his own story he did not think
they would attempt to put their designs in execution, until he saw
them actually descending into the cabin, having gone so far, to use
his own expression, to show himself as brave as any of them. But we
believe he had not the smallest idea of assisting the villains.
Comstock entered the cabin so silently as not to be perceived by the
man at the helm, who was first apprised of his having begun the work
of death, by the sound of a heavy blow with an axe, which he
distinctly heard.

The Captain was asleep in a hammock, suspended in the cabin, his state
room being uncomfortably warm; Comstock approaching him with the axe,
struck him a blow upon the head, which was nearly severed in two by
the first stroke! After repeating the blow, he ran to Payne, who it
seems was stationed with the before mentioned boarding knife, to
attack the mate, as soon as the Captain was killed. At this instant,
Payne making a thrust at the mate, he awoke, and terrified, exclaimed,
"what! what! what!" "Is this----Oh! Payne! Oh! Comstock!" "Don't kill
me, don't;" "have I not always----" Here Comstock interrupted him,
saying, "Yes! you have always been a d--d rascal; you tell lies of me
out of the ship will you? It's a d--d good time to beg now, but you're
too late," here the mate sprang, and grasped him by the throat. In the
scuffle, the light which Comstock held in his hand was knocked out,
and the axe fell from his hand; but the grasp of Mr. Beetle upon his
throat, did not prevent him from making Payne understand that his
weapon was lost, who felt about until he found it, and having given it
to Comstock, he managed to strike him a blow upon the head, which
fractured his skull; when he fell into the pantry where he lay
groaning until despatched by Comstock! The steward held a light at
this time, while Oliver put in a blow as often as possible!

The second and third mates, fastened in their state rooms, lay in
their births listening, fearing to speak, and being ignorant of the
numerical strength of the mutineers, and unarmed, thought it best to
wait the dreadful issue, hoping that their lives might yet be spared.

Comstock leaving a watch at the second mate's door, went upon deck to
light another lamp at the binnacle, it having been again accidentally
extinguished. He was there asked by his terrified brother, whose agony
of mind we will not attempt to portray, if he intended to hurt Smith,
the other boat-steerer. He