The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-12
IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.
A STORY OF A cooLIE REVOLT.

The clipper ship Transit was lying in
Macao Roads waiting for a cargo OF coolies,
the first instalment of which was already
alongside. They were destined for the is
land of Cuba, and were to be landed at
Havana.
Considerable alterations had been made
for the accommodation Of the natives, and
at the same time additional security added
for the safety of officers and crew. The
fore and main matches had been fitted with
heavy iron grating, securely bolted to
the combings, while over the main species
Of iron cage had been constructed, fitted
with a door, and secured by bolts.
The ship carried three mates, boat
swim, and sixteen men, which with cap.
tain, steward, and cook, completed the
Transit's complement.
The chief mate. John Maynard, was o
handsome young son Of the ocean, stalwart
and brave. The seco"d mate, Mr.. Halpin
was good, efficient officer, while the third
officer was yet a young boy, scarcely
twenty.
Half q dozen sailors, armed with cut
lasses ground sharp as razors, bucklec
| around their waists, and with loaded mus
kets, stood on either side of the gangway
as the coolies filed over the side from the
large tanka boats alongside that had re-
ceived their freight at the barracoons.
Two days out from port, the steward
who had contracted the fever while al
Macao, died, leaving no alternative to Cap.
tain Sylvester, but to choose another, and
from the ranks of the coolies. He could
not well select one from the crew, there
was none too many on deck, and the du'
ties were far from light, SO Chinaman,
Assam by name, was duly installed in the
cabin.
His dark eyes glittered with some
strong inward emotion as he stood humbly
ever cringingly before the captain listen
ing to his directions; but he made NJ
other demonstration the captain took nc
notice Of it, and he was suffered to depar
without futher delay.
Slowed away in the run Of the ship abaf
the cabin, were some twenty thousand dol
lars, portion of the ships. earnings, safe
ly packed in kegs. The fact had beer
carefully concealed by the officers from th'
crew, and as for the coolies it would hav'
been adding Goals to the fire had they bu
an inkling Of the dangerous secret.
On the morning Of the third day Cap
tain Sylvester crawled into the run Of thu
vessel, leaving the door open behind him
his object being to look after the saf
stowage Of the specie. Without mo
ment's warning he came upon the Chimes
steward, who was too intent upon what b
had before him to notice the approach o
his master.
The Chinaman by some means had man
aged to break open keg containing tn
precious metal, md the glittering content
lay exposed to the sparkling avariciou
gaze of the willy native.
For moment Sylvester was so taken b,
surprise, 90 overcome by nameless terro
as Ito be incapable of motion. and larg
drops of perspiration rolled down his palli
face.
Recovering himself he roared out in
voice of thunder, "You internal scoundre
what are you doing here3" And scramb
ling forward the irate captain attempted t
grapple with his dangerous foe. But tn
steward, quick as q fash of lightning
evaded the captains blow, dealt him on
as he glided by, and while Sylvester wa
foupdering among the boxes and barrels
bewildered and half stunned, the Chimes
steward sprang through the low door, dart
ed out of the cabin and disappeared OF
deck.
No one took particular notice Of the fe
fow's movements as he sauntered careless
ly along, pausing for moment blythe iro
cage which covered the main hatch Th
ladder was crowded with coolies, and t
them he addressed few rapid, guttert
sentences, at the same time applying key
Ito the door which he had purloiqed from
the captains state room. Glancing quick.
ly aft, he withdrew to one side, and that
instant prolonged and terrible cry burst
/. from the coolies, followed by tremendous
rush up the ladders.
With one bound the treacherous native
sprang upon the nearest sentinel, and be-
fore the sailor, completely taken by sur.
prise could recover, his musket had been
snatched from his hand, and blow from
the same stretched the poor fellow lifelesi
on the deck.
Like the rush of some mountain torrent
the coolies swamed on deck, carrying every
thin9 befora them. The scntinels vert