Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-04-23

like figs in q drum. He made up his
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
were the old. fashioned hintlock
weapons; bis 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 30 many
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
co ok, 10 Pansy by name, exhibiting a
double row of teeth, that might have
shamed shark. 81 say, let 'em come !!
Git tar-bucket an fix de deck, an den
set up tacks for emp
The plan was quickly understood, and
as quickly resolved upon. On board
were several boxes-with hundred
packages in box-of large headed cop
per canvas tacks, very much like the
common carpet tacks, the points sharp
as needles, with broad fiat heads. The
men caught the idea, and sprang to the
work with will. One of the large boxes
was brought on deck and opened. Two
men each with bucket of tar and
large brush, gave to the starboard side
of the deck, from knight-head to taffrail,
q carefully laid on coat of the intensely
viscous 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 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
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 soon as the tacks had been set up-
several thousand of them-the men
were at leisure to take look at the
enemy. and consider what next should
be done.
The proa was one of the largest Bah.
son had ever seen-larger than he had
at first thought, and capable of holding
more men. Within two or three cables
length of the ship, its savage crew arose
and sat up, completely filling the space.
As nearly as the Englishman could cal
culate, without counting, there were a
hundred and fifty of them at least, each
man armed with q knife and a club.
And now q dozen more paddles were
added to the proa's motive power. Tom
Delaney was strong man, with stout
heart and steady nerve, but as he raised
the telescope to his eye and took a
nearer view of these creatures, a shud-
der crept through his frame, which he
could not repress. Never before bad he
seen anything SO murderous-so horri-
bly, ugly and frightful.
The question was asked "Shall we fire
upon them?" 1t was decided in the neg
alive. 1t was settled that the proa was
coming up under the starboard chains,
Babson babe his men reserve their bull
lets and their energies until they had the
enemy in their power. The crew was
in the port gangwsy, each man
with pistol and a cutlass, while the
hatchets, and other weap-
ons of like character stood within easy
reach.
1t was while Delaney had the glass in
his hand that one of the men near the
wheel uttered CRY of satisfaction; and
when Captain Babson looked for the
cause, he was pointed to distant ripple
on the surface of the sea. Aye, breeze
was coming!Etoo late to avoid the proa;
but it might help them nevertheless.
As the proa came up to the quarter,
and began to roundup, with half the
paddles taken in, Capt. Babson hailed. |
With loud "Halloo!" he demanded to
know who they were, and what they
A terrific yell was the only |
in a moment more the proa's |
bow touched the ships side, under the
mizzen chains, gliding quickly alongside;
when grapplings were thrown, and secur-
ed. after which, with howl and a yell |
utterly frightful, the Malays mounted to
the rail. They came up like so many |
cats, their light bodies and powerful |
making them perfect climbers
came up by scores, until full a hundred |
Of them we're upon the rail, with their
long knives held between their teeth.
Despite the strange dressing which had |
been put upon the ships deck, her men |
we're terror-stricken at the sight before |
them. 1t seemed as though those dread
full knives must reach them.
Aye full hundred adgained the ship
rail, and MEETINGS, when one who seemed |
TO be their chief-a tall, quaint savage,
with pyramid of feathers on his head
took his knife in his hand, and sent forth |
} mighty yell: whereupon the others
took their knives in their hands, gave
each an answering yell-and Ieaped
down upon the deck. Instinctively the
crew crouched back, and brought up their
pistols; but there was no need of striking
yet. Each man of the pirate crew, as his
eet struck the deck, trod upon at least a
lozen of those sharp-pointed tacks. Into
he leather-like soles of those Malay feet
he horrible tacks were driven, and under
he first stroke of terrific pain down
hey went-the whole lot of them-upon
heir hands and knees, and filled the air
with howls of anguish. Worse and
more of it. Into their knees and into
he broad palms of their hands went the
tacks, until the savage horde
we're literally insane with exquisite
,ain.
Babson could not find it in his heart
q fire a nisfol nor uaa a c1flaa