The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-04-11
Gbe Ginres, Mem BLOOMFIELD, pa.

uninjured canoes were in a group about a
mile and half of, while all around US
the water was covered with dead and
dying, the sharks feasting on their man
gled remains.
" l mean to give these chaps parting
benediction," said Seymour, he walked to
swivel and swinging it into position,
sighted and fired.
As the smoke arose from its muzzle,
the natives in the distance swung their
paddles in the air, and made gestures of
derision but before they ceased their
antics the ball, truly aimed, was among
them, and to our great delight it stove
two of their canoes.
"Cleared the kitchen p shouted our
delighted owner, as he saw the success of
his shot, snd as he ran aft l kept the
ship off, and was soon running down to
the scene of disaster AS we approach
ed, the survivors dove like ducks, in as
many different directions as there were
men, but deserving the chief, we singled
him out and bore down for him. As we
approached, he dove and attempted to
double on us by rising to windward, but
as we had the advantage he failed, and
when he made second attempt, one of
our seamen, hastily tying running
bowline, and dropping it over his head
and under his arms, sprang overheard,
and as the chief rose to the surface, he
was seized by our man and held firmly.
Soon we had the sailor and his prize on
deck.
"And now for Lauoa," said l, as we
left the island with a spanking breeze.
In the afternoon we again sighted
land, which proving 60 be our true desti-
nation, we ran in and came to anchor
AS it was near night, we ordered off all
canoes until the next day
That evening Mr.. Seymour detailed his
plan of rescuing the unfortunate woman
ashore and although had many mis-
givings as to its success--deeming it ex-
ira hazardous-in lieu of anything better,
| finally agreed to his project, promising,
if it failed, to fire upon the natives as
long as shot was left to use; and as
morning arrived before we had compile
ted all details, we hastened to put it into
execution. u.d5 rsrf. Dad .r
AS the canoes began to appear, we
had our captive savage brought aft, and
Seymour, showing him loaded pistol,
told him to tell the new visitors of the at
tack he made on us, and the defeat he
had suffered, all of his war feet being
demolished, and he prisoner, and if he
said one word more he was dead native,
but if he gave correct account, he
would be liberated when we left.
The chief, having no alternative, stood
on the quarter deck with Seymour beside
him pressing the pistol into his back,
and ordering him to proceed, and not in
timating that their language was under
stood by us
Our captive was thoroughly cowed, and
gave succinct account of the fight, and
entreated the natives to trade freely with
us, as his liberation depended upon it
Although we saw many scowls on their
features as they listened to the narrative,
they wanted to barter badly, and agreed
to do so, and pay large ransom for the
chief when we were ready to leave.
Having made our arrangements, our
prisoner was returned to his former
place Of confinement, and business be-
gan. u iaE4i1 He- oily
In the afternoon Seymour stripped off
his clothes and we painted him with
Spanish brown, soon turning him into a
respectable looking Kanaka, even going
so far as to give him a mark of Indian
ink, stripping off with that pigment, un-
til he made fair representation Of our
checkerboard visitors. He then arrayed
himself in the tappa of the prisoner
chief, which we unceremoniously bor-
rowed, and emerged from the chrysalis of
a white man into a passable native. As
soon as it was dark, called for two reli-
able men to put him ashore, and having
selected couple from the dozen who of
fered their services, we lowered a small
boat we had on deck, and taking Sey-
mours hand, bade him good-by with
many painful foreboGings.
AS he glided off in the darkness, / felt
that | should never see my friend again,
but | determined if anything happened
to him, would take summary vengeance
on the natives, and show them the power
Of white men. rr
In about twenty minutes the boat was
again alongside. | asked the men how
they had got ashore, and was told that
the canoes we're hauled up, and after bid
ding them come every night at twelve
o'clock, or, if anything suspicious in the
attitude of the natives occurred, to take