The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-09-15
CHAPTER XII.

To the West Indies.


A fortnight later the mutiny at the
More shook and bewildered the British
isles.
The day after Richard Parker WIS.,
tied the Ariadne the fleet had been put
under the control of the seamen's Del
egates, who were men of standing In
the ships, and of personal popularity.
Their first act was to declare that the
fleet should not leave port until the
mems demands were satisfied.
The government had armed the forts
at Sheerness had sent troops and guns
TO Gravesend and Tilbury. and had de-
clared war upon the rebellious fleet.
At the head of the Delegates, Rich
ard Parker, with an officers knowl-
edge, became kind of bogus admiral,
who, in interviews with the real adj
mirals and the representatives Of the
admiralty board, talked like one who,
having power, meant to use 1t ruth
lessly. The government had yielded to
the Spithead mutineers, giving pardon
10 all except the ringleaders, and
granting demands for increased wages
and better food, with promise to con-
slider the question of prize-mOney but
the More mutineers refused to accept
that agreement, and enlarged the
Spithead demands.
The Delegates demanded deputa-
ton from the admiralty, Parker de-
claring that no accommodation could
occur without the appearance of the
lords Of the admiralty at the More.
Then followed threatening arrange
ments, and the Delegates decided to
blockade the Thames and the Med
way.
1t was at this time that Dyck Cal
houn-who, by consent of Richard
Parker, had taken control Of the
Ariadne-took action which was to al
ter the course Of his own life and that
of many others.
Since the beginning Of the mutiny
he had acted with decision, judgment
and strength. He had agreed to the
Ariadne joining the mutinous ships,
and he had skillfully constructed petit
lions to the admiralty, the house OF
commons and the king. His habit Of
thought, his knowledge Of life, made
him a power. He believed that the
main demands of the seamen were
Just, and he made a useful organiza-
ton to enforce them. 1t was only
when he saw the mutineers would not
accept the terms granted to the Spit
head rebels that q new spirit influ-
enced him.
He had determined to get control Of
the Ariadne. His gift as a speaker
had conquered his fellow-sailors, and
the fact that he was an ex-convict
gave them confidence that he was no
friend of the government.
One Of the flrst things he did, after
securing his own pre-eminence on the
ship, was to get the captain and OFF,
GERS safely ashore. This he did with
skill, and the crew Of the ship even
cheered them as they left.
None of the regular officers Of the
Ariadne were left upon her, except
Greenock, the master of the ship,
whose rank was below that of lieuten-
ant, and whose duties were many and
varied under the order Of the captain.
Greenock chose to stay, though Dyck
said he could go IL he wished. Green
osk's reply was that 1t was his duty to
stay. II the ship was going to remain
at sea, for no one else could perform
his duties or do his work.
Then. by vote, Dyck became captain
of the ship. He would not have &C
cepted the doubtful honor had he not
had long purposes In view. With
Ferens, Michael Clones. and two
others whom Ferens could trust,
plan was arranged which Dyck ex-
planned to his fellow-seamen on the
Artadne.