Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1884-05-04
HARRY HARDUP As A
MISSIONARY. '

AEEAEk" \ A0 ASAsSASN Va A~S :"
Guinea, large and fertile tract of
land abounding in nearly all trop-
ical products, lies to the North of
Australia, and is inhabited by SO
warlike and treacherous q tribe of
canibals that all efforts to establish
friendly relations with them have
so far proved futile. The mission
sry societies stationed in the South
Seas. have long been attempting to
gain footing on the island, and
in the hopes Of conciliating its ma
tives, have at various times contrib
uted fat Bishops and young mission
aries to the cuisine of their epicur-
can chiefs. fact which has given
them q keen relish for that article
of diet. In 1876 the Episcopalian
society engaged me as pilot OF a
small steamer they were about to
dispatch to that coast. We made
the run across Torres Straits with
out encounteripg any adventure
worth recording and brought the
steamer to anchor off the southwest
corner of the islard AID directly
opposite large grove of trees. be-
meath which q number of natives
had assembled to prepare arrow
root and cure fish for consumption
during the rainy season which was
then approaching. When every
thing was made secure on board
the steamer, the senior mission
airy requested me to effect land
ing aud endeavor by few presents
to gain the good will of the barba-
rians. Only too anxious to distin-
guish myself in what was to me an
entirely new line Of business; |
gladly acceeded to his proposal,
and equipped with a bundle OF
tracts under my arm, my pockets
filed with beads and fish hooks and
two good navy revolvers strapped
on my belt, I started for the shore
fully confident in my ability to
convert niggers by the dozen as long
as my ammunition lasted. Leaving
my boat in charge of its crew on
the beach. I proceeded towards
the assembly of natives accompan-
led by two boys, who had been ia
ken from tho island some time
previous and educated for inter-
prefers. Observing no signs of
hostility on the part of our desired
converts, 1 advanced boldly into
their midst, and elevating myself
on a stump commenced expounding
on the beauties of the Christian re-
ligion. Seeing their eyes fixed
upon me with every appearance OF
the most absorbing interest, 1
fondly imagined they were trans
ported by my eloquence. and felt
inspired to perform prodigies in
that line, you see,I never supposed
they were estimating how many
good, juicy steaks they could cut
off my hind quarters, until one Of
the interpreters whispered, Look
out mate, them fellows eaten you.
'.Eeatem me ?" l exclaimed as up
on looking round, I discovered
large number had separated from
the main body and got between me
and the beach, thus completely
cutting off my retreat to the boat.
One glance suficed to show me the
pearl of my position, a single false
move, the slightest attempt at es-
cape or resistance would have been
the signal for my instant death.
so pretending not to have noticed
anything suspicious in their ac-
tons and assuming a nonchalance
of manner l was far from feeling, |
drew from my pockets several
strings of glass beads and holding
them up to the view of all, ex-
claimed, "look at those beads.
would not the lady cut dash who
was decorated with such as these,
take them," aud with spirit of I'M
parelleled generosity I threw them
as far in front of me as possible.
A general scramble ensued for the
beads in which the poor devils be-
hind me had no part. but that they
might not be entirely disappointed
1 drew forth handful of fish hooks
and after exhibiting them in 81 M
liar manner, threw them after the
beads. All alike, unable to resist
the temptation thus afforded Joined
in o simultaneous rush for fish
hooks. Then Mr.. Editor, if you had
seen this missionary get for his
boat you would have backed him
against the champion runner of the
,roc11 Tho oovanoo NOR n Al o mo-