Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-04-19

that was going on. hadn't been on
the raft two minutes when she was
backed away from the schooner. and
as she moved dose of canister from
one of the guns killed five or six
natives, who stood over and just be-
hind me. Again. after we were con-
cealed by the fog. another discharge
tore off a corner of the raft and killed
two more men. l could hear the shouts
and cheers of my shipmates. and I
knew we were one of the last parties
to withdraw from the attack. The
schooner had come out of it very hand
somely, having, as | soon learned, in
fiicted terrible damage on the pirates.
After getting away from the vessel
we were joined by boats and RATS car
rying nearly hundred men. and a
good third of these were wounded. All
made for the entrance of the bay, and
it was only when out of cannon shot
that the fury of the pirates over their
bloody repulse broke loose. My pres
encc seemed to be forgotten for the
time, and it was lucky for me that such
was the case. There were several fights
among the survivors on our raft, and
it appeared that all those in authority
had been killed.
In about an hour after getting out of
the bay. and all the time progressing
slowly to the north under paddle, we
ran into the mouth of creek and
landed in village. the Inhabitants of
which were awake and alert. My feet
were united and l was roughly jerked
| to standing position, and when it be-
came known through the village that a
prisoner had been taken the excite
ment increased to fever heat. But for
Il very old man, who was probably a
superannuated chief, l should have
been cut to shreds at the first rush.
Every body but this old man seemed to
have an insane desire to kill me. and
why he should try to prevent them was
Il mystery to me. However, by voice
and arm he kept them off until cooled
down, and then made them speech.
After that l was conducted 20 4 hut,
and guards were placed ut the open
Jag.
Next morning it was made plain to
me why my life was spared the night
before. An hour after daylight stout
crotched limb was driven into the
ground few yards in front of my hut.
Then Il long, stout pole was laid in the
crotch. 1t worked exactly like an old
fashioned well sweep, but instead of
the bucket they were to use my body.
Fuel was gathered and ilre kindled,
and 1 figured it out that the men at
bn oil Of fIo
were to hold me suspended over the
flame, taking due care that my suffer-
ings were drawn out. as long rs posi-
BILE. When came to see the villagers
by daylight had no hope whatever of
my life being spared. They were not
only the most villainous lot white
man ever saw collected together, but
many of those who returned from the
attack were grievously wounded and
bent on vengeance.
1t was about two hours after day
break that was pulled out of the hut
and roughly jerked along toward the
fire. Every man, woman and child in
the village was in the circle around
me. and the benign old man of the
night before now licked his chops like
a hungry tiger, and approached to give
directions. My hands were united. and
two natives helped me off with my
clothes. AS my shirt came off the old
man, who stood IN front of me. flung
up his hands and cried: Gonna! On
nap at the same time pointing to the
mark on my breast. His exclamation
was taken up by others, and five or six
of the oldest men came forward to in
spect the mark. A minute later they
signed to me to resume my clothing,
and l was taken to the old man s hut,
and a hearty breakfast was given me.
He not only smiled at me as soft as
molasses. but patted me on the back
many times. After [ had eaten was
taken out on the open ground, and ev-
cry person in the village filed past and
touched one of my hands. Then every
wounded man came and touched my
shirt over the mark, and was asked
by signs to remain in the village and
become Il head man. / replied in the
negative, adding that l desired to re-
turn to the schooner right away. There
was kindly attempt to induce me to
remain, and when it was seen that |
would not, l was conducted through
the woods by an easy path to the bay.
got farewell all around. and was then
padded off to the schooner by single
native in Il canoe. | do not know to
this day the significance of those queer
marks in India ink, but suspect they
relate to some Indian superstition. The
awe and the servility of the pirates
could not have been greater had been
Il native king.-N. Y. san.
Afraid of Vampires.
D. y ID 4