The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-08-28

g. SlcAs 14o1D0Rs
OF all the dangers that beset the mar
liner, whether it be from storm, FIRE, or
the hidden reef, none have such terrors
for vessels trading in the Pacific Ocean as
the pirates that infest the Chinese coast.
With ordinary skill and vigilance the for
mer dangers may be guarded against,
and it is seldom that some one does not
survive to tell the tale, but an attack BY
these pirates is conducted with such cum
ming, treachery and skill. that if it is sue
cessful, it leaves q mystery far harder to
bear than known misfortune, for those
who watch and wait for a ship that never
returns to port. Every year adds to the
list of stately vessels and gallant crews
that leave pot forever, and are eventually
placed among the missing" How many
Of these are captured and destroyed on the
China coast can never be known; their
assailants show no mercy, and the ocean
''tel!s no tale"
The quaint junks that leave the Chinese
ports at night-fal are to all appearances
the peaceful traders that they profess To
be; but if an unprotected vessel comes in
view, the scene changes as If by magic;
deck loads Of merchandise are thrown into
the holds, and cannon take their place;
the crews are marvelousiy REINFORCED by
men who have been hidden below, and
the former lazy coasters glide swiftly along
propelled not only by their sails but BY
long and powerful oars.
The doomed vessel is quickly surround
by the pirates, and a cannonade soor
brings her masts and yards crashing to hel
deck. Her crew may defend themselves
as well as they can, but they are outnum
bered Fifty to one. Nearer close the pi
rates, who throw rockets and '.jingals'
that leave an unquenchable fire and q
Supplying smell wherever they fall; tn,
defense grows more feeble, end now, run
ming alongside. the pirates board, ant
slay all Of the crew thot may survive. By
the busy hands Of the plunderers the cargt
is soon removed, hole is bored undel
the xater-line of the captured ship, anC
as the pirates sail away, the scuttled yes
slowly sinks from view, and after wear,
months Of waiting her name Is placed OF
the list Of missing"
The pirate coasters repair their damages
send the guns below, divide the booty ant
| dispense. II the battle has been heard by
a cruiser, she hastens in its direction ant
meets with two or three easy-going trad
ers who are apparently unconscious Of an,
such thing as piracy near them. II an,
sign of the conflict remains about them
and an explanation is required, som,
plausible story is always ready in which
they are represented as the real sufferers
Complaints against all robbers are inter
mixed with cunningly invented direction
to the man-of-war, which is soon in no
chase Of an imaginary foe.
If caught, these pirates meet Will
prompt punishment, which is always death
knowing this, they will fight iercely,
discovered by man-of-war while attack
ing a vessel, and many instances are re
corded where all the members Of pirat
crew have destroyed themselves in prefer
ence to an ignominious death which the
knew they would meet if captured.
A voyager on the waters of the Eas
often finds it difficult, when he sees tn
Chinese trading vessels sailing PEACEFUL
around him, with their gay streameIs an
picturesque sails, and their gones sound
ing salute as the vessel passes them,
imagine that many of them are pirates
and that if a suitable opportunity wer
offered them to make an attack, the vesse
he is on would never see port again. Blu
If he should happen TO imagine such
thing, his fears would probably be vel
founded, for the records of the Chimes
coast service are filled with accounts O
vessels which have been attacted and de
stroyed by pirates that were cruising abou
in the guise Of Just sucn harmless lookin,
traders as he sees about him.