The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-06-25
IN TIE JAWS OF DEATH.


The clipper ship Transit vas living il
Macao Roads waiting for q cargo q
coolies, the first instalIment of which
was already alongside. They were das
tined for the island of Cuba, and wer,
TO he landed at Havana.
Considerable alterations had beer
made for the accommodation of The
natives, and at the same time additional
security added for the security ot
officers and crew. The fore and mair
matches bad been fitted with heayy
iron grating securely bolfed to the
'cOmbiDgs, While over the main species
OF iron cage had been constructed. fitted
with door and secured by bolts.
The ship carried three masts, a boat
swain, and sixteen men, which, with the
captain, steward and cook, completed
the Transit's complement.
The chief mate, John MAYNARD, was q
handsome young son of the ocean, stall
wart and brave. The sec0nd mate. Mr..
Halpin, was a good, efficient officer.
while the third officer was vet a Young
bOv, scarcely twenty.
Hall dozen sailors, armed with cut-
iasses ground sharp SIS razors, buckled
round their waists, and with loaded
1nTskets, stood on either side of the
Rangway as the coolies fled over side
from the large tOnka boats alongside
that had received their freight at the
baTracoOns.
Two days ont from port, the steward.
VINO had contracted the fever at Macao,
died, leaving no alternative TO Captain
oyIVester, but to choose another, and
from the ranks of the coolies. He couId
En1 Al.
were none too many on deck and the
duties were far from light. so a China
D'aI' Assam by name, was duly installed
in the cabin.
His dark eve glittered with some
strong inward emotion as he stood
humhlv, even criDgingly, before the
captain, listening to his directions. but
ne made no further demonstration.
TIE cantain took no notice of il, and he
was suffered to depart without further
delay.
Slowed away in the run of the shin
abRft the cabin were some 500, 900, a
portion of the ships earnings, safely
packed in kegs. The fact had been
careful Y concealed by the officers from
the crew, and as for the coolies, it would
have been adding Goals to the fires had
they hnt an inkling of the dangerous
sec rt.
On the morning of the third dav
Capt. Sylvester crawled into the run of
he vessel, leaving the door open he.
hind him, his object being to lock after
the safe stOwage of the specie. With
out moments warning he came upon
the Chinese steward, who was too intent
upon what he had before him TO notice
me apDrOach OF his master.
The Chinamsn by some means had
managed to break open keg containing
the precious metal, and the glittering
contents lay exposed to the sparkling,
avaricious gaze OF the willy native.
For moment Sylvester was so taken
by surprise, SO overcome by "A nameless
terror, as TO be incapable of motion, and
large drops OF Precipitation rolled down
his Dallid face.
Recovering himself he roared out in A
voice of thunder, "You internal scoun-
orel, what are yOu doing here ?" And
EcramblIug forward the irate captain
attempted 70 grappIe with his dangerous
foe. But the steward, quick as a flash
of lightning, evaded the captains blow,
dealt him one as he glided by, while
Sylvester was fiOundering around among
the boxes and barrels. bewildered and
half stunned, the Chinese steward
sprang through the low door, darted
out of the cabin aud disappeared on
deck.
No one took particular notice of the
fellow as he sauntered carelessly
along, psUsing for a moment by the iron
cage which covered the main hatch.
The latter was crowded with coolies, and
to them he addressed O few rapid, kut
tural sentences, at the same time apply
ing key to the door which he had pur-
Iolned from the captains state room.
GIancing quickly aft, he withdrew TO
one SIDE, and at that instant prolonged
and terrible cry burst from the coolies
followed by tremendous rush mn the
ladders.
Nltn one bound the treacherous ma
tive sprang upon the nearest sentinel.
ana before the sailor, completely taken
by surprise, could recover, his musket
had been snatched from his hand and a
blow from the same stretched the poor
fellow lIfeless on the deck.
Like the rush of some mountain tor
rent the coolies swarmed IN deck. car
rylDg everything before them. The
sentluels were literally swallowed up bv !
the infuriated mob of yelling demons |
and were never seen again.
Maynard, tCgethe. with the second |
mate and man at the wheel, were the |
sole occupants of the quarter deck, and |
upon them, all Unarmed as they were.
the mob rushed.
Amid the din and uprOar MAYNARD |
heard the voice of Capt. Sylvester call |
ing upon him to jump through the |
skylight.
Jump, my lad, and bear hand. l |
have the cabin door bsr1icsded."
The mate required IO second bidding. |
With shout to the second mate to fol- |
low, he sprsng.through the frail struc-
ture, and tie next instant the two off |
GERS were side by side with Sylvester, |
who hurriedly thrust into their hands a
loaded revolver apiece.
There was no time for congratulations,
the aperture above their heads was
dsrken d for a moment by a huge coolie,
who was on the point of leaping after
the fugitives, when the crack of May,
nard's revolver saved him the trouble,
ami he fell headlong into the cabin.
Another md another followed in quick
succession. but not a Chinaman suc
ceeded in gaining an entrance alive.
With yell of baffied rage the coolies
the assault, but this time their
efforts were directed against the doors
IT. the forward cabin. They speedily
yielded to the shower of blows, and in
few moments we're reduced to so many
spiinieTs. But Captain Sylvester bad
not been iole after recovering from the
blow dealt him by his steward.
Every available article of furniture,