The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-07-27
4 BRUSH WITH PIRATES.

In the year 1907 was mate OF TIE
''Shoey-Leen' (Water-lilly), smart,
rakish little schooner of hundred and
fifty tons register, which traded between
Tam-sui, on the island Of Tae wan For
mosa), and Annoy, an open port in tho
province of Fob ken, China Our
cargo, camphor, was all aboard, the an
Choir hove short. and the sails hanging in
the clews, all ready for slleeting- home,
when Captain Bainton came on board
and instructed me to get the vessel I'M
der way.
1t was glorious morning; the light
S. W. monsoon rippled the surface of the
SAPPHIRE sea, which sparkled in the liquid
ambe: rays Of the summer sun, aud fill
ing the snowWhite sails of !, the pretty
vessel, gently waited her across the har-
Dor bar, out into the blue expanse of
ocean that lay before her.
IF this breeze holds we shall have
pleasant run across. I think the fore
topmast studding- sail will draw now. if
you set it, said the skipper, as he came
up from the cabiu after DINNER.
Obedient to his order, l had the sail
cleared away but, as the crew were
hosting it, the tripping line got foul,
and sent one of the hands to clear it.
''Kappal II (sail oh y he cried, when
he had performed the duty. Our crew
numbered thirty, and they were all Ma
lays.
MANA dere ?' (where away p ask
ed.
De mocha, tuan, atlas angin sidikit,"
fahead, sir, little to windard) he re-
piled.
go up into the fore-top, and see
what she's like" said the Captain to me.
ftook binocular field glass, and ascend
ed as high as the futtock shrouds. ''There
ere two junks, sir-large ones, both
lodging about under small SAIL" | re-
ported, when regalned the deck.
BY two-bells in the first dng-watch, we
had approached within mile of them,
and Judging by'tkeir appearance, | had
but little doubt that their intentions to-
wards us were hostile; for they were
sneaking along some distance apart, as if
they medfated intercepting US.
Almost all native vessels in the Chinese
seas are pirates, when opportunity Of
fers-though they profess to carry on a
legitimate trade; but these fellows I
soon recognized as free hooters for they
We're heavily armed, showed large num-
bers of men upon their decks, and car
ried stink pots at their mast heads. 7
called the Captain. who was doing ia
his berth, and directed his attention to
them.
N afraid we shall! have some from
bic with these fellows. Mr. Walters he
SAID, after careful survey. Call all
hands, and get the guns loaded. We
must be prepared in case of an attack
The 'Shoey-Lecn was well equipped
for the trade In which she was euaa-
ged was hazardous one. Four breech
loading rihed nine Founders on the main
deck, swivel eighteen-pouuder on the
fore-castle, and host of boarding mixes.
reviewers and eutlasses, formed her ar
mament, and the crew were all skilled in
the management and use of these weap-
ons, as Malays glory in the sea 6shts
especially when their fees are the Ch;-
nese, for whom they cherish the most in
veseEate hatred
l served out arms and ammunition.
overloaded the breechines and side
tackles of the guns, saw them prenerlv
loaded, and then reported all ready 70
the skipper, who was pacing the decks
as unconcernedly as if no such things as
plratical vessels existed Suddenly he
halted, and indicating one of the iunks
WITH his fore-hnger. said. THAT rasca,'s
edg'ng away TO Reward, so that we shall
De compelled to pass between him and
DIS eossoft; point the 'ad gun, and
when give the word, FIRE. Knock axav
his forenass If you can -
thought he Intend Being the first TO
commence hostifities T; but the schooner
advanced until both iunks were nearly
sbesm-yet he did not give the word.