The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-08-12

AluSC llollI thS Ola i'ouiidCt. Ilc
gun thundercd over the water but
the effect was different from what
he had expected.
1t was my trick at the helm, and
l was astonishcd to sec the captain
fail down beside me, while his tcle-
scope struck my leg violently, and
something whizzcd overhead ! The
savage warrior in the canoe astcrn
let 20 Of the tow-linc the instant he
heard the report of the cannon, and
Selling his bow and arrow, lc, fly at
the captain, who fortunately dodgcd
barbcd arrow which was aimed at
his heart.
The canoes put off in great mum
bcrs and the natives were so well
armed and seemed so hostile, that We
deemed it safest to rctracc our
course and stand out to sea.
The wind fell away, but VIC crcpt
slowly towards the mouth Of the bay
and again approached the war canoe
commanded by the savage brave.
He now showed signs Of friendship
by holding up two acocoanuts but
the instant he came within siTe4. Of
the captain, who stood upon the quar-
ter, he dropped his nuts and seized
his arrow and bow, and, with a
frightful scowl Of defiance, was about
to twang it, when the captain level
led his rifle and shot him down. The
trcacherous warrior, ,uttcriny a shrilk,
fell back over the g'nwalc Of the
canoe, and, rolling overheard, sunk
with the bow and arrow in his grasp.
The natives who manned the canoe
did not appear to take part with their
chicltan, and they now all lcapcd
overheard and held their heads above
water. under the lee Of their boats.
We offered them no injury. ami,
soon dropping astcrn, they again
jumped into the canoe and padded
Tor the foot of the bay.
An immense feet of war canoes.
manned : hundreds o:'brawny warri.
osS now came pouring out Of the river,
and started in full pursuit OF cur de-
vorcd craft, Ike mighty billow.
While from every direction advanced
smaller fleets, all concentrating ahead
and OF the beams, to act in concert
with the kings iiotilla.
The wind was quite light, and it
was impossible for MS to escape. The
caita!n very justly remarked, that
: = rctrcating enemy cmbo!dcls the
pursucrS.' We accordingly turned
about, and stored for the foot oG
the bay.
The kings ilo,illa bore down upon
us, the Warriors chanting the war
song in tremendous chorus, Which
was taken up and rolled over the
bay, by thousands Of voices. accom-,
panied by the sound OF ,u.n,,ums.
war conchs, and the soul stirring.
quick chorus, Of tie flat side Of tic
paddle blades struck Violently against
the side Of the canoes. Now and then,
between the chorus, the king and
principal braves stood upon the out
rlsgcrs Of their respective canoes,
and, with javclns in their hands, De.
ilvcrcl speeches 10 cheer their fol-
lowers to the ousct. So great Was
the din that the captain was forced
to use his speaking trumpet to be
heard.
| had heard Of the Indians war
whoop, but never before had rcaIlz d
ITS terrifying influence. As We we're
silent, and returned 10 ansHcril.-
yell, the savugcs took us to be 50
feeble and few in numbers that they
coull do as they pleased with us
Fore and main top,mcu, Stations
cried the captain. 'Arlnourcr, man
the arm.chcst !! range forty nuskcts
on the trunk and forty on the wind.
lass shot the clghtccns with the