Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-08-18


two-thirds bone and gristle, and before
it came into the cooks hands capable
Of being polished like mahogany. He
threatened the cook with punishment
if he found the meals ill-cOoked.
OF the common sailors, on the whole,
Dyck had little doubt. He had in
formed them that, whatever happened,
they should not be in danger; that the
ship should not join the West Indian
feet unless every man except himself
received amnesty. If the amnesty was
nos granted. then one of two things
should happen-the ship must make
for South American port, or she must
fight. Fighting would not brighten
these men.
1t was rather among the midship-
men that Dyck looked for trouble.
Sometimes, with only two years train
ing at Gosport, youngster became a
midshipman on first going to sea, and
he could begin as early as eleven years
Of age. A second-rate ship like the
Ariadne carried eighteen midshipmen :;
and as six lieutenants were appointed
from them, only twelve remained.
From these twelve, in the dingy after
cockpit where the superficial area was
not more than twelve square feet;
where the air was foul, and the bilges
reeked with pestilential stencil;
where the rurser's storero0m near
gave out the smell of rancid but
ter and poisonous cheese; where the
musty faint of old ropes came to them,
there was a spirit Of danger
Dyck was right in thinking that in
the midshipmen's dismal berth the first
flowers of revolt to his rule would
bloom.
Sailors, even as low as the pig-sty
men, had some idea of fair play; and
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
well. 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 a
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 Of
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"-seldOm
smiling, gaunt of face but fearless of
eye, and with body free from fatigue.
the days longer, and they drew near to
the coast of Jamaica, a 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 a 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 a man.
Of-warw
"Sir, 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 the
leaders. l expect Parker is. hung al
ready. Well, I'm the leader on the
Ariadne. I'm taking this ship straight
to his majesty's West Indian feet, In
thorough discipline, and I'll hand il
over we'll found, we'll manned, well of
ficered, on condition that all go free
except myself. / came aboard a com
mon sailor, quota man, prison
bird, penniless. Well, have | shown
that / can run ship? Have l learned
the game of control? During the
weeks we've been at sea, bursting
along, have l proved myself2"
Michael smiled
what did say to you the first
night on board, sir? Didn't / say
they'd make an officer of you wher
they found out what brains you had
BY st. Patrick, you've made yourself
captain with the goodwill of all, anC
| yOur iron hand has held the thing to