The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-09-24

awful predicament and danger the ships
company were in through his instrument
taIity, jackson whispered few words in the
ear of the Malay, who ventured to approach
his royal master.
Jackson had bethought him of the fortu-
nate discovery of the medicine chest, and
determined to assume the risk of asserting
his power to save the princess life, which
he accordingly did, and the Malay quickly
conveyed the intelligence to the respondent
father.
In an instant the high-born native was
on his feet. His eyes glistened with an un
natural lustre; his deep, sonorous voice
echoed through the room, while the Jewels
flashed and scintillated on his clothing as he
gesticulated wildly.
Tbs Malay translated the will Of his
chieftain, and Jackson was infol IN ID that
he should have an opportunity to try HE
skill-that, if successful, he would be
loaded with wealth such as he never
dreamed of = that his comrades should
share in his good fortune, and liberty as
well as jewels should be the share of the
white strangers. But, on the other hand,
after exciting false hopes and making an
assertion he could not make good, if the
princess should die, then death with the
most exquisite tor1nents would be the por-
ton of all
1t was not without a nervous chill that the
shipmaster listened to the alternative. and
although his face was pale, still he never
| faltered in his step as he followed a guide
to the presence of the princess.
He could scarcely repress his cmbarrass-
ment as he bent over the slight form of the
princess, who was little more than child
in years, and stature. She was reclining in
a silken hammock, partially covered by a
slight gauze covering. She moved her
head from side to side, moaning with pain,
and quietly submitted to jackson as he
examined her pulse, tong.e, etc.
He soon discovered that her trouble was
nothing more serious tlian a slow fever,
which the contents of the medicine chest
would easily alleviate, an, he breathed a
silent but fervent prayer Of gratitude for
the means of escape Offered TO his comrades
and himself ..-...
The precious collection of drugs was
soon under his watchfuI care, the proper
| remedies given, aud for the first time tor
many days the princess sank into an easy
and refreshing slumber that night,
jackson watched by her hammock, while
the stern old ;hief occupied a pile of cush-
ions close beside linn.
The recovery of tha patient was rapid,
thanks to a good ccl- tuition; and captain
jackson in the course OF zen days had the
satisfaction of see x her sitting up
laughing aud talking with her overjoyed
father.
The safety Of the shipwrecked crew was
assured, the rajah more than kept his
word, heaping gems and gold dust upon
them all. a. a....-
To jackson he made the most munif-
cent offers, pressing upon hin the office of
chief jain of the island. But the ship
master wisely declined the office in eau
tious language, and at parting his belt re-
ceived an addition that more than exceeded
his widest ideas Of wealth.
The entire party were conveyed to Sim
capore, where jackson bade adieu to his
| old comrades, taking the first mail steamer
that left.
Reaching Liverpool, he soon arrived at
his destination, and was warmly welcomed
by his wife and Ii tie ones, to whom he re-
lated his strange adventures.
Without los. 81 time he called on the
| owners of the Exporter, who had mean
| while, secured their full insurance of vessel
and cargo-coolly informing jackson that
| he need never expect to command one of
| their ships again; for which rebuff he cared
! but little.
Removing TO small. out growing West
! eTn town, he became identified with its
prosperity, and to-day is one of its wealth
| lest and most influential citizens.
| He has conscientiously striven to re-
pair the error into which he was drawn,
| but never thiuks of Shanghai and the tea
! trade without visible shudder.