Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-08-05
A struggle in the Dark.

A Heavy gale WAS blowing from the
southwest, fnriously tossing the broad wa
ters of the Pacific, and driving the foam
in misty flakes over the crests of the roar
i.lg waves.
The moon occasionally emerging from
behind the clouds rolling in torn masses
over the SKY, would for moment light
the vast wilderness of the ocean; reveal
inc the SUBMITS of the towering seas and
laintly lighting the watery caverns be-
tween.
Oar shp-the St. Mark-roled heavi-
" as she doomed upon her way under
close 'reefed 'topsails and topmast staysail.
Fore and aft her timbers groaned like
dyingsmen, while her three tail masts.
Jerking ndsstraining, seemed on the point
of going by the board.
Crouchng behind the windlass to es-
cape a <drenching sea, thatsuddenly burst
over.the weather bnlwarks, | found my
self BY the side of Achok-a tail, supple
native, with shouldersand breast rs broad
as those of lion, and long, flexible arms,
the latter of which did me good service
on the present occasion; for had not the
owner thrown them around my body,
should certainly have been swept over
board.
"a thousand thauksp' gratefully ex-
claimed, when the danger was past. Z" You
have saved my life!"
"Yes," answered the Malay-for such
he was-' me have saved your life, but
me quick take him if you no promise to
say nothing of the man whose head me
break with cooper's hammer!"
"What!" gasped, stariog upon him
with amazement. "What do you mean
You are jesting !"
The eyes of the native flashed like those
Of o. serpent. Icould see his white teeth
cleaning in the darkness like q dotted
chalk line on a blackboard.
* Yes, me jest" he exclaimed, laugh
ing, but it struck me that the laugh was
somewhat forced" me only make fun;
so me will say no more about it.
He clutched my arm as he spoke, and
peering into my face with his black eyes,
probably read there the sudden suspicion
which his singular manner had really ex-
cited in my mind.
"Ah!" he almost shrieked, cluching
me by the throat "Promise-promise
you no say word about de murder and
me let you go. If not, | serve you de
same way, and then throw you over
board, too!"
"Achok," calmly answered, pushing
his hand from my throat, you know me
too we'll to hope to get q promise from
me my means Of threat. knew moth
ing, and now only have your words for it,
of your having killed your enemy, the
kanaka, and"
can! how you know ayho, if you not
see me do it? How you know it was the
Kanaka that me Kill ?''
Il conclude so from yourhaving fought
with him yesterday in the forecastle and
his having beat"
He never beat me-s'spose my foot
not have slippedI" interrupted .Achok,
grinding his teeth. "He strike me many
times while me down; and me swear NE
take his life Well, now so much having
been said, me may as well say all. Me
Aaue taken his life. Me struck him down
with cooper's hammer and throw his body
overheard, just before you come behind
the windlass"
81 thought heard groan as came
forward" | answered, "but supposed |
might have been mistaken. This is
horrible, Achok, perfectly horrible; and
T."
Promise Promise, you!" he inter-
rupted, impatiently. Me have saved
your life, and SO you should be willing
not to get Me hanged"
Before cou!dsreply, however, he seem
ed to have concluded to act according to
the adage that dead men tell no tales"
for he again grasped me-by the throat,
ana, raising his knife, would certainly
have plunged it into my bosom if | had
not knocked it from his grasp by aheavy
blow upon his wrist.
A desperate struggle now ensued be-
tween us, and, as he was the stronger
party, he soon contrive to- hurl me upon
my back. Putting both knees upon my
breast, he clasped my throat with his
skinny hands, and | believed my doom
was sealed. The horrible pains of suffo-
cation were beginning to reach my throat
and brain, when sudden roll of the ship
caused my tormentor to fall upon his side.
With powerful exertion | contriyed to
loosen myself from his clasp, and | then
sprang to my feet.
Quick as lighting his arms were now
thrown around me from behind, and, in
spite of all resistance on my part, was
borne to the lee bulwarks. With his
wonderful strength he lifted me as
might have lifted a,child, and to my hor-
ror found myself suspended over the
boiling, foaming cauldron of water that
ragged alongside of the careening ship. |
shouted for help, but.my shipmates, un.
fortunately, were in the after part.of the
vessel, and could not hear my voice above
the din. of the storm.
snow, then,' - yelled the native, "away
you go-cursed white mani dead
men tell no talesf ="
He let me go as he spoke, but clutch
at rope that hung over the bulwarks,
and Notwithstanding his efforts to shake
me from it, clung to it with q tenancity
natural under the circumstances.
The Malay fairly screamed with rage,
and suddenly | saw clasp,knife CLEAN.
ing in his hand. He raised it above the
rope. and my heayt sank within me. [,