Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-04-25

sprang aloft. He was an experienced
hand in those seas, and knew every
sign and signal. Taking the glass from
the hand of the topman, he levelled 1t
upon the bay, and saw the
proa lust rounding the northern
headiand. It was one of the largest he
had ever seen-a Malay war canoe,
capable of carrying 200 men. There
were two savages in her stern sheets, 2O
at the broad-bladed paddles-ten on
each side and two more in the bows,
making twenty four in all. They were IN
plain sight, so arranged that it should
appear as though they were all; put
Babson could see that others were lying
fat upon the proa's bottom. wishing,
however, to make sure, he slung the
glass over his shoulder, and sprang up to
the cross-tree above, where he took
another observation, being here enabled
to look down into the bottom of the craft
were he saw the savages packed away
like figs in a drum. He made up bis
mind that there could not be less than
one hundred and fifty of the piratical
crew. And with this information he
returned to the deck.
William Babson was brave man, but
his heart sank within him, in view of
the prospect before him. His pistols
we're the old fashioned flint lock
weapons; his cutlasses heavy enough, but
little better than 80 many clubs; the four
muskets being the only modern affair at
hand. He was brave, and his men were
brave; but what could they do against
such 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 Malays would strike in
that direction. They would lay their
proa alongside, cast their grapplings, and
then pour in over the rail like 80 many
tigers. And what should keep them
away? Aye, and when they had once
gained the deck-150 of them-with
their knotted war-clubs and their gleam-
ing knives, how long could the crew of
the ship stand against them?
One man alone of the ships crew ap-
peared to be thinking to definite pur-
pose, and that was the cook-a stout
limbed Congo, black as the ace of the
spades.
"Ho, no! Mars let 'em come," said the
60 ok, 10 Pansy by name, exhibiting a
double row of teeth, that might have
shamed shark. II say, let 'em come!
Sit a ar-bucket an fix de deck, an den
yet up tacks for 'em"
The plan was quickly understood, and
Is quickly resolved upon. On board
we're several boxes-with a hundred
packages in a box-of large headed cop
Der canvas tacks, very much like the
common carpet tacks, the points sharp
rs needles, with broad fiat heads. The
men caught the idea, and sprang to the
work with q will. One of the large boxes
was brought on deck and opened. Two
men each with bucket of tar and
arge brush, gave to the starboard side
If the deck, from knight-head to taffrail,
. carefully laid on coat of the intensely
7iscous stuff, while the rest of the crew
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 upright.
The work had been accomplished be-
fore the proa had come within pistol.
shot, and the crew were ready for the
result. The question had arisen: "Sup-
pose the pirates should come up under
he port rail?" But Babson had no fear
If that. They were steering for the side
nearest to them, and would not pull
urther without cause.
As soon as the tacks had been set 10
everal thousand of them-the men
we're at leisure to take a look st the
enemy. and consider what next should
,e done.
The proa was one of the largest Bah.
on had ever seen-larger than he had
t first thought, and capable of holding
nore men. Within two or three cables
ength of the ship, its savage crew arose
nd sat up, completely filling the space.
70 nearly as the Englishman could cal
ulate, without counting, there were a !
undred and fifty of them at least, each
IAN armed with knife and a club. |
md now q dozen more paddles were
dded to the proa's motive power. Tom
Delaney was strong man, with stout |
cart and steady nerve, but as he raised |
be telescope to his eye and took a |
carer view Of these creatures, q shud-
er crept through his frame, which he
ould not repress. Never before bad he |
cen anything 30 murderous-so horri- |
ly ugly and frightful.
The question was asked: "Shall we fire
pom them?" It was decided in the neg
tive. It was settled that .the proa was
oming up under the starboard chains,
'abson babe his men reserve their bull |
It's and their energies until they had the |
nemy in their power. The crew was |
mustered in the port gangway, each man |
18th pistol and cutlass, while the |
andspikers, hatchets, and other weap- |
ms of like character stood within easy |
each.
1t was while Delaney had the glass in |
is hand that one of the men near the |
heel uttered cry of satisfaction; and
hen Captain Babson looked for the |
ause, he was pointed to q distant ripple |
n the surface of the sea. Aye, q breeze
7as coming!-too late to avoid the proa;
ut it might help them nevertheless.
As the proa came up to the quarter,
nd began to roundup, with half the |
adde's taken in, Capt. Babson. hailed. |
With loud "HaAoo" he demanded to
now who they were, and what they |
7anted. A terrific yell was the only
in moment more the proa's |
ow touched the ships side, under the |
aizzen chains, gliding quickly alongside; |
7hen grapplings were thrown, and secur- |
d. after which, with howl and q yell |
tterly frightful, the Malays mounted to |
be rail. They came up like 80 many |
ats, their light bodies and powerful
muscles making them perfect climbers
aYno nm nv ac0roa until fi11l a huudrod |