Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-08-25

as the weeks that had passed since
they left the Thames had given them
better food and drink, and lessened
the severity of those above them, real
obedience had come.
1t was not strange that the ship ran
we'll. for all the officers under the new
conditions, except Dyck himself had
had previous experience. The old lieu
tenants had gone, but midshipmen,
who In any case were trained, had
taken their places. The rest Of the
ships staff were the same, except the
captain; and as Dyck had made n
friend of Greenock the master, man
of GUINNESS, the days were peaceful
enough during the voyage to the Carib-
bean sea.
The majority saw that every act or
Dyck had proved him just and capable
He had rigidly insisted on gun prac-
tice; he had keyed up the marines to
better spirit, and churlishness had
been promptly punished. He was' In
effect, what the sailors called a
"rogue." or "taut one"-Seld0m
smiling. gaunt of face but fearless of
eye, and with q body free from fatigue.
AS the weather grew warmer and
the days longer, and they drew near TO
the coast of Jamaica, stir of excite
ment was shown.
you'd like to know what I'm going
to do, Michael, I suppose?" said Dyck
one morning, as he drank 'his coffee
and watched the sun creeping up the
sky. "Well, in three days we shall
know what's to become of us, and l
have no doubt or fear. This ships a
rebel, but it's returning to duty. We've
shown them how ship can be run
with good food and drink and fair deal
ing, and please God, We'll have some
work to do now that belongs to man.
of-warW
"Sir l know what you mean to do,
replied Michael. you mean to get
all of us off by giving yourself up"
"Well, some one has to pay for what
we've done, Michael" A dark, ruth
less light came into Dyck's eyes.
"Some ones got to pay" A grim smile
crossed his face. "We've done the for
hidden thing; we've mutinied and taken
to the open sea. We were fired on by
the other mutiny ships, and that will
help our sailors, but it won't help me.
I'm the leader We ought, of course,
to have taken refuge with the nearest
squadron of the kings ships. Well, I've
run my luck, and I'll have to pay"
He scratched his chin with thumb
nail-a permanent physical trait You
see, the government has pardoned all
the sailors, and will hang only tire
leaders. l expect Parker is hung al
ready. Well, Pm the leade' on the
Ariadne. I'm taking this ship straight
to his majesty's West Indian fleet. in
thorough discipline, and I'll hand 1t
over well found, well manned, we'll Of
ficered. on condition that all go free
except myself. l came aboard COM
mon sailor, a quota man, q prison
bird, penniless. Well, have I shown
that can run a ship? Have learned
the game of control? During the
weeks we've beer at sea, bursting
along, have I proved myself2"
Michael smiled.
"What did / say to you the first
night on board, sir? Didn't l say
they'd make an officer Of you when
they found out what brains you had?
By st. Patrick, you've made yourself
captain with the goodwill Of all, and
vour iron hand has held the thing to-
gether. You've got great head, too,
sir"
Dyek looked at him with face in
which the far future showed.
| f'NIichael. I've been lucky. I've been
well served. 1t was great thing,
making the new leutenants from the
midshipmen. There never was a bet
ter lot on board ship"
Before the day was over the whole
ship was alive with anticipation, for,
in the far distance, could be seen the
Clark blue and purplish shadows which
told Of land; and this brought the
minds of all to the end of their jour
ney, with thoughts Of the crisis near.
Word had been passed that all on
board were considered safe-all eX-
cept the captain who had maneuvered
them to the entrance Of the Caribbean
sea. Had he been of their own origin,
they would not have placed so much
credence in the rumOr; but coming as
he did of an ancient Irish family, al
though he had been in Jail for killing,
the traditional respect for the word
of q gentleman influenced them. When
q man like FerenS. on the one hand,
and q mutineer whose fingers had
been mutilated by Dyck in the chan
mel, on the other-when these agreed
to bend themselves to the rule Of a
usurper, some idea Of Calhoun'S pow
er may be got.
On this day, with the glimmer of
land in the far distance. the charges
Of all the guns were renewed. Also
word was passed that at any moment
the ship must be cleared for action.
Down in the cockpit the tables were
got ready by the surgeon and the lob
lollv boys; the magazines were opened,
and the guards were put on duty.
To the right of the Ariadne was the
u..... nf EnLn To 1hn loft WnS the