The Placer herald., 1855-11-03
For the Placer Herald.
A SALT WATER BUBBLE.
BY DICK BELAY-THAT.

III was at the close of the day in the wear
1912, that the barque Olof Wys was becam-
ed in the Straits of Java. We had been
trying our best to get through but light
winds and cams were not much in our favor,
and as the sun went down, so did our stream
anchor with thirty fathom of chain. There
was five islands in sight, and the land as ii
lay at sunset looked beautiful to our weaiied
eyes, having had long passage from New
\ ork. The anchor-watch was set and the
word was set to look sharp at the land. The
night waned on, and nothing disturbed us
but the rouse of the watch, and each came
round until it was my turn to watch, from
- o'clock until one When | went upon
deck the moon was just going down, (and a
sailor would as soon see the ID, as to see
the moon set in squallv latitudes.) The
moon bore about Il point from a large Island,
and as was looking at it | thought | saw a
dark object. Somebody coming, thought /,
and not alone either. One! two. three-
nine... Proas. Whew. now we are in for
it. They all separated, and all but one was
lost in the darkness, and that one was pulling
directly for us.
Having been in these latitudes before
was satisfied it was time to call the "Shock-
ing Dick Down | goes: "Mr Brown"
Halo, what's up" Sir, there was nine
proas pulled out from land and for u.s.
'Who is that!' 1T is Dick, SIR "Well,
Dick, you had better wash your eyes at the
deck tub and see clearer"
| left for the deck, but not for the wash
tub. All was still, and l paced the deck
| few moments and then thought of calling
he
thorough sailor, and we were ship-mates
to China the voyage before | knew that if
| called him there would be the devil to pay
between the Captain and second-mate, so |
tried the mate. Halo, there has nine proas
pulled out from under the land, sir
"Proas. what are thev!' You'll find out
they are full of Maays." "Oh, 90 away,
you have not your eyes open yet"
"Who is that in the cabin sang out the
Captain.
"Dck, sir, there are proas pulling out for
us from the land"
Can you see them, Dick"
'Not now, sir, but could as the moon
went down.
"Rouse the mates, call all hands lightly,
now don't make much noise"
All hands were called, the ''barllers' filled
to the muzzle with canister. Our sails hung
from the yards and all the men were sta
toned"
"Dick, come here travelled aft. 'Stand
here, and scan the waters edge, can you see
anything!"
cast my eye around the horizon. "No-
thing but that squail, sir
''Just in time, my boy, now for it."
The men were ordered to have everything
clear for running. The squall was coming
up "hand over hand"
"a proa on larboard beam," one on star
board bow" Sang out one and another of
the lookouts.
''Sheet home top-sails, run him up my
lads" Twenty men to two top-sails does
things quick when there is chance Of escape
from 600 Malays.)
The squall struck us on the quarter, the
man at the wheel was knocked out for it,
and the old barque was drawing through the
water at the rate of five or six knots.
Dick, where are the proas?"
"Here'is one of them, right ahead"
Look sharp, and keep her for him."
board bow; the starboard barker" was all
ready, and the barque was now going nine
knots, as the breeze had freshened and our
light muslin was on her.
STEADY, sir."
STEADY, it Is"
Stand by there forward, with pixies and
hand spikes, knock all on the heads that
show themselves above the rail. Train your
gun well, make sure Of your starboard proa,
Mr. Brown, and when you are abreast Of him
fire.
"Aye, aye, sir"
Forward there don't touch the rascals
with your hands or you'll rue it"
On we went, the wind bowling through
the rigging Steady, and stand by, sir"
"Steady it is"
And we struck her, for moment all quiv-
cred, and the proa parted amidships. Our
bow and head gear was covered with dark |
forms, short were their lives, they boarded
and were slain with pike or gun, not one
escaped.
The starbOard proa was stove, and by the |
noise on board of her, there were no doubt
some killed.
Forward there, is any one hurt, come
aft if you can"
One man started, walked few PAGES and
fell | ran to him, he was wounded in the
hand. Poor Bill, you deserved better
fate. The Captain came to him but it was
too late, 1t seems Bill saw young Malay
on the back ropes, banking by one hand,
after all the fighting was over, and he reach
ed for him. The boy watched him, and as
soon as Bills hand came near he drew his
"c,eese"* across it, let go his hold and sunk.
Poor Bill lived but fifteen minutes
| have been through the Java sea many
time since, but have never witnessed such an
exciting scene. In twenty days we were in
Batavia, and we lay there some time. We had
heen in mort fourtaan davS vban wa boor1