The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-25

1 did not offer to strike 9 bloW IN eur
/ defence. but, like the cowardly dog
that ne was, left us to a fate that was
too horrible to contemplate.
Jumping into our long boat, the
Indians pulled after her, but the brig
had good headway, her canvas was
drawing, and she coon left her pur-
suers far astern.
"This event seemed to irritate one Of
my guards, who had been particularly
active in strapring me to girt-line.
He had taken possession Of my pis-
tolls, one of which he cooked, present
ing it full at my head.
"Shipmate, I thought the number
of my mess was lost sure. closed
my eyes, breathed few words for
mercy, but q sharp click told me the
weapon had missed fire. With a
savage yell, he threw the weapon at
me; the heavy butt Struck my
head, and 7 sank to the earth insen-
sible.
"When consciousness returned, the
sun had set, and several large fires
had been kindled along the beach,
the very sight of which made my
blood run cold as thought over the
horrible tales Of cannlbalism l had
heard regarding them.
my bonds had been cut while I
was unconscious, but my head ached
SO that I made no effort to rise from
the spot where I had fallen.
Gan old squaw graciously allowed
me to bathe my bruised head in a ves-
sci of water, which relieved me SO
much that I was soon able to stand
On my fee s. '.n t... 70
cat that moment the Indian who
had acted as decoy approached me
with a malicious smile, and, pointing
to the fires, informed me that we
were all to be roasted and eaten. I
was to be the first victim, and for that
purpose had been allowed my liberty
until summoned to dangle head down
ward over the brush fire. d ID .'''
"What further information the ma
lignant scoundrel might have given
ME, 1 know not, for at that moment
he was interrupted by a ferocious yell
from the majority Of the tribe who
were grouped round the fires. 49,"
"Wivh a bound the Indian disap-
peared, and at a glanceI saw what
was the matter.
"While I had been unconscious, the
Indians had boarded the deserted
bark and secured large quantities OF
brandy and liquor which they
would barter their souls to possess.
: They were already under the influ-
ence of tho potent draughts they had
induIged in, and my heart gave a leap
# for Joy as I noted the relaxed 'vigi-
lance of the treacherous scoundrels.
"Gradually I worked my way to-
ward the dark spot where my seven
comrades were bound, their wrists
secured to pegs driven deep in tho
ground. 30 ''." '''
"a second ferocious yell escaped
form the Indians, whose dark, naked
bodies cleaned in the ruddy blaze of
: the fires, until to my excited gaze
7 they looked but little less than SO
J many demons escaped from the infer.
ual regions.
1.-The liquor had mounted to their
t brains, the eyes of the Indians snap
l ped in wild and unrestrained fury,
a word was sufficient to provoke a
blow, and yelling like SO many
r fiends, they rose simultaneously to
: their feet.
"Knives, hatchets and clubs were
l used indiscriminatelv, and the angry
4 yell died away the next moment with
{ last moan. Engaged in q deadly
e and drunken row. knew that nc
1 better opportunity would be afforded
y for flight. It was neck or nothing
d with us, shipmate, and we woulC
II have to strike bold blow if we woulc
I. gain life and liberty. "i:" ..''"''
/. '"I did not know what moment the
e Indians might turn upon thei
: hapless captives, and you may de
9 pend 1 lost no time in gaining theil
: side.
f In ten minutes they we're free, thei
d hearts beating with renewed hope
/, and determined not to yield up thei
3 lives without a struggle. ~
e Crawling forward through the
d grass, avoiding the fitful blaze Of the
fires, covering in some deep sha'
:, as stray Indian reeled by, we tinall,
|, gained the beach. '''''i '' ''*'''
s "It was but the work of momen
to launch the boat. The roar of tn,
$ surf effectually prevented any noise
a from reaching the ears Of the savages
L and, shipmate, imagine if you can
: thejoy Of the poor wretches who hat
n been so nigh to death, but who nov
y found themselves free, gliding swift.
away from the treacherous shore
! where the shouts of the combatant
,, still rose above the grinding Of tn
n surf. ,''':, .'-''"-~'' ''. . 'o
l. Again we boarded the bark, des
peration nerved US on, for the glare o
a the cannibal fires glittered an,
q wavered far out and beyond th
10 vessel.