Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-07-27
A Romantic Story of Shipwreck.
Captivity and Suffering.
CAST AMONG BARBAROUs sAvAGEs.
Horace Holden Subjected to Unheard Of
Suferings Among the BarbarOus
Pelew Islanders.
CHAPTER Y.

iOb ndu Dtth Ndbtj httihCu ~ III
portant that we should be tattooed,
and we were compelled TO submit
to the distressing operation. We
expostulated against tive en-
trcated--we begged to be spared this
additional offliction; but our en-
treaties were of no use. Those
savages were not to be moved and we
were compelled to submit. We were
securely bound down to the ground,
and there held fast by our tormen-
tors. They then proceeded to draw
with sharp stick the figures de-
signed to be imprinted OH the skin.
This done, the skin was thickly
punctured with little instrument
made Of sharpened fish bones, and
somewhat resembling carpenters
adj in miniature, but having teeth
instead Of a smooth, sharp edge.
This instrument was held within an
inch or two of the flesh, and struck
into it rapidly with piece of wood,
applied to IL i'm such a manner as to
cause it to rebound at every stroke.
In this way our breasts and arms
were prepared, and subsequently
the ink, which was made of vege-
table found on the island, was ap-
piled. The operation caused such
an inflammation Of our bodies, that
only portion could be done at one
time; and as soon as the inflamma-
ton abated another portion was
done as fast as we could bear it, till
our bodies were covered. 1t was eff
fectually done; for to this day the
figures remain as distinct as they
were when first imprinted, and the
marks will be carried by us to tn,
grave. They were exceedingly anx-
ious to perform the operation on our
faces; but this We would not submit
o,telling them that sooner than have
1t done we would die In resisting
them. Among themselves, the old
est people had the greatest quantity
OF tattooing, and the younger class
less. Besides the operation of tat
tooing, they compelled us to pluck
the hair from different parts of the
body, and to pluck our boards about
every ten days, which was extreme
ly painful; and ut every successive
operation the beard grew out harder
and sitter.
About seventeen days after the
captain and Rollins left, we saw Il
vessel to the windward, but the ma
tlves did not attempt to visit it. Five
months afterwards another came in
sight, and remained for three days
near the island. At one time We
could distinctly see the men on
board; but we we were held on
shore and closely guarded, Several
canoes visited the ship and brought
back n few pieces of IRON, fish hooks
glass bottles, etc. We tried, but in
vain, to escape. II seemed to us
that we were doomed To remain on
that dreary spot, To wear out our re
naming strength in hopeless bond
age, and to submit To the control o
brutal masters, whose tender mercies
were crueltles.
Death, In any form, would have
been II relief, and often did we SEE
moments when IL would have beer
welcomed as the best of friends! Il,
some of our companions IL did come
though dreadful In the manner, YET
IA u not unwelcome alternative
About year after we first arrived
at the island, William Sedon becam,
80 reduced as 10 deprive us of al
hopes OF his recovery, He looked
| like n skeleton; and, AT last was :,
entirely exhausted by hunger, as Il
be unable tn walk, or even 10 ris,
from the ground. lie continued
however, 10 crawl nom place Il
place, until all his remaining
strength had nearly gone, when tn,
iuhumau monsters placed him In
an old canoe, and sent him adrift on
the ocean! Gladly would his un
happy shipmates have extended I,
him the last sad offices of friendship
but that poor consolation was de-
MED both him and us. My heart
blecds at the pcollection OF our sep.
aration aud his melancholy fate
when We saw him anxiously turn
his lauguid eyes towerd those who
were doomed To still linger on The
borders OF the grave! Our sighs
We're brathed almost In silence, aud
our tears were shed in vain!
IL may be observed here; that Il il
not their custom % deposit the bod
les II any of their dead IN the earth.
except very young childnn III,
bodie, II grown people, amer death,
ane laid In "a canoe aud committed IL
the ocean. IL Was soou our lot a.
...gsl .ar ~ ann .....as....