. l make all
'lowances for mistakes O. Judgment,
but-put that gun down. Yer on my
poop deck"
"All right, sir but I couldn't keep
quiet under this"
Now. men," said the captain to
those below him, take that fel!ar
forrard, and take yer grub with you.
l don't want TO see 1t or smell It.
Yell get no different till We give up
the man that crippled my first mate"
"Ow can we do that. sir?" replied
Smith. He won't give 'isself hup,
KNOWN he's likely to be killed. An
there's no hother way to fnd bout.
Hand we cant eat this stuff. sir"
"That'll do. Go forrard."
Hall right. sir, we'll 90; but can
We hask you. sir. hif you'll make tho
cook shake out the maggots fore he
cooks UP the ASH"
1t was a reasonable and a respect
full request. and possibly Captain Bill
ker was impressed by 1t. He hest
tated a moment. then turned to the
steward
From this on" ne said, serve
the men from the new stores; serve
'em the allowance. and not an ounce
more. Now, men," he added, facing
them again, I'm givin' you new
grub for a while-one month, We'll
say: an II you don't produce that
murderin' thief by then back you
60 to what we've been gettin': but II
you do, It's full and plenty"
Thank We. sir; We'll do what we
can"
They went forward, assisting Dick.
He was weak in the legs, somewhat
dazed from shock and headache, and
his face was streaked with blood
from a furrow In his scalp where the