CHAPTER VI
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP
The day to follow was Sunday, and contrary to expectations, it passedquietly. As there was hardly any wind, the old _Columbia_ made slowprogress, and the sailors had little or nothing to do. As was his usualhabit, Larry read his Bible, and Captain Ponsberry held a short churchservice, which less than half the crew attended.
"It's plain to see that the men are sulky," said Tom Grandon, towardsevening. "We are certain to hear something from them shortly."
Luke had been told to report anything unusual, but it was not untilafter dark that he sought out Captain Ponsberry.
"I ain't got much to say," said the old tar. "But to my mind Peterson,Groot, and Shamhaven are doin' a powerful lot of confabbin'. More'nthat, I saw Peterson cleaning up a pistol he's got."
"Are any of the other hands armed?"
"I ain't seen no other shootin'-irons," answered Luke.
The captain had expected to interview Semmel once more, but found thefellow so surly he gave up the attempt. As the brig was so hot anduncomfortable, the master of the schooner had the door fixed so it couldbe left open several inches, with a chain at the bolt to keep it fromgoing further.
At four o'clock Monday morning Peterson came on duty, followed byShamhaven and some others. All made their way to the bow and began totalk in a low but earnest fashion. Then Peterson went below, to whereSemmel was still confined in the brig.
"We are ready to move now," said he, in Russian. "What do you think?"
"Let me out and I will show you what I think," growled Ostag Semmel."The captain is a dog--and Grandon and Russell are dogs, too!"
Peterson was prepared to unlock the chain which held the brig door anddid so. Then he handed a pistol to the Russian.
"The captain and Russell are in their staterooms," said Peterson. "OnlyGrandon is on deck, with Vincent and with the men we can trust to helpus."
"We can't trust Vincent."
"I know that."
"Where is Striker?"
"Asleep in his berth."
But on this score Carl Peterson was mistaken. Luke had pretended to goto sleep, but he was now in a corner on deck, watching with keen eyesall that was occurring. Presently he saw Semmel in company with Petersonhurry towards the bow, and he felt that the time for action had arrived.
"Hi, Mr. Grandon!" he called out, running up to the first mate.
"What is it, Striker?"
"They've released Semmel and they are arming themselves."
"You don't say!" Tom Grandon was stunned for the instant. "Tell thecaptain and Russell of this at once!"
"Aye, aye, sir!"
Rushing down the companionway, Luke entered the cabin and knocked on thedoor of Captain Ponsberry's stateroom.
"Wake up, captain!" he called, loudly. "Wake up! There is going to betrouble putty quick, to my way o' thinkin'!"
"What has gone wrong now?" demanded the master of the _Columbia_, as hehurried into his clothes and armed himself. "Where is Grandon?"
"On deck; he sent me to tell you. They have set Semmel free and some of'em are arming themselves."
"A mutiny!" roared Captain Ponsberry. "Striker, you'll stand by me, ofcourse?"
"That I will, sir--to the end."
"Good. I know Vincent will do the same. Do you know anything about theothers?"
"I think you can count on Jeff the cook."
"What of Wilbur?"
"He's so weak-kneed I don't know what he'll do," answered Striker.
By this time Larry was out of his stateroom. With his door ajar he hadheard all that had been said.
"Oh, Luke, do you think they'll try to seize the ship?" he gasped.
"Don't know what they'll do. They're a plumb crazy lot," growled the oldtar. "It was a mistake to take such fellers as Semmel and Peterson andShamhaven aboard."
"That is true, but when Devine and Larson got sick and went to thehospital at Manila I had to get somebody," answered Captain Ponsberry.He brought out several pistols. "Here, Larry, take one of these, and acutlass, too, and you, Striker, can arm yourself likewise."
There was no time to answer, for the master of the schooner was alreadystriding through the cabin in the direction of the companionway. Aninstant later came a yell from the deck, followed by heavy footsteps andthen the report of a pistol.
"Drive dem to de cabin!" came in the voice of Semmel. "Drive dem along,kvick!" And then followed another yell and the sounds of half a dozenblows.
"Below there!" came in Tom Grandon's voice. "Help! help!"
"I'm coming!" called up Captain Ponsberry.
"Don't you dare to step on deck, captain!" yelled down the voice ofShamhaven. "Don't you dare to do it!" And the sailor appeared, pistol inhand, at the top of the companionway.
