The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-09

ons; his cuilasses heavy enough, but lit
tie better than 30 many clubs; the four
muskets being the only modern affair at
hand. He was brave, and his men were
brave; hut what could they do against
such q horde as was now coming upon
them? The ship now lay with her star
board side next to the shore, and it was
evident that the MaIays would strike in
that direction. They would lay their
proa alongside, cast their grapplings,
many tigers. And what should keep
them away? Aye, and when they had
once gained the %deck-l50 of them
with their knotted wa clubs and their
gleamings, how long could the crew Of
the ship stand against them?
One man alone Of the ships crew ap-
peared to be thinkin g to q definite pur-
pose, and that was the cook-a stout.
limbed Congo, black as the ace ~ofspades.
"Ho, hol Mas'r let 'em COME" said
the cook, 10 Pansy, by name, exhibiting
q double row of teeth that might have
shamed a shark. 81 say, let 'em comet
Git q tar-bucket an fix the deck, and
den set up tacks for EN-"
The plan was quickly understood, and
as quickly resolved upon. On board
were Several boxes-with q hundred
packages in a box-of large-headed cop
per canvas tacks, very much like the
common carpet tack, the points sharp
as needles, with broad, fiat heads. The
men caught the idea, and sprang to
work with a will. One of the large
boxes was broken out, and brought on
a bucket of tar and a large brush, gave
RI tho cfar hNorI cs1o - ~ l@at e.
knight-head to %taffrail, a carefully laid
on coat of the intensely vlcous stuff.
while the rest of the crew-captain and
all-worked smartly at setting up the
tacks. They. were set thickly, the heads
planted firmly in the adhesive tar. with
the long, needle-like points standing I'M.
right.
The work had been accomplished be-
fore the proa had come within pistol-shot
and b crew were ready for the result.
The question had arisen: Suppose the
pirates should come up under the port
rail? But Babson had no fear of that.
They were steering for the side nearest
to them, and would not pull further
without cause.
AS o as the tacks had been set IN
several thousands Of them-the men
were at leisure to take a look at the en-.
envy, and consider what next should be
done.
The plroa was one Of the largest Bah.
son had ever seen-larger than he had
at hrst thought, aud capable of holding
men. When within two or three
cables lengths, of the ship its savage
crew arose and sat up completely filling
the space. AS nearly as the English.
man could calculate, without counting.
there were a hundred and fifty of them
at least, each man armed with a knife
and a club. And now a dozen more
paddles were added to the proa's mo-
tive power. Tom Delaney wa a strong
man.. with a stout heart and steady
nerve. but as he raised the telescope to
his eye and took q nearer view of those
creatures, a shudder crept through his
frame witch he could not repress. New
er before had he seen any thing 90 MUIR
derous-so horribly ugly and frightful.
The question was asked: "Shall we
fire upon them?" 1t was decided in the
negative. 1t was settled that the proa
was coming up under the starboard
chains, and Babson babe his men re-
serve their bullets and their energies
until they had the enemy in their pow
er. The crew was mustered in the port
gangway, each man with a pistol and a
cutlass, while h~andspikes, hatchets and
other weapons of like character stood
within easy reach.
1t was while Delaney had the glass in
hand that one of the men near the
wheel uttered n cry of satisfaction; and
when Captain Babson looked for the
cause he was pointed to adistant ripple
on the surface of the sea. Aye, a breeze
was coming!-'oo late to enable him to
avoid the proa; but it might help them
nevertheless.
and began to round-to with half the
paddles takeA in, Capt Babson hailed.
with u loud ''Ealloo!' he demanded to
know who they were, and what they
wanted. A terrific yell was the only
answer; and in a moment more the
proa's bow touched the ships side, un-
der the mizzen chains, gliding quickly
alongside; when grapplings were thrown,
and secured after which, with a bowling
and a yelling utterly frightful, the Ma
lays mouated to the rail. They came
up like so many cats, their light bodies
and powerful muscles making them
powerful climbers--came I'D by scores,
until full a hundred Of them were upon
the rail. with their long knives held be-
tween their teeth.
Despite the strange dressing which
had been put upon the ships deck, her
men were terror-stricken at the sight
before them. 1t seemed as though
those dreadful knives must reach them.
Aye, full a hundred had CAMEL the
seemed to be their chief-a tail, gaunt
savage, with a pyramid of feathers on
his head-took his knife in his hand
and SEM forth a mighty yell; wherepon
the others took their knives in their
hands, gave each an answering yell
leaped down upon the deck.
Instinctively the crew of the ship
crouched back, and bought up their pis-
tolls; but there was no need of striking
yet. Each man Of that pirate crew, as
his feet struck the deck, .trod upon at
least a dozen of those sharp pointed
tacks. Into the leather like soles of
those Malay feet the horrible tacks were
driven, and under the first stroke OTTER
rife pain down they went-the whole
lot of them-upon their hands and
knees, and filled the air with bowls of
anguish. Worse, and more of it! Into
their hands went torturing Jacks, until
the savage horde were literally insane
with the exquisite pain.
Babson could not find it in his heart
to fire q pistol. nor use a cntlass.
The story of the next ten minutes can
be imagined much better than we can
tell it. OF course, not one of those Ma
lays could hold a knife; for every hand
was pierced WITH the tacks; they could
not defend themselves in any way, other
than by getting back into their proa as
quickly as possible. And this they did.
Though their torture vas dreadful, and
though the act of either walking or
crawling made the torture more dread
full still, to save life they endured the
lesser evil for the time.
It was just as the malays had thrown
Iii. -, - sc, T., A. 1900. -.. A.