The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-06-25
IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.
A stcry of a COOlie Revolt.

A Stcry of a COOlie Revolt.
The clipper ship Transit was lying
Macao Roads waiting for a cargo {
coolies, the first installment of whic
was alongside. They were destined fo
the island OF Cuba, and were to be land
= ed at Havana.
Considerable alterations had beel
made for the accommodation of the ma
tives, and at the same time additiona
e security added for the safety of the off
GERS and crew. The fore and mali
! matches had been fitted with heavy iror
gratings, securely bolted to the comb
/ ings, while over the main species OF
iron cage had been constructed, fitted
with door and secured with bolts
The ship carried three mates, boat
swain, and sixteen men, which, with
captain, steward and cook, completed
the Transit's complement
The chief mate, John Maynard, was a
handsome young son of the ocean, stall
wart and brave. The second mate, Mr..
Halpin, was good efficient officer,
while the third officer was yet young
boy, scarcely twenty.
Half dozen sailors, armed with cut
lasses ground sharp as razors, buckled
around their waists, and with loaded
muskets, stood on either side of the
gangway as the coolies filed over the
side from the large tanka boats alongside
that received their freight at the barra-
coons.
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 anoth-
er, 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 duties were far from light, so q
Ohinaman, Assam by name, was duly
installed in the cabin. 4
His dark eyes glittered with strong
inward emotion as he stood humbly, ev-
er cringingly before the captain, listen
ing to his directions; but he made no
other demonstration; the captain took
no notice of it, and he was suffered to
depart without further delay.
Slowed away in the run of the shin
abaft the cabin, were ometwenty thous-
and dollars, a portion of the ships earn
ings, safely packed in kegs. The fact
had been carefully concealed by the Off
GERS from the crew, and as for the coolies
it would have been adding Goals to the
fire had they but an inkling of the dan
gerous secret.
On the morning of the third day Cap
tain Sylvester crawled into the run of
the vessel, leaving the door open behind
him, his object being to look after the
safe stowage of the specie. Without a
moments warning he came upon the
Chinese steward, who was too intent up
on what he had before him to notice the
approach of his master.
The Chinaman had by some means
managed to break open keg containing
the precious metal, and the glittering
contents lay exposed to the sparkling
avariciOus gaze of the willy netive.
For moment Sylvester was SO taken
by surprise, 30 overcome by nameless
terror as to be incapable of motion, and
large drops of perspiration rolled down
his paid face.
Recovering he roared out in voice OF
thunder, "You internal scoundrel. what
are you doing here2" And scrambling
forward the irate captain attempted to
grapple with his dangerous foe. But
the steward, quick as fash of light
ming, evaded the captains blow, dealt
him one as he glided by, and while Syl-
vester was Aoundering among the boxes
and barrels, bewilderedand half stunned,
the Chinese steward sprang through the
low door, darted out of the cabin and
disappeared on deck.
No one took particular notice of the
fellows movements as he sauntered care
lessly along, -pausing for a moment by
the iron cage which covered the main
hatch. The ladder was covered with
coolies, aud to them he addressed a few
rapid gutteral sentences, at the same
time applying key TO the door
which he had purloined from the cap
iain's state room. Glancing quickly aft,
he withdrew to one side, and that instant
a prolonged and terrible cry burst from