The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-17

the dark thuttering, shaking roar,
that swelled to q shrek and died away
tho voice of the great steam foghorn
Of the Skakit light.
"Ughw muttered Swensen. I'VE vos
that neary'
Burke came bounding up the COM
panion ladder. Something bright and
shiny cleaned In his hand.
'Now. then." be cried, "we'll see
what
But two mammoth paws clasped his
wrists. the hand with the revolver was
turned backward till the barrel point
cd at the end of the gaff and big SVEN
sens voice said calmly:
Yah. guess not. Yust valt q min
ute. Mr.. Burke. Mr., Neekerson, vat I
do Wit him, heyT
1t was mutiny, Of course. mutiny
pure and simple, but Bradley had gone
too far to back out now.
Take him below and lock him In his
stnteroom." he said. "Tell the doctor
to soc that he doesn't break out. Then
come back to me. Yes. you may give
me the revolver"
Swensen twisted the pistol from the
first mates hand and then. picking him
up as he would ten-year-old boy,
started Tor the cabin. Burke struggled
furiously and swore like q wild man,
but he couldn't break away. The
shouts grew fainter and then were
mufiied almost entirely by the closing
Of the stateroom door.
Bradley put the revolver In his
pocket.
Now. then. men," he said, ''I'm skip
per OF this schooner for the rest Of this
voyage. IL there anybody here that
doesn't understand it2 Not All right.
OLeary, 60 for'ard on lookout. Peter
SON. heave the lead Swensen," as the
big Swede came up the ladder, take
the wheel and keep her a. abe ia"
All that morning until daybreak sent
the fog rolling TO the north In tumbled
clouds the lad was going, and the
crew were busy on the Thomas Doano.
Bradley stood Close at Ewenseu's elbow
and edged her out, feeling his way
with the lead and listening to the calls
Of the fog horns. The schooners own
foot power horn was kept footing. and
BY and BY, a. they got out into the
ship channel, It was answered by other
horns and bells. some close aboard,
some distant
But by breakfast time it was clear
and flne. and, before a cracking wind.
the schooner walked along as n she
realised her escape and was trying to
show her gratitude. Through that day
Bradley stood BY the wheel. only leav-
Ing to eat . mouthful and to inquire
after Captain Titcomb. who was much
improved and beginning to ask oues-
lions. And Just at dusk the gilt dome
Of the Boston statehouse shone dimly
In the dying light. and the Thomas
Doane. resting from her labors, moved
easily behind the tug up to her dock.
She had made splendid time, but Brad
ley was far from happy. There was
trouble coming. and he knew It.
He sent word to the cook ordering
the latter to unlock the stateroom door
and release the imprisoned first mate.
A minute later the cook came ON deck.
his eyes shining with excitement
"Mr. Burke. he 60 right into the skip
per's room and shut the door," whis.
pered the Portuguese. Aid now they
talk. talk, talk. And Mr.. Burke be-
swear all tho time"
When the first mate appeared he did
not speak to any one, but jumped TO
the wharf and hurried away. A doctor
was sent for and Captain Titcomb's
wound was dressed. The physician said
the injury was not serious. There was
no conclusion Of the. braun. and the pa
Bradley didn't sleep much that night
Next morning the captain sent for him.
When the second mate entered the
stateroom he found the skipper sitting
on the edge Of the berth with a big
bandage on his head, but looking very
bright and like himself.
He seemed oddly embarrassed when
Bradley came In. For moment or
two he did not speak. The second mate,
who had expected .scorrhing rebuke
and was prepared to meet II, was sur
prised at the mildness Of the first re-
mark.
"Now. then. Brad" said Captain hit.
comb. set down. What's this about
you and the mate? Tell the whole
yarn. first and last"
So Bradley told 1t Just as It happen-
ed-the crews behavior, his suspicious,
the sighting OF the light and what fol.
lowed.
"Humph!" Captain Ezra nodded.
"Yup. that's about what Burke said.
Now. Brad. s'pose you knew that
Mr.. Burke was your superior officer
and that what he said was law for you,
didn't your
"Yes. sir; but
"Never mind the butts now. Taking
command by force is serious-mighty