The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-08-30

cries of agony rose from the poor Diaehs-
Then we cave them an answering volley,
and with deadly effect. But reckless OF
danger, they closed up and swept down
upon US in a dense mass.
Our fire raked down the foremost row.
but their onslaught was so fierce that we
fell back toward the river and gained the
shelter of heavy timber, where, from be-
hind trees, we picked off the reckless
Arabs that exposed themselves to our hre-
Encountered with helpless negroes our
situation was desperate.
concluded to retreat still nearer the
creek. for the firing must shortly bring as
sistance from the gunboat. The Portu-
guese were dragged resistingly along ana
soon we reached a comparatively open
space where already the forest began to
slope toward the water.
But the crafty Arabs had stolen
march on us, for as we started to cross the
open, a struggling fire was poured IN on
rs from all sides, and the poor negroes
began to fall thickly. 1t was more than
tbev could stand, and III frantic terror
thew scattered and fed directly into the
midst of their foes. They were lost, l
saw at a glance.
Every second was precious, and we
were about to make dash for the creek
when a hearty cheer rose above the din,
, and up the slope came a file OF marines
led by Lieutenant Osborne, and driving
the Arabs to right and left. We joined
, forces and charged the enemy, VINO lied Il u
confusion, but sad to say bore OH VIII
them half of the negroes.
. We found CASTILLO lying dead with
bullet through his head fired by his owl
= friends but Torres and Zuba were bot
= missing. The Arabs still greatly out
numbered us, and their knowledge OF tn
% ground gave them decided advantage.
We started to march toward the creek
= abandoning the ivory, of course, but tax
l. ing along the bodies of five OF our men
70 and picking up on the way half doze
10 of the terrified natives who had been
hiding.
n A few struggling shots were hred at u
or but we pressed on unheeding.
he Osborne and l were in advance whe
suddenly he lifted his hand.
Listen. y he said. ssWhat e thatf'
cd OFF to our right bushes were cracking
'1y and we could hear voices raised IN ange
~ was sure 1 recognized the sound 81 To
res's voice. We broke through the jung
into an open glade, and found Zuba al
Torres struggling in deadly combat. i
- fore we could reach the spot the enrag'
NEGRO wrested himself from the grasp
e the Portuguese, and drawing his knit
u buried it in the unhappy wretch's breai
he HI, ssee, he cried, springing to his fe'
ii 1T is right he die, when all my people
led betrayi"
- We tried to seize him, but with
Ia he snranp into the forest and disaPpeare
' ' Torres was stone dead; and leavi
him where he lay at the foot Of tr'
- ,vc hurried ON to the creek and reach
he the boats in safety
~ The Arabs must have been in eli
IA IA nursrit. for heavy fire greeted US fr
~ snore as we rowed out to the gunboa
- A few rounds from a small cannon, he
r. g. ever. soon drove the enemy back.
' Before night we were gliding un.
=. full steam down the creek, for my ord
40 were imperative and admitted of no del
"a much as 1 would have liked to punish
, to Arabs.
,.ct The Racer at once organized an ex
'4'A dition to start inland from the coast,
"a was satisfied that a slave station eXIs
~ - in the vicinity. While the preparati
well for this was going on, an Arab dhow
N captured at the very mouth OF Van
=, ! 70 Creek. which, to my surprise, proved
,en. have On board the remnant OF zuI