Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-07-21

One of them made clumsy work of it,
dashing her PROV violently against the
ships side, and being thrown adrift on
the reboond. But while was observing
this the other, on the starboard side, had
secured firm hold, and two grinning
warriors had made good their footing on
the plank shear. A rush, with the thought
that was striking for my own life and
that Of the child single sweep Of the
keen boarding knife, and the two man
gIed barbariaDs fell back upon their COM
rades. was clear of that crew by sim
gle cut, dividing their warp OF cocoanut
cordage. I had received wound in the
tide from q spear thrown at me-a ragged
cut by q series of sharks teeth-but |
hardly felt it then.
Meanwhile the brave little girl had stood
at the helm, steering the ship - well az |
could have done 1t myself, and carefully
noting my orders, conveyed to her by .
wave Of my hand. There were still two
more canoes ahead, but led one Of them
into trap by directing Jessie to make q
broad yaw, and then suddenly bringing
the ship back to her former course Taken
by surprise, he had no time to get clear
from under our bows. The canoe was
crushed, and sunk instantly, though it was
quite impossible to drown her amphibi.
Gus navigators. Her consort kept out of
reach, and fell in abeam Of us at a safe dis
tabce, not daring to make an attack un-
supported.
felt now comparatively cafe, for al
though all the canoes astern were steadily
gaining upon us, they must approach us at
a great disadvantage, and, besides, they
had lost confidence and prestige; for, with
sayages, the first surprise is everything. l
could now take my stand aft, near my little
companion, and could use firearms withde-
liberation.
But while doing 30 with deadly effect
upon the man whom supposed TO be high
chief, as before mentioned, was startled
by cry from Jessie and turning, behed
the shocky head of stalwart savage ris-
ing into view on the other quarter. He
had poised his spear for the act of darting
at me, when, quick as thought, the little
girl, who let 60 the helm, slung billet OF
wood directly In his face. He was thrown
off his balance and fell backward, while
the spear dropped harmlsssly in on deck.
was on the spot before another man
could climb up; and the danger was over.
The breeze was freshening little, and
the two boats were now plainly in view
and fast nearing us. l directed Jessie to
keep little more off, 30 as to head d.
rectly for them; for had more sea room
now, and felt that could afford to laugh
at the whole bloodthirsty pack, who, now
in full cry, were lowering in our wake.
The warps of the two fully-manned
whale boats were skillfully thrown up to
me, and with those twelve resolute sea.
men on her deck, the Warsaw might bid
defiance to any number of piratical
canoes. The topsails we're hoisted at once,
and everything trimmed. We closed
rapidly with the other ship, and l soon
had the pleasure Of shaking by the. hand
my former shipmate, Bsylies, now in com.
mand Of the Calypso, and Of presenting
my heroic little lieutenant, Jessie.
A gang Of men were spared sufficient
to work the Warsaw, and together the two
ships bore away for Sydney. Here the
damages were repaired, crew shipped,
and the consul put me in charge of her to
take her home.
The little Scotch girl, thus left upon the
world, became q member of our family.
MY mother and Maria would have as.
scented to any arrangement, If had sug-
gested it I; but their whole hearts were en-
listed In the orphans welfare, when they
learned the whole story Of the adventures
which she had shared with me- The
small sum of money found among her
fathers effects was carefully applied
toward her clothing and education; and
bidding her tender farewell, / left her to
follow up my profession.
l made two voyages after this, and at
each return l found Jessie all that the
fondest and most careful guardian could
desire. In all respects she was equal, in
some superior, to my sister and, had they
been twins, they could not have loved
each other better.
Jessie was twenty years old at the time
| arrived home in command of the Green
witch. know not at what particular time
during that voyage / began to think 1t
was possible that she and might love
each other. l think this feeling came
upon me very gradually. Perhaps 1t may
have been something in the tone OF her
for she always wrote to me much
rs sister might write to an elder brother;
but her letters, on this voyage, were not
quite no affcctionate as ut first. There was
q little embarrassment in the manner and
style. Ye; THIS was but natural when l
reflected upon IL. But it must have been
this very change that put me in the way
Of rejecting. There was, after all, moth
ing very awkward or anomalous in our
position toward each other. She was
simply a member of our family, an adopt
ed daughter, as it we're, Of my mother.
But wishing to support herself, she had
found employment as teacher, and in
sisted upon paying her board This
had learned from the various letters re-
ceived; and, of course, admired her in
dependent spirit.
| kept bordering the matter till IL
formed the chief subject Of my thoughts
through many long night watch. Ibid
not know Of any other woman whom
could love so well--Iwa only thirty-three.
even though had been bearded second
mate when she was wee sprite Of a child.
After all, the disparity of age was not so
very great, and perhaps
But could not bear the thought OF hav.
ing her marry meas perhaps she might,
II asked her-from any feeling Of graft
tude or obligation. Though am satisfied
since that wrungcd her, cvon In think
ing she might do SO.
She had developed into a beautiful
woman when we next met She was evil
IDENTIFY as fond Of me as ever, for the tears
came into her eyes at sight of me. But
she did not, of course, rush into NV arms