So, on a long run, the captain had to stand watch
in turn. Captain Peters was below. Mate Sidney went forward, to the
forecastle, for something. He must have been felled and ironed. One
of the crew roused the captain, saying the mate needed him forward.
Then Captain Peters went forward, was seized and ironed. Then, howling
like fiends, in order to frighten us the more, the mutineers rushed aft."
"Yet you stood them off?"
"Yes; Steward Johnson and I both happened to be on deck, and were both
armed. The rascals didn't want any of their side killed, so they tried
to parley when they saw our weapons."
"What started the mutiny?"
"Mrs Lawton usually carries her jewels, when on board. They are worth
two hundred thousand dollars--a rich prize to desperate thieves."
"What folly to tempt men so on the broad ocean!" muttered Commander
Ennerling, under his breath.
"The jewels were kept in a safe in the cabin," continued Mr. Lawton.
"And there are the scoundrels just smashing in the cabin door," broke in
Jack Benson.
"There they go, piling below."
"They're welcome," jeered Egbert Lawton. "As it happened, my wife had
some sort of presentiment, and the jewels are in two canvas pouches
securely fastened under her clothing. She leaped overboard with them."
As the "Pollard" now ran much closer, those aboard the submarine could
hear the yells of rage that came from the yacht's cabin.
Pages:
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146