"Shamhaven, what does this mean?" demanded the master of the _Columbia_.
"It means that we have taken possession of the ship, that's what itmeans," came from Groot.
"Of you come up here, you maybe git killed," put in Ostag Semmel. "Youstay down dare, you hear?" And then, as the captain started to mount thestairs, he threw down a belaying pin. In the semi-darkness the captaindid not see the object, and it struck him on the top of the head,rendering him partly unconscious.
Larry and Luke were close behind their leader and both were alarmed tosee him go down, uttering a deep groan as he did so.
"Is he killed?" questioned the young second mate.
"I don't know," was the old tar's response. "Shall we go up?"
"Keep back there!" was the call from above. "Put a step on those stairsand it will be the worse for you!"
At that moment came a cry from Cal Vincent. The boatswain had beenattacked from behind and was given no chance to defend himself. Thencame a roar from Jeff, who came rushing toward the companionway as ifall the demons of the deep were behind him.
"Sabe me! sabe me!" he screamed. "Da is gwine to pirate de ship! Sabeme!" And then he came plunging down headlong, directly on top of Larry,Luke, and the prostrate captain.
This unexpected coming of Jeff sent the young second mate and the oldtar flat on Captain Ponsberry, and for the moment there was a struggleall around. In the meantime some sailors on the deck began to drag aheavy hatch toward the stairs. Soon this was placed in position, andthen those below were virtually prisoners.
"Oh my, sabe me!" groaned Jeff once more, as he managed to get on hisfeet in the cabin, followed by Larry and Luke. "Don't you let dem swingme from de yardarm!"
"Jeff, where are Grandon and Vincent?" demanded Larry.
"I dunno, sah--dead, I guess," answered the cook. "Oh, dis am deawfulest t'ing wot I eber heard tell ob!" he added, woefully, and wrunghis hands.
The lantern in the cabin was turned up and Larry gave his attention oncemore to Captain Ponsberry, who was now opening his eyes.
"Oh, my head!" came with a shiver. "My head!"
"I'm glad they didn't kill you," said Larry, kindly. "Luke, help mecarry him into the cabin. We'll put him on the couch."
This was done, and they did what they could to make the master of theschooner comfortable. But it was a good half-hour before CaptainPonsberry could sit up and do any rational thinking.
On deck all had become suddenly quiet. Occasionally those below couldhear a footstep near the companionway, showing that one or more of themutineers were on guard. The hatch shut off the view on deck, and thewindows in the ceiling of the cabin were also boarded over from theoutside.
"They have us like rats in a trap," said Larry, bitterly.
"And for all we know Vincent and Grandon are both dead," returned LukeStriker, soberly. "I must say, lad, we seem to be in a bad way and nomistake."
"Dey'll throw us overboard, I know dey will!" groaned Jeff, who wasalmost white with terror. "I neber see sech goin's-on in all ma life!"
To fight the mutineers further was, just then, out of the question, andLarry turned his attention again to Captain Ponsberry. At last thecaptain seemed fully to comprehend what ha
d occurred. He once more movedtoward the companionway, pistol in hand.
"You can't get out that way, sir," said Larry. "They have placed thefore hatch over the stairs."
"And they are armed, too," put in Luke. "Be careful, sir, or they'llshoot you down."
"And this on my own ship!" came bitterly from the master of the_Columbia_. "That is what I get for treating the dogs better than theydeserve. Where are Grandon and Vincent?"
"Either shot down or taken prisoners. They called for help, and that wasthe last we heard of them."
"And are all the others in this dastardly plot?"
"I reckon they are," answered Luke. "Them foreigners, Semmel an'Peterson, must have stirred 'em up powerfully."
Still weak from the blow received, Captain Ponsberry sank down once moreon the cabin couch. There was a lump as big as a walnut on the top ofhis head, and he had Jeff bathe it with water and then with witch-hazel,which made it a trifle more comfortable.
A short while later came a sudden wild song from the deck of theschooner, followed by a clinking of glasses.
"They are treating themselves to grog," said Luke. "I suppose, now theyhave the run of things, they'll drink all they want of the stuff."
"More than likely," returned the captain. "Well, it is their turn justnow--perhaps before long it will be my turn!" And he smiledsignificantly.
At the Fall of Port Arthur; Or, A Young American in the Japanese Navy Page 7