The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-02-06

cdpIuIeu US VIC were elupiJ ueau HSh
so. of course there was some ground TO
resistance First, I made myself a
calm as I could Then 1 got fhe pis
tolls aud had them all loaded, and CAV,
two to each man, reserying two extr'
ones to myself The six cutlasses
gave to those I thought best qualified tc
handle them, and then [ distributed the
twelve pixies. Beyond these I found
four boat hooks, and these 1 also gave
out, for they would be serviceable in re-
pelling boarders after the pistols had
been all fired.
Now boys" said I, you all know
what that fellow is after, and if I had
thought of this lull in the wind, |
shouldn't have run in here. But that
can't be helped now. We can't run
away, and we all know if those Malays
take US they'll cut our throats every one.
1 fancy you would rather fight to the
death than die 80. VIII you. stand to
it ?"
Of course they said "yes;" but then
they didn't speak like men who had any
hope, and surely didn't blame thenr
for our enemy was more than double US
almost treble. Yet I saw that my
brave fellows meant to fight to the last.
: neoaswas now about mile dis
tan would be alongside in ten min
utes-dnless we caught a smart breeze.
I looked about but saw no signs of any
such breeze save single bank of vapor
10 the northward. 1 called after Ned
to run to the cabin and get my slippers,
for the boots had on were stiff and
But Ned was not to be found.
. Never mind" 1 said to myself as I
-an down, "he amt to blame. Poor
BOY, he couldn't do much unless it was
% shoot pistol, and perhaps blow his
,wn fingers off," I couldn't find it in
ny heart to haul him from his hiding
place, for he had been faithful fellow
o me, and if he could escape 1 hoped he
vould. L put on my slippers and then
'eturned to the deck The Malay was
low within half mile and we could
lee their knives plainly. There were
ust serenty-four of them, there being
wenty seats in the boat and all except
nc OF two at the bows and stern having
our on a seat.
"We shall never be able to beat them
fl, SIR" whispered Walker, in my ear.
" We are able to try, at all events )"
answered.
"But look at their FORCE" he said
launching.
"Then you mean to die like"
I had spoken so far when he caught
ny arm, for was beginning to speak
ouder and the men might hear NE.
" Hush," he hissed. don't, L pray
ou, say any more. Of course 1 will
ght."
He grasped his cutlass as he spoke,
nd I could see that his eye changed,
nd there was now some fire in it. By
his time we could see the faces Of the
ialays plainly, and in ell my wander
ngs don't think ever saw such an
ther set of diabolical, ugly, bloody
ooking villains In two minutes more
saw those who worked the paddles
AXE their knives in their teeth. 1 had
be men stand by with their pistols, and |
ordered them to fire one volley before |
be boat got fairly alongsides
At this moment, just as the pirate was
,ithin cables length I felt cool |
uff upon my check. turned and saw
hat the wind had whipped out from the
orthward. Quick as lightning, 1 or
cred the yards squared, and by some
leans the men obeyed me promptly |
ut while this was being done, tie Ma
lys were coming on. The pirates saw
hat our sails had caught the breeze,
nd with few quick, strong strokes, |
hey sent their craft alongside like q
ocket.
" Fire p' 1 shouted. And my men
id fire, but their hands must have trem-
led when they did so, for not over half
dozen of the enemy fell. called the
nen to shove their pixies over, but tell
ou those few pixies looked kind of dis
nal in the face of seventy stout, blood
hirsty Malay pirates. 1 took one look
nto that proa, and my heart sank for 1
new they would make but short work
f US. We might kill score of them
nd even then they would be up with us.
" What do you want?" 1 shouted
nth all my might.
" You mooney-you blood-you sheep
-you'ng dam crapoo Shawn Bool!"
The fellow evidently thought US John
Bulls, and what his crapoo meant l
ouldn't tell, unless he had got the
french and English mixed up. Howcv-
T hadn't time to think of that. In
mother moment the boat would be along |
ide. Already the pirates were on their
eet, their long knives in their mouths,
nd in a moment more they would leap.
rhe bows of the boat touched our side
nst under the mizzen chains, and her
tern was sweeping swiftly in as she
hot ahead. At that moment some
hing brushed past me towards the
tern. aud 1 smelt the strong, rank
umea Of turnantinc. Before had time