Part 8 (2/2)
The vessel was then under reefed topsails only and prepared for the uncertain squalls that were driving all around. At daylight Paul ordered hands aloft to shake out the reefs and set top gallants. As the top sail was raised he noticed dark blotches all across it and hailing the man aloft he asked him what caused them.
”Blood, sir,” answered the sailor.
Paul well understood the meaning of it and knew it to be the work of the second mate, who had beaten the men over the head with a belaying pin while they were reefing. Shortly after the captain came on deck, Paul called his attention to the blood-stained sail and said: ”This work has got to be stopped.”
The captain shrugged his shoulders. ”What can we do?”
”That's for you to say,” answered Paul. ”You're in command here.”
”Well, I'll have to talk with Stanley when he turns out.”
At seven bells the order: ”Pump s.h.i.+p, call the watch,” was given. The watch was called but failed to respond. The sailor sent to call it again reported that port watch did not intend to turn out. It was now eight bells and time for Paul's watch to go below. The captain came on deck followed by the second mate, with whom he had been remonstrating. Paul reported that the watch had been called out but refused to come. The second mate with a terrible oath started forward saying:
”I'll have the dogs on deck mighty soon.”
He reached the forecastle door and flung it back. The same moment both Paul and the captain saw him stagger and fall to deck. He bellowed l.u.s.tily for help. The captain and Paul rushed to his a.s.sistance and found him bleeding profusely from knife wounds in the breast and abdomen, while the port watch with drawn knives stood sullen and determined looking in the forecastle. This sight staggered the captain who exclaimed:
”Mutiny by the eternal!” and called loudly for the steward to bring him his revolver.
Paul ordered some of his watch to carry the mate, who was groaning, aft, then advancing to the forecastle door said:
”Boys, this is not right. This must not be. Put up those knives. If you have any grievances come out like men and give them to the captain.”
”Oh, we have nothing to say against you or the captain,” responded the leader, ”but we have determined to die before we turn to under that man again.”
Paul requested the men to keep calm and cool and he would speak to the captain who, during this interval, had slipped back to the cabin to arm himself. Paul advised the captain, as he met him coming out of the cabin with a revolver in each hand, not to go to the men in that shape.
”I am sure those men are determined. Their bloodshot eyes and frenzied manner convince me that they have not slept a wink during the watch below and have deliberately planned this outbreak and mean mischief. I cannot guarantee that my watch will not join them as they are all heartily sick of the second mate's inhumanity.”
The captain thought it over for a few minutes and said, ”You go forward and find out what they want.”
When Paul returned to the forecastle he informed the men that the captain was anxious to hear their complaint and see that they were righted, and advised them to walk aft in a body and speak for themselves, a.s.suring them at the same time that they would receive justice. After some hesitation they agreed to go aft. Paul preceded and told the captain that they were coming and he could hear their complaints for himself. At first the captain seemed inclined to bully the men and a.s.sert his authority; but the determined look caused him to change his mind, and he was very diplomatic in his treatment of them.
”Boys,” he said, ”I have sailed the seas for many a year and always like to treat my men well. One thing I object to and that is murdering mates. Now you are all in open mutiny and I am authorized by law to shoot you.”
Here the men laughed derisively.
”Now,” he continued, ”I am against bloodshed and I want to know just what you men want and what I can do for you.”
They looked at each other and to the one whom they regarded as leader.
He was a st.u.r.dy, powerful Scotchman who stepped forward and said:
”If you were against bloodshed, why didn't you come out last night when the second mate tried to kill some of us. We are willing to turn to again; but not under that hound. We meant to kill him, he deserved it and if he is not dead it is not our fault. We are well aware that there is no law for a sailor before the mast, so at times the sailor has to take the law in his own hands. Now me and my mates are willing to work s.h.i.+p under you and the first mate but you must keep that brute out of sight providing he recovers.”
The captain made another speech to the sailors in which he promised them that they would not again be molested by the second mate. He also stated that Paul could take the port watch and he would take the starboard watch. The men appeared well satisfied with this arrangement and turned to with a will. The captain and Paul walked up and down the quarter deck talking over the situation. The determined att.i.tude of the men seemed to have caused a change in the captain's opinion, so much so that he gave Paul a long lecture on the duty of superior officers to treat their men kindly.
An examination of the second mate proved that he had been cut in five different places. All the simple remedies in the sea-chest were applied to relieve him from his sufferings. Neither the captain nor Paul had sufficient medical knowledge to know whether he was seriously wounded or not. They ad the steward wash the cuts which they covered liberally with plasters to stop the bleeding. The captain then insisted on giving the wounded man a tumblerful of strong whisky, saying ”that it was the best thing in the world to kill a fever.” They came to the conclusion that there was no danger of the mate pa.s.sing away quickly owing to the savage kick he made while laying in his bunk, at the head of the inoffensive steward who was doing all he could to help him. But his wounds proved so severe that he was not able to leave his bunk until the vessel reached Philadelphia. Owing to the new arrangement, everything went well. There was no more fighting, cursing, or driving and the work on board was done promptly and cheerfully.
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