The San Francisco call., 1908-08-16
CHAPTER VII
Christina. in Captivity

word, and within the next few
days the American prisoners
were made as comfortable as
circumstances would permit. Captain
Bainbridge was allowed the privilege
Of a personal attendant. and for this
he chose Bulge, who hao sailed with
him during several cruises. The SAIL
ors and marines were required to labor
upon the forahcations. This, however,
Captain cambridge did not regard as a
hardship, but the best thing possible
for the men. who were better OF with
regular hours Of work in the open air
than cooped up IN demoralizing idle
ness within prison walls BY Sidi Mo-
hammed's ceaseless vigilance and firm
authority the sailors and marines were,
on the whole, we'll fed and well treated.
They were Quartered in the same
building as the officers, and were thus
suu under naval discipline. It was
not possible, however, that the Tripoli-
tans should not sometimes abuse their
power. and they determined, for some
trihing breach Of discipline, TO admin
American sailors. Included with them
was Bulge. who stoutly declared that
the Tripolitan who had given infor-
nation against the sailors was lying.
When the bastinado punishment was
administered the shrieks and yells of
the sailors filled the building. This
was most distressing to the officers
who heard it. Captain Bainbridge at
once demanded to be taken to the SAIL
ors' quarters. The permission was not
obtained without considerable diff
Guilty.
When finally. burning with indigna-
tion. he was escorted to the long, mar
row stone corridors in which the sail
ors were lodged, and was left alone
with them. the group. lately bastina-
doed and shrieking and bowling at the
top OF their lungs. were grinning de-
lightedly among themselves.
How is this. my men?' cried Cap
tain Bainbridge.
~Jes' this sir. if you please, sir" re-
piled Bulge. advancing and ducking his
head, them Tripolitan thieves and
raskils did lambast US pretty hard on
the soles Of our feet, but we had
wrapped 'em UP well in cloths and old
stockings, not lettin' on to the Tripoli-
tans, and then we raised such a racket,
sir, a yellin' and bawlin,, that they
thought they were KILN US. But as
far as that goes, sir, it didn't hurt
nothin' 70 speak Of"
Captain Bainbridge could not for
bear laughing at the sailors ruse.
Nevertheless he was indignant that the
TripoIitans should dare strike an
American at ALL
He returned TO his own quarters and,
sending a message to Sidi Mohammed,
asked his presence at the prison. Sidi
dohammed promptly appeared, and
then Captain cambridge informed him
that If another blow were laid upon
an American sailor the Tripolitans
would have to pay for IL ten times
over when the day Of reckoning should
come. Sidi Mohammed listened atten-
lively. and retired fully convinced that
II would not be safe TO administer that
kind OF punishment again.
Meanwhile, in the midshipmen's quar-
ters. the screams OF the sailors under
going their punishment had created the
most painful impression. Dicky Fall
coner with diniculty restrained his
tears. and when Salvatore. the Neapoli-
tan slave, came into the midshipmen's
room 70 bring the jars OF water for
the night, and said that Bulge was
the first victim, Dicky sat down on his
palIet and wept openly
The gentlemen need not be dis
.-essed. however, said Salvatore, with
slv smile. The sailors are very
,y,se- They wrapped their feet in
cloths and pulled their stockings on
o,,e- them. and every time the stick
was laid on they screamed as If they
we're being torn limb from limb. but
- did no, hurt them in the least"
a. this a shout of delight burst
from the nidshipmen. and Dicky. dry
ing his tears. jumped up and capered
about the room shouting:
That's just like Bulge; he is the
cleverest fellow alive"
This was the last time that any
American sailor received a blow dur
ing their whole captivity.
one Of sidi Mohammed D'Ghies' first
acts Of kindness to the American cap
,,ves was Offering TO honor acquisitions
ua6e by Captain Bainbridge for any
.rtscIes which the Tripolitan govern
Deut would permit him TO furnish the