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

know nothing OF our defenseless ccndi
tiOn, though the appearance Of the ship,
under 20 little canvas in fine weather,
must be strange and suspicious to mem
They would not attempt any fOulplay
with US, II they believed the vessel be
fully manned and armed. They hadcome
of to drive barter trade with the bite
men, as was their usual custom.
at once set to work, with the b of
the child, who shaVed q ready q re-
hension OF the situation. TO msnufa lie
crew for the vessel. Seamen's hes
were abundant, and in short tim ery
handspike was rugged up In mot klit.
These were all stuffed out into shl md
topped with hats or caps. 4 kV&ffd
them in the most natural positions out
the decks, in the various parts Ut the ship,
30 as to give the whole the most lifelike
appearance.
loaded all the firearms we had On
board, which amounted to only three
muskets; and then went aloft to loose the
main sail, which had never been set since
the gale in which the crew were swept
overheard. had felt unable, alone, to
control such an immense sheet Of canvas
But must have it ready for use row, in
case should want TO give the vessel more
Roadway. -,
While on the mainyard engaged in loos.
enipg it, q sail appeared in sight over the
point OF the island. Not canoe-one
could no. be seen at that distance in range
Of the trees, but shipl Ny heart leaped
at the thought that help ana deiivcrancc
were within few miles of me.
Al. fVa a
Jessie - / shouted as let fall the bunt OF
the mainsail, and hurried down on DECK
l caught it from her eager little arms, cent
! IL 10 the hslyards. and run IT up-haif-
mast, as signal Of distress
braiIed the spapker, while the child
put the helm up, and by the power Of the
on the same tack with the strange vessel
could not steer the ship directly al her,
without running the ship ashre nor
could she work TO windward much against
the force of the current. But my hope
lay IN her sending boats, as soon d those
on board should see my flag of distress
and the strange trim Of my sails.
/ managed TO swing the head yards
round, and set the forcsail, after fashion
But meanwhile the savages were fast
closing with me, and / had not sufficient
confidence in my sham seamen to believe
that could long deceive their sharp eyes
l might gain little time; but the trick
must be discovered and feared it would
be before succor could reach me from th
strange ship
kept Jessie at the wheel, steering as
much off the wind az dared; but WAS
fearful Of getting embayed, and not hay
ing room to clear the point. let fly the
mAinsail, and gave IT kind Of flying set,
as wei, as could. The ship felt this
added power q: once, and gathered head
way; which I determined she should not
lose, for II the barbariaDs once succeeded
In getting on board, 1t would be too late
for. amy attempt Of boats to rescue us, even
IL we we're not instantly put to death. 1t
was no time now To think of the question
whether could ever get the sails IN again.
/ must have the use CT them now, at
once and I sprang aloit to loose the top.
sails.
had only time 10 do this and let 90 the
gear, SO that they filed and bagged out in
mid air; for Of course l could not hoist
the yards up. The leading canoe was now
drawing very near me; and the ugly-look.
ing wretches stood standing in silent be-
wildcrment as the chip drove past them
saw by their gestures as they pointed at
the handspike men, that they were al.
ready suspicious; probably from having
nOticcd that they didn't move about. Bit
they rested on their paddles 70 confer
with the next corners, and l had thus
gained 80 much time, while was doing
what could 10 push the Warsaw ahead
knew these people well enough to be
sure that they would never attack UNI
less all the circumstances were over
whelmingly In their favor. They would
move warily In accommodating; but
as soon as certain of the true state OF
things, they would make dashing at
tempt TO board the ship by force.
had thus shaken off the first canoes
and left them in the wake. A stern chase
is proverbially long one, though their
canoes would sail much faster than the
ship wound, under her bags and festoons.
But other pu.Buers were fore-reaching
upon me, and fresh reinforcements put
ting ont from the shore as we neared the
land obliquely. None seemed to care to
visit the other ship; but all were attracted
by the mysterious maneuvers OF mine.
A large canoe, which contained one
whom | judged to be leading chief,
placed herself in my track. Iwbbliged,
TO pass her 80 closely, that
their suspicious, already aroused by tele
graphic signals ffem their bafiied COM
rades, were rendered certainty. Our real
weakness was now understood, and al
most Instantly communicated through the
whole flotilla. All those which had been
LETT in the rear gave chase under full
power Of sails and paddles; while five or
six late arrivals, who had the advantage
of position disposed themselves for board
Ing the ship on both bows at once.
There was no alternative for me but to
stand boldly ON my course, and had
time, before closing with the enemy, to
run up In the main rigging and cast an
anxious glance toward the ship, which
was hugging the wind under all sail in
the endeavor To come to my relief Bet.
ter than all, could sec that two boats had
left her side and werc pulling toward ne.
But crisis must come before they
could arrive on the stage. I sprang on
deck again, seized q boarding knife, ter
rible two edged weapon, which would be
far more effective at close quarters than
any fire arms, and took my stand on the
fore matches, where could Jump quickly
to either side. The bulwarks, a. before
stated, had been nearly all swept away by
the sea that boarded us. But this circum-
stance WAS ul1ite AZ ynuch In NV favor A