River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-08-15

who had been asleep in his bunk. He had
heard the pistol-shots without realizing what
they meant; then the cabin-boy, who had also
been reused by the commotion and had ven
tured to peep over the top of the companion
way to the deck, rushed in frenziedly to in
form him that the ships officers were being
murdered by the crew. The young giant
bounded out Of his bunk and, without wait
ing to put on clothes or boots, seized heavy
cane, the only weapon at hand, and made
for the deck.
AS he reached the head of the companion
way the mutineers saw him and swung the
door to, half a dozen of them putting their
combined weight against It,
Imprisoned with the cabin-boy in what had
been the officers quarters, for the single COM
panionway and the skylight were the only
means of egress, Won Hoydonck dressed him.
self and made a rapid search for weapons.
He was fortunate enough to find two revolv-
ers and box of cartridges in the captains
stateroom and these he put into his pockets.
Then he considered the situation. If, as was
doubtless the case, the captain and the first
and second mates had been killed, there was
no one on board capable of navigating the
ship save himself, for he had observed that
the ten members of the crew scarcely knew
one sail of the Lennie from the other. He
knew the men were aware that he was
qualified navigator, for he had laid out the
ships course for Captain Hatfield the second
day out
While Ven Hoyjonck was specializing on
these matters the skylight over the saloon
was pried UP few inches, and Green, the
boatswain, called to him. 1--WE want to have
a talk with you' he said. eve amt going
to hurt you. We've got a proposition to
make"
Considering that he might as we'll bring
10 last ho pa1o
responded, bidding Green come down to the
saloon. Won Hoydonck ensconced himself
behind the table, with revolver in his
hand and posted Henri a chair in the
corner with the other, which he babe him
keep pointed at the door When Green, fol-
lowed by the others, with Cargalis, Kaida and
Cascaris close at his back, appeared at the
portal, they were confronted by the two
weapons the one in the corner waving trem-
ulously, and the other steady in the hand
of the big Belgian.
"Ony one Of you inside the door," said
Won Hoydonck calmly. Come in, Green, and
let me know what you've got to say, quick!
Tell the others to keep back!"
Giving the order to his fellows, who were
quite willing to get out of range of the two
pistols seeming, indeed, to fear the one that
was wavering with the boys nerveless finger
on the trigger rather than the other, the
DOdJSWdlQ SU6pp0u up 10 the CdDI0, MS SWdrLQy
features twisted into what was intended to be
an ingratiating grin, and said: 1--WE don't
intend to do you any harm. We've finished
with the others"
What do you mean?"
We've finished with the captain and the
first and second mates, and thrown their
bodies overheard" Green explained
What do you want of me?"
1--WE want you to join u.s." said the Greek.
There's fortune here for all of u.s.
He proceeded to explain that Cargalis was
his cousin and that they had an uncle in
Greece who was dealer in nautical goods
and incidentally ''fence" for stolen ships
who would buy the Lennie and her cargo for
cash If they should deliver her off Zacyn-
thus, an island near the cost in the Ionian
sea- If Won Hoydonck would navigate the
ship to the point described, Green told him,
he would be permitted to share and share
alike with the ten members of the crew in
the proceeds of the sale of vessel and cargo.
While the boatswain was speaking an idea
flashed across Won Hoydonck's mind-to
seem to agree to the proposition to sail the
Lennie to Greece, but relying on the ignor-
ance of the crew. actually to navigate her to
England in the opposite direction, turn her