Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-06-16
CHAPTER XIII.-tContinuedJ

Let me pass, prisoner.
As Mrs. Vickers descended the hatch
way, the boat with Frere and the sol.
diers came within musket-range, and
Lesly, according to orders, fired MS
musket over their heads, shouting to
them to lay TO. But Frere, boiling with
rage at the manner In which the tables
had been turned on him, had determined
not TO resign his lost authority without
struggle. Disregarding the summons,
he came straight on, with his eyes fixed
on the vessel 1t was now nearly dark,
and the figures on the deck were indis-
tinguisilnble. The indignant lieutenant
could but guess at the condition of af-
fairs Suddenly, from out Of the dark
ness a voice hailed him.
Hold water! back water" 1t cried,
and was then seemingly choked in its
owners throat.
The voice was the property of Mr..
Bates. Standing near the side, he had
observed Rex and Fair bring up a great
pig of iron, erst used as part of the
ballast Of the brig, and pose 1t on the
rail Their intention was but too evil
dent; and honest Bates, like faithful
watchdog, barked to warn his master.
Bloodthirsty Cheshire caught him by the
hiaANOAf HhA Atlts uilHttu4LSs Ran lllG
boat alongside under the very nose of
the revengeful Rex. The mass Of iron
fell half in-board upon the now stayed
boat, and gave her sternwaY, with a
splintered plank.
Villains" cried Frere, would you
swamp us? What do they mean to do
nextY'
The answer came pat to the question
From the dark hull of the brig broke
flash and a report, and a musket ball cut
the water beside them with a chirping
noise. Between the black indistinct mass
which represented the brig and the glim-
mering water was visible a white speck
which gradually neared them.
Come alongside with ye," hailed
voice, 'or 1t will be worse for yel''
They want to murder u.s." says Frere
give way, men,.
But the two soldiers, exchanging
glances one with the other, pulled the
boats head round and made for the yes
sci. Its no use, Mr.. Frere" said the
man nearest him, 1--WE can do no good
now, and they won't hurt us, dare
say"
You are in league with them." bursts
out Frere, purple with indignation. do
you mutinyY'
Come, come, SIR" returned the sol
der, sulkily; this amt the time to bully;
and as for mutlny. why, one mans
about as good as another just now"
When they reached the brig they
found that the jolly boat had been low
cred and laid alongside. In her were
eleven personalities, with forehead
gashed and hands bound: the stunned
Grimes, Russen and Fair pulling; Lyon,
Riley, Cheshire and Lesly with muskets,
and John Rex In the stern sheets, with
Bates pistols in his trousers belt and
loaded musket across his knees. The
white object which had been seen by
the men in the whaleboat was a large
white shawl which wrapped Mrs. Wick
ers and Sylvia.
By the direction of Rex. the whale
boat was brought alongside the jolly
boat, and Cheshire and Lesly boarded
her. Lesly then gave his musket to
Rex, and bound Frere's hands behind
Kim in the same manner as had been
done for Bates. Frere attempted to re-
sist this indignity; but Cheshire, clap
ping his musket to his ear, swore he
would blow out his Drains if he uttered
another syllable; and Frere. catching
the malignant eye of John Rex, remem-
! bered how easily Il twitch of the finger
would pay off old scores, and was silent
"Step in here, sir if you please" said
Rex, with polite irony. II am sorry to
8ebe compelled to tie you, but l must
Consult my own safety as we'll as your
Iconvenience." Frere scowled and, step
ping awkwardly into the jolly boat, fell.
DIP inioned as he was, he could not rise
without assistance, and Russen pulled
: him roughly to his feet, with coarse
01augh In his present frame of mind,
that laugh CALLED him worse than his
bonds.
Poor Mrs. Vickers, with a womans
= luick instinct saw this, and even amid
Oller swn trouble found leisure to console.
v'The wretches!' she said, under her
breath, as Frere was flung down beside
Boer, Ito subject you to such indignityr'
Sylvia said nothing and seemed to shrink
Boron the lieutenant,
r. "Now, my lads" says Rex, who seem
I'D to have endued the cast-off author
.y of Frere, 1--WE give you your choice
20 tay at Helrs Gates or come with us,
can't walt here ali night The wind
SD, freshening, and we must make the
ar Which is 1t to be?"
Boy well go with you!" says the man
ho had pulled stroke in the whaleboat
pom which utterance the convicts burst
to joyous cries and the pair were re
lived with much hand shaking.
Then Rex, with Lyon and Riley as q
lard got into the whaleboat, and hay
g loosed the two prisoners from tbeir
,nds, ordered them to take the place,
u Russen and Fair. The whalehoa,
rs manned by the seven mutineers
* steering, Fair, Russen and the tw,
cruits pulling, the other four standin.
with their muskets leveled at tn
ly boat. Their long slavery had be
tten such dread of authority In thes
IN that they feared 1t even when
- bound and menaced by four anus
f -. keep your distance.' shoute
eshire, as Frere and Bates, in obe
nee to orders, began TO pull the joll
It toward the shore; and In this fasl
was the dismal little party conveye
HI II.