The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-12-29
CONTINUED from Last Week.
CHAPTER XII.
The Admiral Has His Say.

at Dyck Calhoun, a steely hardness
came into it. and gave a cynical twist
TO the lips. He was short man, and
spare, but his bearing had dignity and
every motion significance.
He had had his high moment with
the French admiral, had given his COM
mands to the feet and had arranged
the disposition of the captured French
ships. He was In good spirits, aud the
wreckage In the fleet seemed not to
shake his nerve. for he had lost in men
far less than the enemy, and had cap
tured many ships-a good days work,
due finally to the man in sailors
clothes standing there with Captain
Ivy. The admiral took in the dress of
Calhoun at glance--the trousers of
blue cloth, the sheath-knife belt. the
stockings of white silk, the loose. UNI
starched collar, the fine black silk
handkerchief ut the throat the waist
coat of red kerseymere, the shoes like
dancing pumps, and the short, round
blue jacket. with the flat gold buttons
IA seaman complete. He smiled broad.
ly; he liked this mutineer and ex-con-
Wet.
captain Calhoun, eh :" lie remarked
mockingly. well, you've played II
strong game, and you've plunged us
into great difficulty"
Dyck did not lose his opportunity.
"Happily I've done what planned TO
do uhat, ,,+n loft tho Tbo,nnS oJ,niroI >,
he said. I'VE came to get the chance
Of doing what. by favor of fate. we
have accomplished. Now. sir as I'm
under arrest. and the ship which |
controlled has done good service. may
| beg that the Ariadne's personnel shall
have amnesty. and that | alone he
made TO pay--lf that must be--for the
mutiny at the NoreY'
The admiral nodded. I'VE know of
your breaking away from the mutinouS
feet, and of their firing on you rs you
passed, and that Is In your favor.
can also suy this: That bringing the
ship here was mastery work. for
understand there Were ne officers on
the Ariadne. She always had the rcpu-
tation OF being one of the best-trained
ships in the navy, and she has SPLEEN
dldly upheld that reputation. How did
you manage it, Mr.. Calhoun"
Dyck briefly told how the lieu
tenants were made, and how he him
self had been enormously indebted to
Greenock, the master Of the ship.
The admiral smiled sourly II have
little power until get Instructions
from the admiralty. and that will take
some time Meanwhile, the Ariadne
shall GO M ms she is and rs If she
were-and had been from the hrst-a
member of my own squadron"
Dyck bowed. explained what re-
forms he had created in the food and
provisions Of the Ariadnp. and cx.
pressed "A hope that nothing should he
altered. He declared the ship hud
proved herself, chiefly because of his
reforms.
"Bcsidcs. she's been badly ham
merpd. She's got great numbers Of
wounded and dcnd. and for many u
day the men will he busy with repairs"
"'or man without naval expert
cnce. for n mutinper, an eX-CunVict and
\ usurper, you've done quite well. Mr.
Calhoun hut my instructions were. II
you fell into my hands, to try you and
hang YOU"
Al this point Captain Ivy INTERVIEWED.
"Sir." he said. The Instructions YOU
received were general. They could not
anticipate the special service which
the Ariadne has rendered to the kings
fleet. have known Mr.. Calhoun: /
have visited at his fathers house:
was with him OH his journey to Dun,
lin, which WAS the beginning at his bad
lurk. | would beg of you, sir, to give
Mr.. Calhoun his parole on sea and band
until word comes from the admiralty
MS to what in The circumstances, his
fate shall be-"
TO be kept on the Beatitude ON pa
role " exclaimed the admiral
Lend or sea, Captain Ivy said. I'm
MS well born as any man In llIe kings
fleet" declared Dyck. "1've rs clean
u record rs any officer in his majesty's
navy, save for the dark fact HAT
was put in prison for killing man
and | will say here, In the secrecy Of
an admirafs cabin. that the man |
killed-or was supposed 70 kill-Was II
traitor. If | did kill him, he deserved
death by whatever hand 1t came. |
cure not what you do with ne'-his
hands clenched, his shoulders drew up,
his eyes blackeped with the dark fire
of his soul-+whether you PM me on
parole, or try me by court-martial or
hang me from the yard-arm. I've done
q piece of work Of which I'm not
ashamed. I've brought Il mutinous ship
out of mutiny, sailed her down the
seas for many weeks, disciplined her,
drilled her, trained her. fought her;
helped to give the admiral of the West
Indian squadron his victory. II I'm
put ashore at Jamaica, I'll keep my
parole; If | stay a prisoner here, I'll
keep my parole. II I've done you serv-
ice. admiral, be sure of this. il was
done with clear intent. My object was
to save the men who, having uutinie1