Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-01-26
CHAPTER XIV.

Frere had a finder box in his pocket,
and made a fire with some dry leaves
and sticks. Grimes fell asleep, and the
two men sitting at their fire, discussed
the chances of escape.
A 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 MUIR
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 ruffians.
II 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 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 it 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 a stranger it
would have appeared that the boat con-
tanned a happy party Of fishermen, or
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.
'"Eherer' says Rex, "you can't say we've
used you badly, for we've divided the
provisions" The sight of this almost
unexpected SuccOE IcNlN0u luC courage
of the five, and they felt grateful. At
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 sob in his voice, II didn't expect
this. You are good fellows, for there
amt much tucker aboard, I know"
EYES," affirmed Frere, you're good
fellows"
Rex burst into a savage laugh "Shut
your mouth, you tyrant," said he, forget
ting his dandyism in the recollection Of
his former suffering. "It amt for your
benefit. You may thank the lady and
child for it"
Julia Vickers fastened to propitiate
the arbiter of her daughters fate. "We
are obliged to you" she said, with
touch of quiet dignity resembling her
husbands; "and if 1 ever get back safe
ly | will take care that your kindness
shall be known"
So, with cheers and waving of hand
l1erchiefs, the boat departed.
A council of war was held, with Mr..
Frere at the head of it, and the posses
sions of the little party were thrown
into common. stock
1t was found, upon review Of their
possessions that they had among them
three pocket-knives, a ball of string,
three pipes and a fig of tobacco, a por
ton of fishing line with hooks, and a
big iackknife. But they saw with dis
may that there was nothing which could
be used axwise among the party Mrs.
Vickers had her shawl, and Bates a
pea Jacket, but Frere and Grimes were
without extra clothing.
Having made these arrangements, the
kettle, filled with water from the spring,
was slung from three green sticks over
the fire, and pannikin of weak tea,
together with a biscuit, served out to
each of the. party, save Grimes, who
declared himself unable to eat. Break
fast over. Bates made a damper, which
was cooked in the ashes, and then an
other council was held as to future habi-
tation.
1t was clearly evident that they could
not sleep in the open air. 1t was the
middle of summer, and though no annoy
ance from rain was apprehended, the
heat in the middle of the day was most
oppressive. At little distance from the
the face of the cliff, and on the eastern
side of this rise grew forest of young
trees. Frere proposed to cut down these
trees and make a sort of hut with them.
1t was soon discovered, however, that
the pocket knives were insufficient for
this purpose, but by dint of notching the
young saplings, and then breaking them
down. they succeeded, in couple OF
hours. in collecting wood enough to
roof over a space between the hollow
rock which contained the provisions and
another rock, in shape like hammer,
which jutted out within five yards OF 1t.
Mrs. Vickers and Sylvia were to have
this hut as a sleeping place, and Frere
and Bates, lying at the mouth of the
larder, would at once act as guard to 1t
and them. Grimes was to make for him.
self another hut where the fire had been