Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-08-03
Mr.. H0LDEN'S NARRATIVE.
A Romantic Story of Shipwreck,
Captivity and Suffering.
CAST AMONG BARBAR0US SAyAGES.
Horace Holden Subjected to Unheard Of
Suferings Among the Barbarous
Pelew islanders.
CAST AMONG BARBAROUS SAvAGEs.
CHAPTER XI.

having become so reduced by hi
sufferings as to be unable to hell
himself, was horrible to relate!
placed in a canoe, while still alive
and committed to the mercy of th'
ocean. Thus did one after anothel
Of our companions sink under Tho
weight Of their sufierings, and perish
without any alleviation Of theil
wretcbedness.
Mute and myself, with our friend
Koback, the other Pelew chief, were
all that remained; and we were
constantly expecting that the next
hour would end our existence. The
idea of death, however, had now be-
come familiar, and often did we
desire the release from suffering
which that alone could afford. We
were frequently SO reduced as to be
unable to walk, and were forced to
| drag ourselves on our hands and
knees to some place where we could
lie down under the shade of bush,
and take rest. But the small COM
fort to be obtained in this way was
greatly lessened by the annoyance
Of mosquitoes, which could attack
US with impunity in our helpless
and feeble condition. Besides this,
our flesh had so fallen away, that on
lying down, our bones would act
ually pierce through the skin, CIV
ing US the most severe pain. After
we were tattooed, the parts operated
upon were, for long time, running
sores; and when exposed TO the sun,
the pain was excruciating.
1t has been already said, that the
natives were indolent, filthy and
degraded, but the half has not been
told; and some things which we
witnessed cannot be related. The
intercourse of the sexes was unre-
strained by any law, and the de-
cencies of life were almost entirely
neglected. Instead of taking pains
to keep clean, they seemed TO be
not unwilling to have their heads
overrun with vermin; and, how
ever incredible it may seem, it is a
disgusting truth that they are ac-
customed toeat them, and particular
care seems to be taken to keep those
loathsome animals in the heads of
the children. But l forbear any
further particulars.
have already said that only two
Of the crew of the Mentor, namely,
Mute and myself, remained alive,
with the exception of Captain Bar
nard aud Rollins, who had FORUM
ately escaped.
The Pelew chief had become
strongly attached to US, and we take
pleasure In stating the fact that his
faithfulness and affection had greatly
endeared him to us. He seemed
more like brother than a barbaran;
and most gladly would we have
saved him from those suflerings
which, no doubt, soon terminated
his life. Alas! it was not in our
power to administer TO his relief,
and when we last saw him he was
but just alive.
Having thus briefly related the
story Of our captivity and sutferings,
IL only remains to give an account
Of our escape from this barbarous
people. We continued TO survive
the horrible sufierings TO which we
We're constantly subjected, and to
serve our tyrannical masters, In de-
spite Of our agonies Of body and |
mind, Till the beginning of the au-
tumn Of 1884, vt which time we had
become so emaciated, feeble, and
sickly, that We found II impossible
any longer even TO attempt TO labor.
BY this time we had acquired a
sufficient knowledge of their tongue
o converse tluently with the natives,
md We informed our masters, that
,ur feeble condition rendered il in-
possible for us To attempt 10 do any
hing more. We also reasoned the
natter with them, telling them that
ieath was our inevitable
loom, unless We were al
owed to relax our labor; that
{ We died We could be OF no service
q them, but II allowed respite,
md We lived, and could be put on
'oard the first vessel they should
" literally rewarded,
With much difficulty We at
,ngth persuaded our masters 10 al
Nv us lo quit labor, aud obtained
rom them promise to be put on
,url the inst vessel that should
lme TO the island. But at the
anne time they informed us that
We ceased TO work they should
rasc 10 furnish the miserable al
,aAuvs' of coeOanut on which We had