The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-05-20

sole occupants olth quarter dcrk, and
upon them, All uudlmtd ~ thcy Ncrc,thr
mob rushed.
Amid the din and uproar Maynard
heard the voice of Captain Sylvester
calling upon him to jump through the
skylight. t
Jump, my lad and bear a hand. |
have the cabin doors barricaded.p
The mate required no second bidding.
With shout to the second mate to fol-
low, he sprang through the fruil struc.
ture, and the next instant they 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 dark.
Cncd fora few moments 10y a huge cOulie,
who was on the point Of leapng after the
| lUgiliyes, when the crack OF Maynard's
revolver saved him the trouble, and he
fell headlong into the cabin. Another
and another followed in quick succession;
| but not "a Cninaman succeeded in gaining
an entrance alive.
With yell OF bafled rage, the coolies
renewed the assault; but this time their
efforts were directed against the cabin
doors, They speedily yielded TO the
shower Of blows, and in few moments
were reduced TO 50 many splinters. But
Captain Sylvester had not been idle after
recovering from the blow dealt him 10y
his steward. Every available piece of
furniture, heavy tables, chests, and move
| able articles had been converted into
| l.,r,., 4, ,n.nt1,,,lltt thn
furious attempt of the now thoroughly
aroused mob.
Maynard and his companion fired with
Il cool and collected aim over the friend
ly cover, and at every discharge a coolie
passed to his last account Their cries
of hendish rage rent the air with redor-
bled violence at being so long baulked 0
their prey, while their leauer, the eX
steward, danced and capered about like
4 maniac.
The dead bodies of The coolies lay pill
ed one across another the survivors max
| ing no attempt to assist their wounded
comrades. Their ardor had been damp
ened by the severe check they had sus-
tanned, and retiring from the scene oftl e
conflict they held C)nsulation-a q
respite that was made the most of by
Maynard and his companion in repair.
ing and strengthening the barricade
! which had suffered somewhat from the
frantic efforts ofthe coolies.
An ominous silence had fallen upon the
ship, which BODIED no good to The three
reooute men who he'd possession Of the
cabin, With anxious hearts and fingers
pressing the triggers of their fire arms,
they stood sriuiug ears and eyes to
discover what might be going on among
their enemies,
Suddenly u simultaneous yell burst
! from the homsc jhroats Of the gang, loI
lowed by united rush which shook the
vessel.
Look to the cabin doors, Maynard; I'll
! take care OF the of the Skylightl' shouted
| Sylvester in am undaunted tone,aud aga in
the crash Of firearms, mingled with cries
ofpain, resounded through the ship.
In the meanwhile the snip, left to the
mercy Of the winds and waves, was
driving along before the wind With no
one to control her movements.
Both Sylvester and Maynard were
well aware that shoal, and reefs abound
ed in the vicinity, which added to the
deep anxiety proving upon them. I'M
| less The contest was decided in their ia-
yor and the coolies driven below in a
short time, Il common death might over
whrlm besieged and be-icgers, 10 add
to the perpleXilies and dangers which
appeared to hem the little band on all
sides, night was coming ON, and under
cover of darkness, the Chinese steward
might obtain the mastery by some subtle
strategy.
The whistlng Of the wind, the splash
of the rising waves and the tapping OF
canvass aIoft, were the only sounds that
reached the ears ofthooc i'll The cabin.
Bat it was only fora moment or two
that the lreacherous calm reigned over
the ship,
A shout of triumph rang through the
vessel, followed by Il few rapid orders,
then, without moments. warning, Il bale
Of oakum, soaked in lurpeniue and oil,
was hurled through the skyIight The
burning fragments were scattered about
the cabin, and as flames and smoke fol-
lowed, a cry of dismay escaped Sylyester's
lips.
My God they have us now" ne muir
mured.
And he staggered back, his face pale as
death in the rIddy glow Of the flames.
But the calm, deep NJice of the mate
resounde | in lis ears, restoring both con-
tidence and courage.
Give me some wet blankets, Captain
Sylvester, and bear a hand; we viii soon
| tbn Hva Tho ca,,,,J ,,..,to !,
guarding the forward door. and he is
more than match iorthe devils. Work
sharp, Captain, and we will yet gain the
day.
The twomen worked with will, know
ing full well what depended upon their
efforts. Despite the clouds of binding
smoke which nearly drove them out of
the cabin, they persevered, fighting the
new enemy incr by inch, which every
moment gained on them, despite their
utmost efforts.
The situation was certainly desperate
one, as inch by inch the binding smoke
drove them back until they were forced
to take refuge in the forward cabin.
TT. useless to struggle, Maynard; we
have exhausted all our resources; we
must die"
Courage" cried Maynard, Help
may come"
Even as he spoke deep, heavy report
reverberated over the ocean. What was
that?' he asked, in the next breath.
at sounded like cannon. Hark !
there it is again"
And the three men crowded close up
to the barricade, while a low hum Of
CONSERVATION was heard among the in
surgents, .
Now is your time, Captain Sylvester
A man-of-War is bearing down upon us
In less than half an hour we shall be
rescuel-ifwe can hold ont, The coolies