Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-08-05

whose courage and SteadlneSS L telL that
| could trust.
From what had overheard, | was we'll
aware at what juneture of our voyage
the peril awaited us. l knew the Mar
rows to be the name ofthe most contract
ed part of the channel, lying between a
long chain Of islets and the main land, a
place notorious for outrages on the part
of the numerous pirates, whom the indo-
lence or conuivance of the Chinese Gov
ernment permits to invest the coast
Nothing was easier than for a force Of de-
termned men to lie hid among the many
creeks that ntersect the shore, and to as
sail an unprotected merchantman before
their intention was conjectured.
The CaSSd,drG was n swift vessel, and
with Il good head Of steam, and the can
non which she carried, | should have had
little doubt of her power to repulse an at
tack, could but have relied upon my
crew. With traitors on board, however,
ready at a signal to assist the enemy,
there could be no hope Of Il successful de-
fenso.
The moro | saw Of the Chinese moiety
of the crew, the less liked Of their SCARF
ed, sallow faces, some of whom bore the
singular and undednablo expression that
came OF long sojourning in the Tapping
camp, while all had tho air Of truculent
mawuders. Most of the Christian sea-
men were Portugues-docle, swarthy
creatures, but not over war-like while
the English sailors, with the exception of
those from tho Windsor castle, were re-
ally what Sin bad described them-the
sweepiugs OF the grog-shops along the
wharf.
1t needed all my seltcontrol and COM
mand of features to maintain an unrutlled
aspect, join in general conversation, and
to avoid giving Bates, the traitor, the
slightest inllling that knew or suspect
ed anything. llo, on his part, was dis
cretion itself. could tell, by various
signs, that he was annoyed at my refusal
to maintain high rate OF speed 50 us to
enter the Narrows during the night
which would have facilitated his project (;
but finding that | was firm, he accepted
my decision with tolerably good grace,
and it was not until morning that we left
the broader channel, and ran into the
straits.
"How beautiful how lovely ~ ex-
claimed the ladies, who stood in the
steamers poop, admiring the effect of the
rosy morning light as it played on the
waving groves and dense foliage of the
many islands between which and the
coast we were now threading our way;
and the children clapped their hands with
delight rs the red hamingoes and silver
plumage ducks rose from the swamps on
changing wing. But the sight most do
sired to see was the open sen beyond, if,
as was unlikely, We should be allowed to
reach it in safety.
Captain" >" said the third mate, Hardy,
brave and good lad, Us he came hurry
ing towards me, "thero's net--so the
lookout dcclares-right ahead otus, block
ing the channel"
| sprang into the shrouds, glass in
hand, and one look sulliced to confirm
/ his words. Across the seaway, from
shoal to shoal, was stretched huge net,
supported here and there by line of
stakes, and marked by streak Of foam
ing water.
We were, indeed, IN the tolls, for had
heard often OF !his fayorito device Of the
pirates. My best course was, clearly,
to keep straight on.
&" Run, Louis, to Mr.. Bradshaw, the
engineer" said | to smart boy, the
stewart's lad ; "and desire him to put
the full head of steam on, and keep the
Ct,sSonoiro at her highest rate Of speed.
OF with you, and report to me-"
The boy went, but did not return. The
engines worked but slackly, and soon II
hoarse, confused noise arose from below.
" Something wrong in the engine-room y
/ said wondenngy.
"Mr. Hardy, go below, and inquire
what is amiss.',
But the mate had scarcely begun to
descend the gengway, before he called
out, in loud voices
"Mutny, sir, below. S ONE Of these
Chinese villains have"
Then be was dragged down by unseen
hands, and left the sentence unfinished f;
while almost instantly the screw ceased
to revolve, and the steam came rushing
up the waste-ppo, as the CasSancFo
floated idly down the current.
A cry Of surprise was uttered by the
passengers, and was answered by another
cry-the fierce, exulting yell Of barba'
rian, assured OF an easy victory, as forth
from the man-groye-fringed waters Of q
neighboring creek there emerged three
lorchas, their straw sails spread to catch
the breeze, and their long sweeps lashing
the water into froth, rs the frantic rower'
tugged at them while outstripping these
came on score Of boats, sampans ant
canoes, full OF wild and scantily-clothec
figures, who came on as fast as paddle
and pole colld urge their light skltis
Aolrishing their weapons with every pos
sble gesture OF brutal menace
| looked around for Bates. He was a
/ expected, among the Chinese on tn
fore.deck some OF whom had overpower
ed the engineer and firemen, and stopped
the engines, while the others were obyl
ously preparing for rush aft.
Then | threw glance at the approach
I ing pirates. If Hamilton is unable t
keep his promise, heaven help us J" sai'
/, with a groan, as my eye ranged owe