The diamond drill., 1921-08-27

WIZ
sa,tsd 6rasely Through the Leaden
Scorn.
storm Once-twte-thrfce she was
hit but she sped on BY daylight the
ArtadDe was we'll away from tho land.
The first thing Dyck had done, after
escaping from the river. was 10 study
the wants OF the Ariadne and make an
estimate for the future with Greenock.
the master. He calculated they. had
food and water enough TO last for
three months, even with liberal pro-
usioning. Going among the crew, he
realized there was no depression
among them that they seemed 70 care
little where they were going. II was,
however, quite clear they wished TO
nght-to fight the enemies OF England.
Perhaps no mutineer In the history
OF the world ever succeeded, as did
Dyck Calhoun. In holding control over
fellow-mutineers on the Journey from
the English channel 20. the Caribbean
sea. AS boy Dyck had been an ex-
pert sailor, had studied the machinery
OF man-of-war, and his love OF the
sea was innate and deep-seated; but
his present success was based upon
more than experience. Quite apart
from the honor OF his nature, prison
had deepened IN him the hatred of tn
justice. In soul he was bitter: In body
he was healthy. powerful and sane.
Slowly, sternly. yet tactfully, he had
broken down the many customs of ship
life injurious to the welfare OF tho
men. Under his system tho sailors
had good coffee for breakfast. instead
of q horrible mixture made OF burnt
biscuits cooked In foul water. He gave
the men pea soup and rice instead OF
burgoo and tho wretched oatmeal mess
which was the staple thing for break
fnst He saw 10 II that the meat was
no longer a hateful. repulsive mass
two-thirds bone and gristle, and before
II came into the cooks hands capable
u being polished like mahogany. He
threatened the cook with punishment
II no found the meals pl-cooked.
or the common sailors, on tire whole.
Dyck had little doubt. lie 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. IL the amnesty was
not granted, then one OF two things
should happen-the ship must make
for South American port. or she must
fight Fighting wouId not frighten
these men.
II was rather among the midship-
men that Dyck looked for trouble.
Sometimes, with only two years trnin-
ing at Gosport, youngstcr became a
midshipman on first going 10 sea, and
he could begin as carly as eleven pears
Of aGe A socondrate ship like the
Ariadne carried eighteen midshipmen;
and ns 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 q pcstilendal stencil:
where the purser's storeroom near
gave out the smell OF rancid but
ter and poisonous cheese; where the
musty tnint of old ropes came 10 them,
there was a spirit of danger.
Dyck was right In thinking that I'm
the midshipmen's dismal berth the first
flowers OF revolt TO his rule would
bloom.
Sailors, even ns low as the pig-sty
men, bad 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
obcdience had come.
II wns 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
cnptain; and as Dyck had made a
friend OF Greenock the master, man
OF guinness, the days were peaceful
enough during the voyage 20 the Carib-
bean sen.
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 10
better spirit, and churlishness had
been promptly punished. He was, m
effect, what the sailors called
rogue" or "taut one"--seldom
smiling. gnunt OF face but fearless OF
eye. and with body free from fatigue.
Az the weather grew warmer and
the days longer. and they drew near to
the coast OF Jamaica. stir of excite
ment was shown.