The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1875-12-30

OAlA/Ld ~ LIZ i
rail, watched them until thev were
lost in the darkness. I suppose 1 must
have remained in this position-that is,
with my arms on the taffrail-about ten
minutes, when, without warning, I felt
myself lifted off my legs, and some one
behind me endeavoring to throw me
overheard. am by no means light
weight. gentlemen, as you can see,
weighing, I should say, then something
over 200 pounds; but the person evi.
IDENTIFY depended upon the suddenness
Of the attack to accomplish his purpose.
| struggled violently, holding on by my
hands to the rail, and letting fly right
and left with my feet; and in the end /
unsuccessful. The Chinaman tripped,
and lay upon the deck in my power.
Without thought, without q moments
hesitation, / laid hold Of him by the
trousers with one hand, and took cou-
pie of turns Of his pigtail by the other,
and threw him overheard. After had
accomplished this, made for the cud-
dy. Arrived there, I at once went to
Mr.. Spencer's cabin; but upon trying
the door found it locked! I gave one
or two good kicks, at the same time
calling out to him to open the door. He
sprang from his berth, and called out
in reply that it was locked from the out
side. told him to stand clear, and
with good one, two, three, from the
shoulder, / burst the door in. There is
no doubt must have looked very pale
and very excited, as his first question to
me was:
"'Why, Mr.. Topham, what in the
name OF goodness is the matter? You
look as pale as DEATH
s. told him all that had happened.
and likewise my suspicious that we had
not seen the end of the affair, and that
our best plan would be at once to arm
ourselves. told him to dress himself,
whilst went on deck to rouse our two
English sailors, whom we could depend
upon, and bring them to the cabin. I
had planted one foot in the saloon, the
other being still in Mr.. Spencer's cabin,
and had my eyes directed to the stairs
OF the companion way, when, in the
shade, / thought I deserted China
man. Thinking that it might be the
steward, l called out to him by name,
"A Tong;' but no reply came, when I
felt pretty certain that it was not the
steward; in which belief / was not long
left in doubt. I had turned nv head
into Mr.. Spencer's cabin to tell him of
my suspicious, when thought heard
steps stealthily approaching me. I gave
q rapid glance, and there, not four feet
from where / stood, were some Eve or
six as villainous looking Cinnamon as
had ever beheld, armed, some with
bamboos about ten feet long, and 9TH
ers with swords. In an instant I had
sprung into the cabin and closed and
bOlted the door. With yell the whole
of the gang made one Simultaneous
rush toward the door; but they had
missed their mark by a second. had
planted my back against the door, and,
thanks to my weight and the bolts, it
resisted their combined efforts to force
it. Other measures, however, knew
must be at once resorted to, and that
instantly. Calling upon Mr.. Spencer to
move his chest of drawers against the
door, and placing two trunks on the top
OF them, we patiently awaited the CON-
ing events. Spencer very fortunately
had couple o1 Colts revolvers il lis
chest OF drawers, with which we armed
ourselves The gang outside were evil
IDENTIFY in deep consultation as to their
next mode Of attack. One voice heard
raised above all the others, and that
one voice was without q doubt A Tong.
our much respected steward. From the
little Chinese was acquainted with /
gathered that they were bent upon the
treasure, which kadcome on board from
the Oriental Bank only that afternoon.
It had been slowed away in the captains
cabin, and was safely lodged in one of
Miners FIRE and thief proof safes.
"They proceeded to the captains
cabin, but in q very short time return
ed, and knocking at the door with their
demanded it to be opened.
At first they used threats, then entrea-
ties, promising Us that not hair Of our
heads should Be hurt. But, though we
feared their threats, We had no faith in
their promises, and fully determined
that, Il the worst came to the worst, we
would cell our lives dearly. Oh, how
we longed for eleven O'Clock, for Cap
tain Wilkes return. How patiently
and eagerly We listened for the splash
Df the ears of the aix etalwart boatnen.
We hsAfd four bells from the different
'hips IN tho haFbors loMe n0t . couple
of hundred yards away; but it was i'm
II A.. !. -