The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-03-28

to excite the cup1d1ty OF q common
sailor. Waterman was so proud of be-
ing intrusted with the amount-about
~$12.000-that he had to tell one of the
mel about it. The worst Of 1t was that
we were obliged to make up the crew
at Naples in order to take the ship back
to New York. and any one who has
ever been in Naples will understand
what kind of men we were obliged to
accept. Some Of them were a weak
ened. degraded lot. while the rest look
ed as If they had e service az brig
ands. The fact is that before we got
through with. them I made up my mind
that they had spent the greater part OF
their lives behind bars.
When we sailed away from Naples
I confess l had misgivings about ever
getting across the Atlantic with such
q crew. The second mate. aanford.
felt a good deal as l did about 1t, but
the captain didn't seem to feet the
least uneasy. Before making due
westward we went down to Messina
to take on oranges. The evening Of our
arrival I noticed by the looks Of the
men and certain hurried consultations
that took place among small groups Of
them that something was brewing.
Instead Of going to my berth when
came OF watch and feeling uneasy.
when no one saw me l slipped into
one Of the ships boats. hadn't been
there very long before there was a
commotion beneath me. I heard shots
down between decks. and several Of
the crew poured up the companion
way. and the whole lot Of them
talked hurriedly directly beneath the
boat l was in. I knew by what was
said that they had killed the captain
and the second mate and had been
disappointed in not finding me in my
berth. What had become of me was
their chief topic Of conversation. and
It seemed to trouble them very much.
Some one said that he had e a man
leap overheard, and this seemed to
satisfy them that l had thus escaped.
but they didn't propose to take any
chances. and their leader. dividing the
ship into sections. detailed two men
to search each section. Certain Of
being captured If I remained where I
was. when no one was near me I let
myself down into the water and.
swimming to the rudder. climbed up on
II. Not being a 6rst class swimmer, l
didn't dare to try to get to the shore.
which was fully a mile distant.
It wasn't long before l heard the
anchor being drawn up. and ! felt sure
that the men were going to put out
somewhere and I would stand a good
chance Of being drowned perched
where ! a However. couldn't
help myself and must take my chances
Of meeting death that way rather than
giving myself up to be murdered.
They sailed northeastward and In q
few hours came near land. which was
a part Of the toe Of the boot Of Italy.
as it appears on the map. They coast
ed along till they came to q very thin
~ settled region from which noun
tains rose from a beach. There they
an the ship ashore. Taking two Of
the boats. they landed. and. turning
the boats adrift. they began to walk
northward OF the beach.
was now relieved of my fear and
turned my whole energies toward fol-
lowing them up and turning them owe
to the authorities for punishment.
Swimming forward to the bowsprit
chains. I climbed up on deck. lowered
Z boat and when the men were pass
ing around q spur In the mountain
pulled away from the ship. When i
came in sight Of them again !. was to
them simply q man In . boat for they
were too far away to ses who I was.
and. in order to lull any suspicious
they might have. ] pretended TO b
fishing.
After proceeding northward for 4
couple Of hours. coming to Z gap. they
turned eastward. pulled ashore and.
leaving my boat. took the only road
they could have followed. They stop
ped At q small town. and ! halted out
sids. When they left the place ! en-
tersdli e. and. finding telegraph facilitisa>
4 sent Z message 70 tie nsare1t"point
whefs ! would b likely 70 6nd . po-
tice force sumcisnt 10 handle them and
ssnt IN account Of the Situation. With
sths. direction the men were moving.
Twas requested TO kssp track Of them
e possible and post the police from
time % tdms Of any change IN their
.route.
Abont 5 O'Clock IN the afternoon !.
inst tho police ydstachment and guided
xAn.n ~ : oneut -hn- II knn-, thnnnAm