Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-03-06
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
ri APTAIN SELOVER received as
his due the most absolute and
implicit obedience imaginable.
~ When he condescended to give
an order in his own person, the men
fairly jumped to execute 1t. The mat
ter had evidently been thrashed out
long ago. They did not love him, not
they, but they feared him with a
mighty fear and did not hesitate to
say SO wildly and often when In the
privacy Of the forecastle. The pre-
yailing spirit was that of the wild
beast cowed but snarling still. Pull
and Thrackles in especial had great
deal to say Of what they were or were
not going to do, but noticed that
their resolution always began to run
the companion ladder.
One day we were loafing along, ev-
erything drawing well and everybody
but the doctor on deck to enjoy the
sun. I was in the crows nest for my
pleasure. Below me on the deck Cap
tain Seloyer roamed here and there,
as was his custom, his eye cooked out
like housewives for disorder. He
found 1t, again In the evidence Of ex-
pectoration, and ns Perdosa happened
to be handiest fell on the unfortunate
Mexican.
Perdosa protested that he had had
nothing to do with 1t, but Captain Sell
over, enraged as always when his
precious deck was soiled. would not
listen. Finally the Mexican grew sui
ky and turned away as though refus-
ing to hear more. The captain there
upon felled him to the deck and began
brutally to kick him In the face and
head.
Perdosa writhed and begged, but
without avail. The other members
Of the crew gathered near. After a
moment they began to murmur. Final
ly Thrackles yentured most respectful
ly to intervene.
you'll kill him. SIR" he interposed.
Hes had enough"
Had enough, has he7" screeched
the captain. We'll, you take what's
left"
He marked Thrackles over the eye.
There was breathless pause, and
then Thrackles, Pull, the niger and
Perdosa attacked at once.
They caught the master unawares
and bore him to the deck. dropped
ut once to the ratlines and commenced
my descent Before I had reached the
deck, however, Selover was afoot
again, the four hanging to. him like
dogs. In moment more he had shak-
en- them off, and before could inter
| vene he had seized Delaying pin In
either hand and was hazing them up
and down the deck.
"Afutiny, would your he shrllled.
"You poor swabs! Forgot who was
your captain, did ye? Well, It's Cap
tain Ezra Selover, and you can lay to
that! 1t would need about eight fa-
thom of stuff like you to tie me down"
He chased them forward, and he
chased them aft. and every time the
pins fell blood followed. Finally they
dived like rabbits into the forecastle
hatch. Captain Seloyer leaned down
after them.
"Now tie yourselves up" he advised,
"and then come on deck and clean up
after yourselves" He turned to me.
"Mr. Eagen, turn out the crew to clea,
| decks.'
descended to the forecastle, follow
cd Immediately by Handy Solomon
The latter had taken no part In thu
affair. We found the men In horribl,
shape, what with the bruises and cuts
and bleeding freely. ~
Nov, you're nice looking Sunda,
SCHOOL," observed Handy Solomon
eying them sardonically. Tackle Oh
Scrubs, will ye? WE'LL some needs {
bale Of cotton to fall on 'em afort
they learns anything. Enjoyed you
little diversions, mates? And wat d.
you expect to gain? ] asks you tina
now. You poor little infants! Ain
you never tackled him afore? Dom
remember a little, brigantine, name O
the Petrol! My eye, but you are pacl
Of fools"
To this he received no reply. TIL,
men sullenly assisted each other. Thel
they went Immediately on deck and t
work.
After this taste Of his quality Cap
tain seloyer enjoyed q quiet ship. W.
made good time, but for long while
nothing happened. Finally the mo
potony was broken by an Incident.
One evening before the night winds
! sat In the shadow of the extra dor.