Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-08

little sleep was INDUCED in on board
the Lydm, fore or aft, for the men thor
ouuhly understood what would be their
fate in the event of surprise.
"But at last daylight began to break
in the east, and we felt that our alarm.
for that night at least had been uncaled
for. That day Amekama came of, and
l made him understand that | was about
to leave the bay and 30 down the coast.
To this the chief offered every objection;
saying that much skins would be
brought down next moon from Tashce,
an interior village, and begged me to
wait for them.
SAT last feigncd to consent, but said
l should exnect, in that case, visit
from Maquina This formal visit from
the head chief was part of tho etiquette
OF the coast trade, and was always ex-
pcctcd.
"Amekama demurred, but finding I
placed great stress on this visit, said he
would induce his brother to come on
board, but If he did so he must come as
big 'Tyce' or chief aud with much
people, mot two canoe only To this
/ agreed, and the chief went on shore.
''That night and the three following
nights kept up the same vigilant guard,
but as there were no signs of any hostile
movement among the Indians, and our
relations seemed to continue on the same
friendly footing, with furs coming off
daily, came to the conclusion that my
informant had been mistaken in regard
u u contemplated attack. Still did
not relax my precautions, except in SO
far rs allowing one watch to so below at
night, as indeed the poor fellows by this
time sadly needed proper rest.
son the fourth night, l remained on
deck myself until long after midnight,
and then, calling the chief mate to take
charge, warned him to keep o sharp
lookout, and going below, threw myself,
all dressed, upon the transom and soon
fell into an unqulet sleep.
Il had slept about an hour when Twas
aroused by noise on deck as of the fall
ing of heavy body, followed by my
mates voice shouting: ''All hands on
dcckn
"Cutlass in hand, sprang to the
co npanion-way and was on deck in an
instant. At first l could distinguish
nothing in the darkness, but just then
some one set light to the port-fire, and
as the flame shot up o terrible sight pre-
sentcd itself. Swarming over the bows
were crowds of yelling natives, while in
a small knot by the main-mast was
gathered handful ofmy men, evidently
only the port watch-or what remained
OF them.
81 grasped the situation at glance,
and shouted to them to join me; then,
springing to the alter carronade, with
their aid ran it in, swung italound and
trained it forward upon tue Indians,
who were pausing to gather their forces
for rush upon us en- masse, with the
expectation of crushing us at blow.
''This was only the work of moment,
but VIC were none too quick, for at that
instant they bore down upon us, waving
their clubs and hatchets, and yelling like
demons.
ss'Stand clear, boys" I shouted, and
touched the match to the gun. 1t bclched
forth its deadly contents almost in the
faces of the dense mass of savagcs.
THE effect of this discharge of grape
and canister at such close quarters was
friehtful, aud did not require to be
repeated, for, as the smoke lifted, few
stragglcrs who had escaped were seen
leaping overheard from the forecastle,
and the victory was won.
ut was sickcning task that remained
to separate the few wounded living from
the heaps OF manglcd corpses, but sailors
under such circumstances are not very
delicate and the dead were committed
at once to the bay, while the wounded
were placed in the canoes we found under
our bows and set adrift to be taken in
hand by their friends on shore.
As VIC proceeded with this work we
found near the foremost an Indian we
recognized as o chief by his trappings,
who. save for q confused head, was en-
tirely unframed. Assoon as he recovered
his consciousness had him secured,
thinking he might prove useful as
hostage
He was splendid. looking fellow, of
fine physique aud of much lighter color
than most of the tribe. His face was
painted in several colors and his weapons
were highly ornamented, especially his
'chetoolth' or war-club, which was made
from the bone of q whale, curiously set
with small shells in various designs. His
manner, also, impressed me that he was
no ordinary chief, so, at venture, l
called him 'Maquina, and he at once
replied, haughtily enough for reignlng
prince He.ho'-yes.
$50 Maouina had indeed made me his
nromiscd visit. and he had come with
much people,, to his sorrow.
.tBy the time we had cleared the decks
of the dead and dying, and washed
away some of the traces of the fight, it
was broad daylight, and we could see
that the village was in a state of the
widest excitement, men and women
running about, while the sound OF lam
entations came over tie water to us
plainly.
SAT last n canoe was seen coming off
with two rowcrs and man seated. AS
they approached lie hailed in English,
although he appeared like an Indian:
Captain, have you killed Ma4uina, or is
he perhaps prisoner?'
He is here safe and my prisoner, for
the present; but who are your
~ am John levitt VIII: sent you that
message. If you have the chief you can
exchange him, if you will, for us and
for any other ransom you desire. Shall
l PLAIN to these people
"'lcs.' replied, tell them if they
will send you and your companion off to
me unllarmcd. and any stores of the Bos-
ton they may have remaining, hefore
sun Town. A:aq;ina shall be.gi en- up to
-. l,.,.,.. IL.