The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-05-20
Selert Stnrg.
IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.
A STORY or COOLIE REVOLT

The clipper ship Transit was lying in
Macao Roads waiting for u cargo of cool
les, the first instalmeut Of which was al
already alongside. They were destined
for the Island of Cuba, and were to be
landed at Havana.
Consi lerabie alterations had been made
lorthe accommodation of the natives and
at the same Unconditional security add
cd for the safety Of the oliicersand crew.
The fore and main matches had been fit
ted with heavy grating, securely bolted
to the conbingS while over the main a
species Of iron cage had been constructed,
fitted with door and well secured with
bolts.
The ship carried three mates, a boat
swain, and sixteen men, which with cap
tain, steward, and cook, completed the
Iransi's complement
The chief mate, John Maynard, was q
handsome son OF the ocean. stalwart
and brave. The second officer MIR. Hal
pin, was a good efficient officer, while
the third officer was yet young boy
scarcely twenty.
Half a dozen sailors, armed with cut
lasses ground as sharp as ruzors, buckled
around their waists, and with loaded
muskets, stood on either side the gang
WAY as lbe coolies filed over the side from
TIE tanka boats alongside that had re-
ccived their freight at the barracoons.
Two days out from port, the steward
who had contracted the fever while at
Macao died, leaving no alternative to
Captain Sylvester but to choose another
from the ranks of the coolies. He could
not well select one from the crew, there
was none too many of them. and the du-
ties were far from light, So Chinaman.
Assam by name, was daily installed in the
cabin.
His dark eyes glittsred with some
strong inward emotion as he stood hum
bly,, even cringngy, before the captain
listening to his directions, but he made
no other demonstrations; the captain
took no notice of it, and he was suffered
to depart
Slowed away in the run of the ship,
abaft the cabin, were some twenty thou
sand dollars, portion of the ships earn
ings, safely packed in kegs. The fact had
been carefully concealed by the officers
from the crew, and as for the coolies, it
would have been adding Goals to the fire
had they but an inkling of the dangerous
secret.
On the morning of the third day Cap
tain Sylvester crawled into the run of
the vessel, leaving the door open behind
hin, his object being to look after the
safe slowage Of the specie. Without a
moments warning he came upon the Chi
nese steward, who was too intent upon
what he had before him to notice the APP
proach Of his master.
The Chinaman had by some means
managed to break open Il key containing
the precious metal, and the glittering
contents lay exposed to the gaze of the
ayarlclous native.
For moment Captain Sylvester was so
taken by surprise, so overcome by a
nameless terror, IS to be incapable Of mo-
ton, and large drops of perspiration roll
ed down his palid face.
Recovering himself he roared out in
voice of thunder:
"You Internal scoundrel what are you
doing here?"
And scrambling forward the irate cap
tain attempted to grapple with his dan
gerous foe. But the steward, quick as
fash of lightning, evaded the captains
blow and dealt him one as he glided by,
and while Sylvester was iiouHdering
among the boxes and barrels, bewildered
and half stunned, the Chinese steward
sprang through the low door, darted out
ofthe cabin and disappeared on deck.
No one took particular notice of the fell
lows movements as he sauntered care
lessly along, pausing for moment by the
iron cage which covered the hatch. The
ladder was crowded with coolies, and to
them he addressed a few rapid, gutteral
sentences. at the same time applying the
key to the door, which he had pnrloiued
from the captains state room. Glancing
quickly aft, he Withdrew to one side, and
that instant a prolonged and terrible cry
burst from the coolies, followed by tre-
mendous rush up the ladders.
With one bound the treacherous native
sprang upon the nearest sentinel, and be-
fore the sailor, completely laken by sur
prise could recover, his musket was
snatched from his hand, and a blow from