St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-02-23

had INDUCED in more than one chuckle
over my efforts. There were three
or four rulers distributed about the
group. but the head man recognized BY
traders was known by the title OF .'Old
Lop." His left shoulder was badly
down. and he was old and skinny. In
stead of being called lop-shouldered.
the sailors gave him the briefer and
more expressive nickname OF .1Old
Lop." He lived on an island known 10
US in those days rs the Horseshoe, and
this was about the center of the group.
There were safe channels among the
isles. and craft lying of the Horse
shoe was perfectly sheltered in any
sort Of weather. We were a whole day
making our way down through the
channels. and it struck me as very
curious that all the native boats kept
well out of hail. We sighted score
or more OF them. but they wanted
nothing of us. In three or four cases
where the Captain bawled at them
through his trumpet we heard their de-
| fiancc in answer.
When we reached our anchorage it
was nearly dusk. Only one boat came
of to us. and the native who boarded
us acted to me like a man bent on some
GRAND OF mischief He said that trade
was dull and Old Lop sick of fever, but
that he would see on the morrow what
could be done. Our captain was the
| only one aboard who could talk the
lingo. and for reasons of his own he did
not lot on that he had encountered the
brig or had suspicion that any thing
had happened. As soon as night came
i put the watch under arms. and twice
during the night we heard sounds to
prove that we were being spicd upon.
Next morning. however. things assumed
a different look. Several boats came
of, the captain was invited ashore, and
a messenger from Old Lop said that
trade would be good. We wanted dye
woods, roots. banks, cOcoanut kernels,
and other products, and when tho cap
tain landed he had assurances that we
could fill up in q week. Not a native
had word to say about the brig. but
tho captain soon saw broken heads
enough to satisfy him that there had
been a row. Old Lop had been knocked
silly BY blow from a capstan bar. in
stead of having fever. and the women
had blackened their thumbs. as they
never do except when in mourning.
We lay at anchor a quarter Of a mile
from the beach, and when the captain
returned he gave orders to have the
schooner taken into little cove within
biscuit throw OF the sand. The natives
had complained that it was too much
work to pull the cargo out to us asked
the captain il it didn't look like a plot
to get us in helpless situation, and he
laughed and replied:
1.-The row with the brig will last
these fellows for a good while yet
They don't seem to cry for me as they
did when here before, but there's plenty
of trade. and we'll get 'em good-natured
after bit. You've got charge. and you
can point your guns rs you like"
We pulled the schooner into the cove.
and for three days the natives brought
us stuff as fast as We could stow il away.
The captain spent most OF his time
ashore, and whenever he came aboard
it was to announce that the natives
were in better humor. and that We need
not be apprehensive. Had not had
al the men with me In my suspicious
should no doubt have relaxed my vigil
lance. Each sailor, however, by CATCH
ing on to this or that, was satisfied that
danger menaced. and were only too
glad to see preparations made to meet
it had the cannon loaded with what
ever would answer for canister. mus
kcts and cutlasscs kept ready, and
would not allow over ten natives aboard
1T once. They had bows and arrows
and spears and clubs. with now and
then an old musket. and each ono who
came had to leave all weapons behind.
On the third day saw no less than
three Of them cut notch on stick to
represent each one of US. and those who
came aboard had a smack OF the impu-
NcIit All tuCir ucuOSUUOT.
On the fourth morning not a native
came of to us, and when the captain
went ashore with new stock Of liquor
to propitiatc Cd Lop he found that i:
was holiday with the people. and that
all were excused from work. lie sent
me word to let all 60 ashore who wish
cd. and when / made the announce
mcnt every hand was of except one. A
foremost man named Parker, a steady, |
middle-aged man, finding that was to
stay, asked that he might keep inc
company. and we had scarcely been
left alone when he said:
Mr.. Winters. beg your pardon for |
being SO bold Of speech, but don't |
like the look Of things ashore"
Nor /, either"
Il am glad, sir. that We are agreed,
for think there'll be throat-cutting |
done before night haven't been easy
at all since We dropped anchor here.
I've been among the Feejee. Tonga,
Phoenix. Union and other groups. and |
these niggers are too saucy for mon |
who haven't got plot on hand"
And what do you think Of the holi-
day?'
"All moonshine, sir. 1t is an excuse
10 get all OF US on shore. These mig.
gers have a holiday every day in the
rear. SO far as that goes. It isnt for
he likes OF me to give you advice. but
think We should get ready for row."
l thought SO. too. We took the cover