The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-07-07
Written for the Telegraph.
SNOW BOUND IN THE SIERRA
NEVADAS.
CONTINUED.
CHAPTER v.-THE CAPTAINS STORY.

/ and he related the following
"A few years ago, was comma ntler OF
Il vessel, sailing between Calcutta and
S ngapore. My first voyage, however,
came very near being my last. engageo
a crew of Lascars, as they are the best
sailors for that climate. My officers Were
all Americana, and l had three English
men as passengers. Having got every
thing on board, we made our way down
the Hoagly, and out out to sea- Nothing
of Importance happened, and though
hardly liked the looks OF some of my
crew, everything seemed to go on smooth
ly, until we had almost reached our des
tination. AS have said, the crew were
all Lascars, except one; that was negro
cook, who, from long living among the
Lascars, had acquired knowledge OF
their language. One day, he came to me,
and with very troubled expression, said
| he had something tn say L, me, which
lie wished no one els to hear Taking
| him into my cabin, told him to say on
He then proceeded TO give a full account
of horrible plot, which he had over
heard among the crew. 1t seems they
had not trusted him with their secret,
but, not knowing that he understood
their language, had the day before spok-
en- of it in his hearing, and since then he
had, by close watching, overheard the
whole plau, which was to be put in exc
cutionain day or two, he could not tell
the exact time. The crew had engaged
was gang of pirates, who had shipped
for the purpose OF numbering - ~,d
seizing the vessel, which was very fine
sailer. / was at a loss what to do; but
finally resolved to inf,rm the passengers
and officers, and make preparations for
defense
81 accordingly called them together,
and told them of the fearful danger that
threatened us, and advised them to pre-
pare for a desperate action, knowing that
s
! if overcome, we should certainly be mur.
dered. All declared themselves deter
mined to fight to the last, rathe~ than to
have their threats cut by these despera-
does. Fortunately, there was pretty
fair supply of arms among us, and we i'm,
mediately armed ourselves. The Eng
lishmen and myself were sportsmeu, and
accordingly had several guns, while my
three mates and l had in addition cut
were carefully loaded. and placed on the
cabin table, with supply OF ammuni-
ton, and put in charge of my steward
whom had forgotten before, and who
was also an American. Everything had
now been done tina. we could do, except
to make some loop-holes in the cabin
doors, which was also done 1t was oul
intention to commence the fight on deck
aud if close pressed, to retreat down the
gang way, and barricade tie door, and
keep ur a fire through it and the sky
light | ordered the cook to try to 6nG
out how they were armed, also when they
intended to make the attack This he
finally succeeded in doing, and informed
us that they had finally decided to com
!. mence operations that night, at four bells
z in the middle watch two in the morning
x,rap r. moo o,,,,,,noad that oil ofr, -
e cept the first mate, whose watch it was
! would be asleep in the cabin. AT thai
time the pirate captain was to take the
wheel, and at the first favorable opportu
: nifty to murder the mate, when others
> would rush into the cabin, and settle the
s rest Of u.s. On consideration we conclud-
ed not to Illustrate their plan at first, but
! to all remain below, with our weapons at
: hand, except the second mate, who was
: to 90 on deck as usual, but with loaded
revolver behind each hip, ready to shoot
|, the man at the wheel at the first hostile
movement. Our position was far from
encouraging: we were only uine, all told,
and the crew numbered thirty-three :
but the cook said they had very few fire.
arms, and those of inferior quality; most
of them had only the Malay crecse,
(which, however, is a very formidable
weapons, as, from its peculiar shape, it
inf;cts ugly wounds
GAS night came on, an ominous silence
Isettled on all on board the crew moved
labout their duties as ustlal Int in silanca