The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-04-18

The idea was not bad one, SO we let
our prisoner go in the canoe that carried
the answer back, giving no suggestions to
him, as we knew anything we might say
would be useless, and make the natives
think we were frightened.
The savages set up joyful shout as they
saw him enter the canoe, but relapsed into
sullen silence, when it pushed off without
the lady. When the ambassador reached
the flotilla, our late prisoner was carried to
the largest canoe, which we concluded held
the chief, and for some time talked excl
tedly, using many gesticulations, and point
ing repeatedly toward us.
At last he sat down, and the chief ad-
dressed his followers for a short time then
the canoes separated, forming q ring
around us, and appeared to be quietly
awaiting our movements.
"I understand them," said Seymour
"They intend to wait until the sun is at
the stipulated height, and then, unless we
comply with their terms, attempt our cap
ture. The cook had better get the water
boiling"
"Water am all steaming, sar," grinned
the cook.
AS it was no use to weigh anchor, and
we were all ready, we hove short, if breeze
sprang up to sail, and quietly prepared for
the approaching conflict.
At last the sun was at zenith, and as we
made no signs of capitulation, ferocious
| yell was passed from canoe to canoe, and
then they all turned toward u.s. AS they
did SO, our guns rang out their loud reports,
to pieces, horribly manning and mangling
| its human freight. So unexpected to them
was the terrible loss, that instead of closing
on us and making it hand-to-hand con-
flict, they hesitated, and then withdrew for
short distance in confusion, giving us am
pie opportunity TO swab out and reload our
guns. Horrid imprecations came from
their lips, echoed by wild lamentations from
the beach crowded with women and chill
dren. Suddenly the cries of rage were
changed to shouts of joy, and on looking
up the harbor, we saw large number of
canoes Fastening to join our enemies.
The sight was discouraging one to us,
for now we counted nearly hundred ca
noes filled with men, and we knew that with
such force, they could, by determined
dash, carry us by storm. Not man of u.s.
whose face did not blanch at the prospect
before us. o, how we wished for breeze.
Our enemies Immediately Joined their new
allies, but soon we saw canoe with one
man in it leave them, and paddle boldly
for us. -
-" We can stand 'em one at time, but
it's the whole capoodle that we fear" said
our mate, as the canoe came swiftly under
the counter, and its occupants sung out
"Ship ahoyp'
The minute Seymour saw our visitor he
cried out, Whippey, as / am sinner"
"That's my name /; but who are you that
knows me?" asked the stranger, in bluff
voice.
"I was the blacksmith at Rava, was the
answer. at was touch and go, when you
escaped, heard ; but what possessed you
to come again and interfere with the ma
tives?"
The story was quickly told, and then
taking our visitor to the cabin, we showed
him our fair captive. On seeing her,
Whippey said
Il saw you perform once, soon after you
arrived, but could not speak with you.-
could do you no good, and would raise nc
false hopes in your heart. 1t was better to
leave you in ignorance.
"How long will your people remain as
they are, Whippey?" inquired Mr.. sey-
mour.
"Until dusk, if stay as long as that
he replied.
Perhaps, then, the young lady will
now favor us with her name and history,
said Seymour. We were perfectly ignorant az
TO her antecedents, there previously being nc
time to hear her story but now with Whip
pey as hostage, we felt that it was good
time to hear her history, which she gave
thus
"My father was Boston merchant, and
being out Of health was advised by oul
family physician to take long sea voyage
which he did, with myself and an old En-
glish woman for servant, in q barqu'
bound to Australia. My parents name wal
Carlton, and he was in the Australia trade
Father had always been fond Of pres
tidigation, being natural ventriloquist.-
He took his complete apparatus with him