The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-12-10

I fast. He saw to it that the meat was
no longer a hateful, repulsive mass,
two-thirds bone and gristle, and before
it came into the cooks hands capable
If being polished like mahogany. he
threatened the cook with punishment
| If he found the meals il-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
not granted, then one Of two things
should happen-the ship must make
for South American port, or she must
fight. Fighting would not frighten
these men.
It was rather among the midship-
men that Dyck looked for trouble.
Sometimes, with only two years train
ing at Gosport, a youngster became
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 a pestilential stencil;
where the purser's storeroOm 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
| friend of Greenock the master, a 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
rogue" or "taut one"-seldOm
smiling, gaunt Of face but fearless of
eye, and with body free from fatigue.
| AS the weather grew warmer and
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, l suppose" said Dyck
one morning, as he drank his coffee
and watched the sun creeping up the
sky. "Well, ID three days we shall
know what's to become of US, and
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 man.
of-war!"
"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 fred 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 a thumb
fnail--a permanent physical trait. "You
see, the government has pardoned all
the sailors, and will hang only the
leaders. 1 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 1t
over well found, well manned, well Of
ficered, on condition that all 60 free
except myself. came aboard COM
mon sailor, quota man, prison
bird, penniless. Well, have / shown
that can run ship? Have learned
the game Of control? During the
weeks we've been at sea. bursting
along, have proved myselfr
Michael smiled.
"What did say to you the first
night on board, sir? Didn't / 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
!. your iron hand has held the thing to