Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-08-29
In a Sumatra Jungle.

In a oumatra jungle.
Ii was i'm the late autumn of 1869
that the ship Richard Walton ran in
to the hsrbor of Bencoolen, on the
southwestern coast Of Sumatra, and
anchored. was FIRST mate of the
ship, fine half clipper belonging in
Boston, and was kept busy all day
in putting the vessel in good order,
for we expected to remain in port
nearly two months, the purpose Of the
voyage being a cargo of extra fine
pepper, and such choice coffee and
gums as could be gathered in length
ened stay. II was late in the even
lug when the captain returned from the
shore, where he had gone Immediately
after the anchor was dropped, and l
heard him ask the steward where |
was.
The steward told him that / had
just come in from the deck, and was
eating my supper, and he Immediately
came forward into the cabin where |
was, and after greeting me and hand
ing me some letters, said:
Here is your mail, Mr.. Ross. By
the way, have l not heard you say
that you have been in Bencoolen be-
forei"
Eyes, sir, have been here three
times since the war closed"
"And do you know anything of
the country between this place and
the port Of Palembang'"
Not very much. / have been some
distance inland with young native,
but sixty miles is the extent Of my
travel"
"Palembsng lie about three hundred
miles away, by the most direct road,
or SO our consul informed me, and
now, to GENE directly to business,
received a letter from the owners in
my mail, and they say that they have
had word from their agent in Palem-
bang saying that he had about two
hundred and fifty tons of choice pep
per, and lot of other goods for them,
and would ship them by the first YES
sci bound for Boston. 1t is not quite
time for any ship to call there and
they thought that if | could get
word to the agent, it would be cheap
er for them to have the goods brought
home in the Walton, as she could
call for them without making much
delay. There are two ways in which
this can be accomplished. could
stay here with the ship, and make
provisions for the cargo we are to
take here, while you went across the
country to Palembang, and told the
agent that we would call for them on
our way home, or could leave you
here, and take the ship around and
get them, and then return here but
in this season with the wind against
us, this would be tedious, and Il ship
might call before we arrived. The
best way IL for messenger to travel
across the country. Are you willing
to goY"
For moment was so surprised
that could not reply, and thinking
that my hesitation was caused by a
Discrimination To make the journey,
the captain said
"Of course you need moi 90 unless
you wish To, for can send native,
but | thought that it would be better
to send person on whom ] could
rely"
I had recovered my self-possesslon,
and was able to put myself right in
few words.
1T was not dislike to the work,
captain, but rather an excess of pleas
ure. | have always had desire to
make just such journey, and shall
be only too glad of the chance
II am happy to hear you say this.
Of course you can have attendants
and horses. The consul will furnish
both"
do you think could have the young
fellow who used to he with the consul's
boatman His name is Arroo. and
his home is in the mountain. between
this place and Palembang
I'll think you can. He is with
the consul now, for heard him call
ed this afternoon"
when am to Get out p
"As soon rs possible, for we do not
wish the agent even to engage freight
for the goods, YOU know"
IL can be ready by Tomorrow, for
| eau answer my letters tonight"
III am much obliged for your assis-
lance in this matter. Mr.. Ross, aud
the owners shall know of your read
mess to do this, aud they will not for
get il. OF course you will need
armsi"
"Yes, would like good rife.
"You eau select one from the ships
arnory, and the money will be furn-
ished by the consul"
very well, captain, | will be nil
ready for start in the morning"