Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-31
PIRATE CRAFT.
How Three Junks Assailed q Msr
chant Vessel in Chinese Waters.
A Fierce Fight-OPPOFtune Ar
rival OF a War Steamer.
Cincinnati Rnquirer.

We left Boston year ago last AuN
gust in the ship Trojan, loaded with .
general cargo, bound for Msuritus, of
the east coast of Africa, and from
there to Hong Kong. on the south
ceast Of China. EVERYTHING went we'll
and the voyage seemed to be the most
prosperous | had undertaken until we
5eared the coast Of China. Just in the
period between the turning OF the mon.
soons, which, you know, are winds
that blow for six months up the coast,
aud the other six months down, with
q period Of some weeks between. 10
this interim OF calm weather, the
heavy long rolling sea which has been
caused by six months ofhard blowing
becomes q dangerous element for a
sailing vessel, as she is completely at
its mercy, having no use for her cans
vas. And il she had been deeply load
ed as we were, she is apt to strain her
frame and leak badly. We were In
this condition on a warm J une morn
ing, every energy being put forth to
keep the ship free from water, and
loose material from being washed
overheard, when we we're all suddenly
startled by the
BOOM OF A GUN
snd the whistle Of shot close to our
vessel. On looking in the direction
whence the shot came, we we're hor
rifed to see three enormous junks
making for us, using their long sweeps,
at which they are adopts. Every man
down to the cook, knew the fearful
meaning of that gun. 1t signaled
Chinese pirates, and the junks had
US at their mercy. Instantly | I'M
locked the arms chest, which con
tanned two Remingtons and two
Springfield breech leaders, with plenty
of ammunition; and passed the arms
to those whom | thought to be the
most trustworthy. Again and again
the junks fired at US, but their shot
passed hArmlessly by until they we're
within half mile OF us, when their
shot cut away the flying jib boom.
Knowing the effect of a sudden scare
on Chinsmen, ordered four men aloft
in the tops to open FIRE on them. and.
If possible, check their nearer ap-
proach, and had the satisfaction Of
seeing three Of the gang which crowded
the deck Of the leading junk fall under
the good aim Of the men in the tops.
Under the circumstances thought il
capital craftsmanship, as the vessel
was rolling at an angle of forty-fve
degrees from a perpendicular. The
heavy dead swell made il dangerous
for tue pirates to come too close, as in
case Of fouling they would certainly
get the worst Of it. They, however,
KEPT UP A CONTINUOUS FIRE
From their old>fashioned guns, and
occasionally a chance shot would cut
some OF our rigging. Thus we lay 10
suspense that day till near evening,
when a light breeze sprang up, and
the hope rose in our hearts that we
might yet avoid them by fight. BE-
my calculations | was two hundred
miles due east Of the Taya Islands, of
the north point Of Hainan, and with
the wind from the southeast | could
run direct before it for the Ladrones
of Macao. But our enemy was mol
to be bafled. and before | could gel
sail on the ship aud keep her away
they had forged ahead under oui
stern, and were within hailing dis
lance. Then all three fred at US, one
shot carrying away the wheel and dis
abling the man at it, while another
ball bit the forestry, and all The head
sail fell inboard, useless M ir-thei
efforts to handle the ship would avail
US any thing 80 / called all hands aft
to do the best we could to prevent the
swarthy devils from boarding us. We
opened a deadly fire upon them, bat 81
fast as one went down smother camel In
his place, all a budding, howlinn
crowd, whose rage and hate we're visi.
be even at that distance. Every time
q bullet went among them one or more
we're lsid out, yet they yelled all the
more and shook their wicked lookine
swords at US. The next discharge Of
the gun on the leewari junk carried
away our port quarter boat, a splinter
striking the mate, piercing his brain
aud
CAUSING INSTANT DEATH.
Even as he fell his death grip dis,
charged his piece, and one or more
paid the penalty Of his murder. His
death somewhat disheartened the men,
aud nothing but the knowledge Of
their ultimate butchery kept them 10,
The weather junk was drifting down
upon as fast, and was within one hun
dred yards Of US when they began
throwing their FIRE or stink pots with
sliDgS, and though there was not much
danger from fire, the stencil and suifo-
cation were almost uncomfortable. We
poured volley after volley into the
seething, yelling mass Of humanity as
they drifted nearer and nearer, and |
have often thought since that if they
could have got out Of renge they
would have done so, so deadly was
our FIRE.
Il ordered all the axes, top mauls,
hand spikes and every available arm
and missile after to the weather quar-
ter, where the enemy was bound 10
strike US. and directed every man 10
make for the rigging and get aloit a.
soon as should give the order.
THE sun was getting low, and the
whole western horizon was one con
tinued solar bow Of variegated beauty,
tiuged here and there with the omi.
nous brassy appearance which a sailor
knows 10 presage wind, and the con
traet between powerful and beautiful
nature ana puny man struck upon my
senses even in
THAT AWFUL HOUR OF SLAUGHTER.
THE weather junk was down on u.s.
and the yellow devils we're MAKING
frantic efforts to climb our sides. Az
fast as one gained a hold on the rail a
bullet or a blow from an ak crashed
through his skull, and be fell back a
CORPSE. Ny men were now fairly
wild with savage defiance, and fought,
TO man, for bis life. On turning 10
pick up some ammunition | saw A
clamp ladder thrown up on the lee
quarter, and instantly knew all was
up; they had swung across our stern,
and IN my excitement ! had not no
tlced it. Quick as possible / ordered
all hands aloit, and we had scarcely
time to gain the sheer poles when the
deck was swarming with a hundred
vel low skinned demons, intent on
murder aud robbery. Up we Chamber
ed till the tops we're gained, every
man luckily bringing his gun with
him, and having some cartridges ia
his pocket. Tsrbox, the cook Brought
4 topmaul with him, and threw Il 80
dexterously and true that he Drained
a Uhinaman, and placed another hors
de combat. | now ordered a careful
hre on picked men, and exhorted the
men not to waste a shot. Asa result
our decks were soon clear, all Of the
Uhinamen able to do so running into