The Wide World Magazine, Vol. 22, No. 131, February, 1909Various
History
The Wide World Magazine, Vol. 22, No. 131, February, 1909
Various
Adventure stories -- Periodicals; English periodicals; History, Modern -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Voyages and travels -- Periodicals
The captain and mate were astounded, and for a moment could do nothing
but stare at her. Then, seeing some of the men forward looking at them,
Captain Monk said: “Come aft to the saloon and I will hear your story.”
When they got into the cabin Mrs. Hogan told how the authorities at
Sydney had heard something of the doings of Sullivan and his crimps,
and had sent her husband to the district to get evidence against him.
She had assisted him before, and on this occasion had dressed up in
her present clothes and joined the sailors in the dance room to watch
Sullivan and his satellites.
“I called for a bottle of ginger-ale,” she said. “I watched him open
the bottle, and I am sure there was nothing in the glass, for I saw
it standing upside down on the counter; but I had not drunk it many
minutes before I felt my head getting light, and I remember no more
until I found myself on board this ship. I have abundant evidence
against that blackguard Sullivan now, but it is no good as he is on
board here. What shall I do? I have no clothes but these. I cannot go
among those men.”
“Steamer ahead, sir! Coming this way,” rang out the cry.
“Aye, aye!”
Captain Monk took a look at her through the telescope.
“Run the ‘Urgent’ signal up!” he shouted. “It is the Union Company’s
boat bound to Melbourne. I will send a letter and this woman on board.
Back the mainyard, and get the boat out quick.”
Up went the signal, and the steamer bore down towards the ship. Her
decks were crowded with passengers.
“You will go in the boat, Mrs. Hogan,” said the skipper, “and you had
better explain things to the captain at once. My letter will tell him
also. Mr. Patter, you go with the boat, and take four of our own hands
with you. As soon as you give the letter to the captain, put this woman
on board and return at once.”
“Aye, aye, sir. Ship your oars! Let go forward!”
The boat shot away and was soon alongside the steamer, and the mate and
Mrs. Hogan climbed on board. Going along the bridge, Mr. Patter handed
the letter to the captain, who read it and said:--
“All right. Tell Captain Monk that I will take the woman to Melbourne.
I am glad he has that blackguard on board. Good-bye.”
The mate got back into his boat, the engines were rung ahead, the
ensign was dipped three times, and before the boat was on board again
the steamer was out of sight.
Then the sails were filled once more and the _Jeremiah Crawford_ stood
on her course.
Five days afterwards Sullivan and his mates were released and sent to
live in the forecastle. Sullivan was put into the mate’s watch and the
two crimps in the second mate’s watch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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