Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-25
IN THE JAWS OF DEATH.
A STORY OF A cooLIE REVOLT.

The clipper ship Transit was lying in
Macao Roads waiting for cargo of coolies,
the first instalment of which was already
alongside. They were destined for the is
land of Cuba, and were to be landed at
H vAna.
Considerable alterations had been made
for the accommodation of the natives, and
at the same time additional security added
for the safety OF officers and crew. The
fore and main matches Had been fitted with
heavy iron grating, securely bolted to
the combings, while over the main species
of iron cage had been constructed, fitted
with door, and secured by bolts.
The ship carried three mates, a boat
swain, and sixteen men, which with cap
tain, steward, and cook, completed the
Translt's complement.
The chief mate, John Maynard, was a
handsome young son of the ocean, stalwart
and brave. The second mate, Mr.. Halpin,
was good, efficient officer, while the third
officer was yet a young boy, scarcely
twenty.
Half dozen sailors, armed with cut
lasses ground sharp as razors, buckled
around their waists, and with loaded mus
kets, stood on either side Of the gangway
as the coolies fled over the side from the
large tanka boats alongside that had re-
ceived their freight at the barracoons.
Two days out from port, the steward,
who had contracted the fever while at
Macao, died, leaving no alternative to Cap
tain Sylvester, but to choose another, and
from the ranks of the coolies. He could
not well select one from the crew, there
was none too many on deck, and the du-
ties were far from light, so Chinaman,
Assam by name, was duly installed in the
cabin.
His dark eyes glittered with some
strong inward emotion as he stood humbly,
ever cringingly before the captain listen
ing to his directions but he made no
other demonstration the captain took no
notice of it, and he was suffered to depart
without futher delay.
Slowed away in the run of the ship abaft
the cabin, were some twenty thousand dol
lars, portion of the ships earnings, safe
ly packed in kegs. The fact had been
carefully concealed by the officers from the
crew, and as for the coolies it would have
been adding Goals to the fire had they but
an inkling Of the dangerous secret.
On the morning of the third day Cap
tain Sylvester crawled into the run of the
vessel, leaving the door open behind him.
his object being to look after the safe
stowage Of the specie. Without a nc
ment's warning he came upon the Chinese
steward, who was too intent upon what he
had before him to notice the approach of
his master.
The Chinaman by some means had man
aged to break open key containing the
precious metal, and the glittering contents
lay exposed to the sparkling avaricious
gaze OF the willy native.
For moment Sylvester was so taken by
surprise, so overcome by a nameless terror
as to be incapable Of motion, and large
drops of perspiration rolled down his pallid
face.
Recovering himself he roared out in a
voice of thunder, 'You Internal scoundrel
what are you doing here ?" And scramb-
ling forward the irate captain attempted to
grapple with his dangerous foe. But the
steward, quick as fash of lightning,
evaded the captains blow, dealt him one
as he glided by, and while Sylvester was
foundering among the boxes and barrels,
bewiidered and half stunned, the Chinese
steward sprang through the low door, dart
ed out Of the cabin and disappeared on
deck.
No one took particular notice Of the fel-
fowls movements as he sauntered careless
" along, pausing for amoment by the iron
cage which covered the main hatch. The
ladder was crowded with coolies, and to
them he addressed few rapid, guttera
sentences, at the same time applying key
to the door which he had purloined from
the captains state room. CHANGING quick
ly aft, he withdrew to one side, and that
instant prolonged and terrible cry burst
from the coolies, followed by tremendous
rush up the ladders.
With one bound the treacherous native
sprang upon the nearest sentinel, and be-
fore the sailor, completely taken by sur
prise could recover, his musket had been
snatched from his hand. and blow from