The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-01-30


they wanted nothing of us. In three or
four cases where the Captain bawled at
them 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 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 who could talk the
lingo, and for reasons of his own he did
not let on that he had encountered the
brig or had q suspicion that anything
had happened. AS soon as night came /
put the watch under arms, and twice
during the night we heard sounds to
prove that we were being sped upon
Next morning, however, things assumed
n different look. Several boats came oil,
the Captain was invited ashore, and a
messenger from Old Lop said that trade
would be good. We wanted dyewoods,
roots, barks, cocoanut kernels, and other
products, and when the Captain landed
he had assurances that we could fill ND
in a week. Not native had q word to
say about the brig, but the Captain coon
saw broken heads enough to satisfy him
that there had been a row. Old Lop had
been knocked silly by blow from
capstan bar, instead of having fever, and
the women had blackened their thumbs
as they never do except when in mourn
ing.
We lay at anchor quarter of 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 Captain if it didn't look like
plot to get us in helpless situation,
and he laughed and replied:
"The row with the brig will last
these fellows for 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 d-natured
after bit. You've got charge, and you
can point your guns as you 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 whenever he came
aboard it was to announce that the ma
tives were in better humor, and that we
need not be apprehensive. Had not had
all the men with me in my suspicious |
should no doubt have relaxed my vigil
ance. Each sailor, however, by catch
ing on to this or that, was satisfied that
danger menaced, and was only too glad
TO see preparations made to meet it. l
had the cannon loaded with whatever
would answer for canister, muskets and
cutlasses kept ready, and would not al
low 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 10
leave all weapons behind. On the third
day saw no less than three of them cut
notch on a stick to represent each one
of us, and those who came aboard had
smack of the impudent in their de-
meanor
On the fourth morning not a native
came off to u.s. and when the Captain
went ashore with new stock of LIQUOR
to propitiate Old Lop he found that it
was a holiday with the people, and that
all were excused from work. lie sent
me word to let all go ashore who wished,
and when / made the announcement
every hand was off except one. A fore.
mast man named Parker, a steady, mid
dle-aged man, finding that l was to stay,
asked that he might keep me 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 lnalyS nf tbincrc ochora
"Nor /, either"
81 am glad, sir, that we are agreed,
for l 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,
Ph rnix, Union and other groups, and
these chaps are too saucy for men who
haven't got plot on hand"
"And what do you think of the holi-
dayl'
"All moonshine, sir 1t is an excuse
to get all of us ashore. These natives
have holiday every day in the year,
so far as that goes. 1t isn't for the likes
Of me to give you advice, but l think we
should get ready for row."
thought so, too. We took the cover
Oif the mainsail and hoisted it part way
up, ran up the jib, uncovered the fore
sail, and acted as two men might who
we're caring for a craft at anchor. We
ay headed toward the channel, as the
ide was running in, and had only
enough chain out to let her swing. We
1verhauled the cable, and fixed it for
dipping, got the cannon aft, where it
,ould have a raking fire, and were then
Is readyas we two men could be. Ashore
III was hilarity and confusion, with
natives marching up and down, and
'eating their drums and blowing their
lorns. We had made the preparations
poken of, when the Captain sent one of
he men of to us TO tell us to come
lshoIe, as everybody was having a good
inc. Iquestioned the messenger closely,
'ut he had seen nothing suspicious. / |,
sent word that we might come soon, (
,ut did not intend to move a foot. Two
lours passed, and we had remarked that
he tide had just turned, when old Lop
ent us pressing invitation, backed by
second message from the CAPTAIN.
The sailor had been aloft with the glass,
nd on coming down reported that our Z
len were aching as if drunk, and that
very native appeared 10 be armed.
ent word back that would not leave
he schooner, and half an hour later
he expected climax came. We heard a
.eneral bowling and shouting, and !
'arker, who was again aloft, hurried
pWn fo roporf that ba he a eoos J