The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-08-26
THE TIMES NEW BLOOMFIELD PA. AUGUST 2e, 1879

entire population who were able to walk
must have been present And among
them, to our great relief, appeared our
two comrades, who had been left In
charge of the boat They were still
guarded, but did not appear to be hurt.
Somehow, felt that they were safer,
now that the Irlshman was out of the
way, and that we should have no diff
Guilty about eflecting their ransom.
But nothing could be done for them at
the moment, and gave the word for
the already overloaded boat to return to
the barque. Keeping then under good
working sail, we held our position until
day again broke.
1t appeared that the mate, soon after
we left, had stood off shore to make a
long board, intending to be close in with
the island at nightfall but the wind
Stacking, he was so far off at the time of
the surprise of the guard and seizure of
the boat, that he knew nothing of that
transaction, and did not regain his de-
sired position with the ship until long
after dark. He had since kept the sig
nal-light constantly aloft, and as the
night advanced, had sent the second
mate with another boat to reconnoitre,
becoming uneasy about us and had also
fired the siX-pounder, as before related.
We succeeded, the next day, in ran
soming our two men for fewp pounds of
tobacco, and other articles of trifiing val
ue; and having got them safely on
board, we opened regular fire from the
old gun-carriage, under cover of which,
we landed and took off our boat. The
savages took good care to keep out
of range of the gun, and we had no de-
sire to kill or injure any of them. The
renegade Barney was the instigator of
all the trouble, and it was a satisfaction
to us to know that he got his deserts.
firmly believe it was his ntion to
have destroyed us all, and then to have
captured the barque, if possible. He
was bad enough TO do it, but too coward
ly to wish to run much risk himself, and
for that very reason, was unable to in
spire his followers with courage to act
promptly. His whole management of
the business showed an indecision which
marred its success, and proved our safe
ty. Followers will never be bold with
out bold leader.
Our two men, when attacked, fired
but a single shot, which slightly wound
ed one of the natives but, deciding that
resistance was useless, threw their guns
into the sea, as the rest of us did after
wards, and submitted at discretion. The
wounded native and few others were
clamorous for their blood and, for
time, their lives seemed suspended by
hair; but the ransom party finally pre-
vailed, and the prisoners were placed in
confinement, but not otherwise ill-treat-
ed. 1t did not not appear that these
people were desirous of killing any
white men. Their cupidity was the be-
setting sin, as is the case of most South
Sea Islanders, but they would never
have done us injury, but for the influ-
ence of the white scoundrel and coward
Barney.
We did not stay to make a trade for
the anchors and other articles nor did
we see what disposition was made of the
beach-comber's body. 1t was probably
carried off outside of the reef and sunk,
according totheir usual custom.