The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-01-26

IL knocked out by one CONAN to bull
ship. Stoughton 'asnt got used TO II
yet, but he will. got used to II long
ago. Ny old DOMAINS cOrker. When
she's mad ye'd think the thunder wan
a-rolln'. When see one o them
storms a-comin' I've Earned to take IN
all sail batten down the atches and
let the storm blow Itself out. Then
there's dead calm for a spell, and
fair breeze follers."
Billings, an experienced man. talked
to those without any experience what.
ever To be out on d trackless ocean
dismasted was one tblng-there was
still disclpllne-but 10 be there with
the captain and all hands subdued by
one who had never studied navigation
and couldn't make an observation was
another The first wOnld be In the
line of sailors He; the second there
was no precedent for Something
must be done. one proposition after
another was made discussed and dis
carded. Finally Dick Smalls, one Of
the younger members OF the crew,
spoke up:
ats plain that Mrs. Stoughton has
mutinled and took the ship don't
see that there Is anything for US to do
but mutiny agin the new master aud
take the ship ourselves"
That's all VERY well, mates" put
in Tom Billings "perwidin' you can
get rid o the 'ooman But after ye
got the ship what We gon' to do with
herr Hain't she still in commando
That's my experience"
This was poser, especially as the
crew. nearly all Of whom were single
men, had great respect for Tom Bill
lings' opinion on anything concerning
the opposite sex.
at seems to me. mates" continued
Billings, that ye're up agin want
O. knowledge O nayigatln' the female
craft. All ye got TO do is to put EN-
afore the wind and let 'em scud Ye
can't steer 'em, and If ye try ven sure
come to grief But l knows there
hain't no use o. talkin to you. You're
bound to run this here business yer
own way, so ye can count me out
With that he went on deck.
The next day the mutIny plan was
carried out The men, except Slough
ton, who was not consulted marched
aft in a body and demanded the per-
son of the "'ooman as has took this
oh In at
Of resistance, combining himself to
words instead of acts, then told them
that being powerless In face Of a
united crew, they could do what they
liked with the woman.
A round robin Of four men was up
pointed to take Mrs. Stoughton down
into the hold and turn her adrift,
where she would have plenty of room
| to walk back and forth like Gagged
lioness. They put bedding down with
! her, and II WAS understood that her
meals should be let down to her regu-
/ larry.
did We obsarye the look on her face
matesf" remarked Billings after the
woman had been safely put away.
when they looks that way It means
the weather glass Is a-goin' down like
lead"
Three days passed without any trou-
BILE so far as the prisoner was con
cerned From the moment she was
put below the accustomed cheerfulness
came back to the crew, enhanced by
contrast with their late condition. But
on the fourth day when the captain
was standing on the poop deck and a
large sea rolled under the vessel he
noticed that she didn't rise with her
accustomed buoyancy. Billings was
standing by at the time,
whats the matter with her.
growled the captain to himself.
"It's my opinion, sir" said Billings.
putting his knuckles to his cap, that
there's somepin la the cargo as don't
belong there"
what do you meani' asked the
captain anxiously.
THE CONAN"
"Well?"
when she was put in the hold |
was wonderin' what she'd do, so I've
kept my blinkers open. The ships
drawin' more water sir, than she did
three days ago"
You mean
"She scuttled."
The captain made a dive for the
companionway. calling on Billings to
follow. Entering the hold they found
four feet of water. The point of leak
age was covered so that they could not
see 1t, but they found some of the
carpenters tools of which Mrs.
Stoughton had possessed herself All
hands were called to man the pumps.
and when the water had been removed
large auger hole was discovered
few feet above the keel
The hole having been plugged, the
captain ordered Mrs. Stoughton locked
in her own cabin. then called the crew
aft and asked for suggestions as TO
what to do with her. Every man jack
of them looked at Billings, so the cap
tain asked for his advice.
There's Just two ways O. managin'
/ 'oomen. SIR" said the old salt. The
first is to git away from EN-, the SEC
ond to let 'em have their own way. |
can only judge by my own experience.