Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-05-01
Caught In a Trap


an American father and a Spanish
mother. He was dark enough to pass
anywhere for an Aztec. Juan married
a Cuban girl and went to South Amer
lea, finally finding himself stranded at
Rio with a young wife and two little
children, a boy and girl. He wished
to get back to Cuba, but had not the
wherewithal to pay his fare and that
Of his family He, found a vessel about
to sail that was short of hands and
made bargain to work in exchange
for the passage Of himself and family.
Mrs. Walker and the children were
given a room in the main cabin, but
Juan bunked with the crew in the
forecastle, taking his turn at the
watch. The vessel touched at Bahia,
taking aboard ten Of the worst looking
men in the two Americas. They were
all Spanish or mixture of Spanish
and native. They wished to go to Ha-
vana, but as they had no money the
captain agreed to take them in the
forecastle, provided they would help
work the ship, which was not more
than half manned.
The regular crew besides Walker
consisted of Germans, Swedes and
Irish, seven in all. The Spaniards left
these men to themselves, but attempt
ed to make friends with Walker, who,
not liking their looks and fearing to
have trouble with them, pretended to
accept their confidence. They soon
told him that they were going to seize
the ship, take what they wished and
go ashore on some lonely coast. Walk
er agreed to join them if they would
make him their leader and give him a
third of the plumber. This they as
scented to, and Walker, having slipped
away from them, went to the captain
and told him the story.
Captain Kinsella was frightened out
Of his senses at the prospect. He had an
equal number of men to the mutineers,
but this did not allay his fears. Juan
Walker fearing especially for his wife
and children, told the captain that If
he didn't show himself a man and
take measures for their safety he would
put himself at the head of the crew and
defend the ship himself. The coward
captain gave up the command to Walk
er, giving him full authority to act for
the general safety. The new COM
mander withdrew the crew from the
forecastle one by one, and as each man
reported aft he was armed to the teeth.
The mutineers, noticing that none Of
the men returned and suspecting that
their plan had been discovered, re-
solved to put it into operation at once.
They marched, or, rather, scuffied aft,
armed, to demand the surrender Of the
ship. Walker advanced to meet them.
Pointing to chalk line he had drawn
across the deck amidships. he told them
that any man passing this dead line
would be shot instantly.
Surprised to see their confidant in
command, they Withdrew, consulted
and opened desultory fire on the
crew, the crew responding in kind.
There was not much damage done, for
both parties were concealed. The mu-
tineers were at an advantage, for they
prevented the crew from properly
working the ship. So long as the
weather was fine the vessel could be
kept on her course, but if it should
change there would be trouble. The
crew were kept on watch for two days
and nights, when they We're completely
worn out. The captain insisted on run
ming the ship near to the shore, though
he did not make his reasons plain for
doing so. Walker. who had plan of
his own and because the crew seemed
to wish 1t, consented.
On the third night Of the mutiny,
while the vessel was moving slowly
within short distance of the coast.
Walker selected half the crew, armed
them and tied a strip Of white about
the left arm of each, lowered boat.
put his men into 1t and noiselessly low
cred 1t into the water, having oiled the
pulleys to prevent creaking. Then he
spoke to the mate, pretty good man,
whom he left in command:
VIC Siidit tic DDW, get lntO
the anchor chains and on to the fo'cas-
tie. We hope to either batten down
the fo'castle, penning them In, or sur
prise and overpower them. AS soon as
you hear any noise rush forward with
the rest of the crew. But be careful
not to strike us through mistake. 1t Is
to prevent such mistakes that we wear
the strip of white on our left arms"
There was paddle aboard with
which one of the men kept the boats
nose into the vessel, and they worked
her slowly forward with their hands.
They had gained a point amidships
when suddenly they heard splash
foreward. They paused. There was
another splash. and another, till they
had counted ten splashes. Walker
knew the mutineers were endeavoring
to save their necks by attempting to
swim ashore, distance Of over mile.
He smiled. III ever rat was caught
In trap these men were. When he
had counted the ten sblashes he gave