Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-08
Stltttr0 Storp.
CAPTURED BY CANNlBALS.

did | ever tell you about my advep-
ture on the coast of Rio de Ia Hache /?
Wei, It was a MARROW slip Tor me so near,
in tact. that | had given up all hope OF
-, d. -4} lie. Bu; the evening is young,
we will brew . sill nor wester OF punch.
and. II you like. I'll give you the yarn. "
O'd Captain Jackson was retired ship
master who had seen much of the world
in his time and profled by the experience,
Tor he was accounted one ot the wealth.
est men il the village OF which he was
resident. used to drop into bis house
OF AZ evening tor an hour or so, and the
old gentleman always accorded me II
warm welcome.
His wife had died. leaving him almost
lrieudless, as nc had no children, aud the
old gentleman lived quiet. subdued Lille,
with no one in his house bUt a faithful
housekeeper and Al sntiQua;cd old stew
ard vbo was fully posted as regarded his
masters wants and pccullri,ies, he hav'
ing served him long and well.
Il was quite young man, shipmate.
Che always called me by that ntle,) when
| found myself on board the old brig
Sarah. as chief mate. We were bound
u the Spanish Main on a trading trip-s
dangerous locality in the days | am
speaking Of
The old craft was iolerably well armed
aad carried long iron nino-ponnder on
piyc, carriage, with plenty of ammuni
uon TO make her talk, should occasion de-
mand t.
John Webster was in charge, and q
more contemplate bully never trod The
ouarter-ieck. l did not hnd him out
shipmate. until we had gained the blue
water. or | would never have gone on
tnat trip with him.
But. on the whole, | never regretted
il; Tor, although came near losing the
number OF my mess, still 1t was the
means OF stumbling into piece OF good
fortune TO the tune of six thousand do
lars.
That sum, >hipmaie. amply recon-
pensed me for all my sufferIngs, placed
me on NY feet. and was the foundation
OF my future prosperity.
Here the old gentleman refreshed him-
self with q stiff tumbler Of punch which
the steward handed to him, and settling
himself back in his chair, the old gentle
msn commenced in earnest.
II, was late one afternoon when We
made the bold. sterile hills which line the
coast of Rio lie la HAche. At the same
time one OF the sailors at work on the
foretopslal yard, reported sail standing
Of the land.
We were short OF water, the tank hav
ing sprung leak unbeSnown to me. aud
+ Cap,ain Webster resolved to make a
landing without delay, for the purpose OF
redllug.
/ took upon myself the liberty OF IN
forming nv superior that the natives oil
Rio de IA Hache were exceedingly lero-
eious. and had the reputation OF being
caDnibals; so that If any unlucky mariner
WINS unfortunate enough 10 fall into their
h.,Js he ran but little chance OF escap-
ing with bis life.
To this my gallant captain responded
by a coarse laugh OF scorn and deiis'on'
which fairly made my fingers tingle with
race which l kept subdued, however,
To his allusion regarding my couiage'
,.;J INIT little attention, and was mole
than half Inclined to accept his proPosi-
ton. when he remarked
"u felt timid at sll. he would take
charge of the watering party himself
But held my tongue, merely replying
tba, would go in command ana "aiAeu
ha,ow 10 make such preparations aS
deemed necessary.
In the meanwhile the breeze died grad
rsllv away. until our lgh: and lolties'
s.i,s alone were filled; the moon shone
Nth nnwonted spleador and bIilliancy'
revealing The snow White sails OF the
stranger, which proved to be q bark
As The two vessels slowly approached
one auo,ber, il struck me that there was
something Singular in The appearance o.
the stranger.
She was heavily spared with loads o
canvass hanging from her square yafo'
which shimmered and CLEANED IN TAT
moonlight. The copper shot for'h
sci,til.ating light IS her lore loot ross
and fell amid the phOsPhorescent S"el
Of the ocean; but there was cei'A'i