Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-31

arm in a sling ne was not at present
fighting with fists or against them;
neither was he opposing iron Delay
ing-pins. He was simply the signed
first officer OF .his ship, whose life
was threatened. and he took the
right and proper course OF action.
With sudden sidespring he drew
revolver and fred left-handed at
Dick: but he missed, and proved that
his excellent craftsmanship with the
marline-spike was merely accidental.
Dick rushed toward him and the on
Ger fired again as he retreated. Dick
followed on, in frenzy borne Of his
danger, risking death because he
loved life, seeking only to get at this
man who was trying to kill him.
Around the BOBBY hatch they man
oenvred around the capstan. back
to the poop steps, and forward again
until, at the main hfe rail, as the
mate paused to fire his fifth shot, a
report rang out from the poop, and
he whirlcd around in his tracks with
arms extended. rceled, fell. and lay
quiet on the deck Dick turned, and
saw the ensign lowering a smoking
rife from his shoulder.
Down from aloft, everybody"
sang out preen. 'Halpin come
here" Dick approached and re-
ceived revolver handed down to
him. Call the second mate-call
the watch. forward there" he added
in voice which the men scrambling
down from the rigging had not heard
before
Sawyer appeared; the firing had
awakened him He rubbed his eyes
az he looked at the quiet form on the
deck amidships: then he looked at
Dick, caIelessly holding his pistol
muzzle down. snA at Breen above on
the house.
Sawyer" said Bfeen. the United
States expects war with Spain, and
I've taken charge Of this ship as a
| naval officer. think I've killed the
skipper. Shall kill you, too, or will
you take orders from me-"
Don't kill me, SIR" answered
! Sawyer. with a deprecatory gesture,
while tho slightest trace Of a smilo
| came TO his face Il submit to a
| show of force. I'll take orders from
! anybody with gun Just tell me
what I'm to do, sir. o."
Get all hands aft here at once"
VERY good. sir -
The speech which Breen made to
/ the men when they appeored before
! him was short. sharp and express
/ siva. In Il he stated his position
/ with regard to the government and
| the law He granted permission for
/ any and all OF them to disbelieve
( him before his future handling Of
/ the ship and themselves convinced
/ them Of the truth OF his word, but
promised instant death TO the first
man who should act on his disbelief.
| To which the men, with wonder and
/ shock In their faces, made no re-
/ Spouse. They shuffied their feet I'M
easily, looking Mt each other, at the
! complaisant second mate. at the
! stern-faced Dick, and at the sterner-
| faced young man on the house who
I
ness, politeness. and Difference to
superiority Eight bells at the wheel
struck while Breen waited for their
answer, and with an impatient ges-
ture he said. Mr.. Sawyer. send two
men up here to lift the captain
down TO the mizzen hatch"
Very good, sir" answered Saw
yer. with man-of- war s-mans sa-
lutte. Wagner Swanson. bear a
hand here Up on the house WI you
and bring the skipper down"
The two men hesitsted. looking at
each other and around at their ship
mates; then they looked mp atBreen.
slowly bringing hiG rife to his shout
der, and started for the steps. Their
examination seemed to decide the
rest; when Sawyer ordered two 9TH
ers to carry the mate to the hatch.
they obeyed readily
The captain was carried down and
laid beside the mate: then Breen
called out: Strike eight bells Din
ner. the watch" and the men moved
slowly forward. Breen had mastered
them.