The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-26

through his trumpet we heard their
defiance in answer.
When we reached our anchorage it
was nearly dusk. Only one boat
came off to US, and the native who
boarded us acted to me like a man
bent on some errand 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
VINO could talk the lingo. and for
reason of his own he did not let on
that he had encountered the brig or
had II suspicion that anything had
happened. AS sDUn as night came
put the watch under arms. and twice
during the night we heard sounds to
prove tlat we were heing spied upefls
Next morning, however, things as
sumed different look. Several boats
came off, the Captain was invited
ashore. and messenger from Old
Lop said that trade would be good.
We wanted dyewo0ds, roots. barks.
cocoanut kernels, and other products,
and when the Captain landed he had
assurances that we could fill up in a
week. Not native had word to
say about the brig, but the 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,
instead of having fever, and the wo-
men had blackened their thumbs as
they never do except when in mourn
ing.
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. l asked the Cap
tain if it didn't look like plot to
get us in a helpless situation, and he
laughed and replied:
"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 Well get
'em go0d-natured after hit. You've
got charge, and you can point your
guns as sou like"
We pulled the schooner into the
| cove, and for three days the NATIVES
brought US stuff as fast as we could
stow it away. The Captain spent
most of his time ashore, and when
ever he came aboard it was to an.
nounce that the natives were In bet.
ter humor, and that we need not be
appreheusive. Had l not had all the
men with me in my suspicious !
should no doubt have relaxed my
vigilance. Each sailor, however. by
catching on TO this or that, was satis-
fed that danger mcnaced. and was
only too glad to see preparations
made TO meet it. / had the cannon
loaded with whatever would answer
for canister, muskets and cutlasses
kept ready, and would not allow over
ten natives aboard at once. They
had bows and arrows and spears and
clubs, with now and then an old
musket, and each one who came had
to leave all weapons behind. On the
third day saw no less than three OF
them cut a notch on stick to repre-
sent each one of US, and those who
came aboard had a smack of the i'm
pudent in their demeanor.
On the fourth morning not a ma
tive came off to us, and when the
captain went ashore with new stock
of liquor to propitiate Old Lop be
found that it was a holiday with the
people, and that all were excused
from work. He sent me word to lei
all 90 ashore who wished, and when
I made the announcement every
hand was off except one. A fore
mast man named Parker. a steady,
middle-aged man, finding that l was
to stay, asked that he might keep me
company, and we had scarcely been
left alone when he sail 1:
"Mr. Winters, I beg your pardon
for being 50 bold of speech, but
don't like the looks of things
ashore"
"Nor I. either"
81 am glad'sir, that we are agreed,
for I think there'll be throat-cuttine
done before night. 1 haven't been
easy at all since we dropped anchor
here. I've been among the Feejee,
Eonga, Phoenix, Union and other
groups, and these chaps are too saucy
for men who haven't cot a plot on
hand"
"And what do you think of the
holidays"
"All moonshine. sir. 1t is an ex-
..ok oII of oohnrn ThQaQ