The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-13


Forward or simply retreat with their
bootyl'' was the question that was upper
| most in our minds; but our suspense was
TO he of short duration. Theft movements
could now be easily distinguished, and
while the proas that appeared to be deeply
laden with plumber were hosting theft sails
and starting in the direction of a small islet
about ten miles distant, the remainder, six
in number, were collected in group appar
emily that their occupants might consult to-
gether. A few minutes later the Malays,
by whom the paroS were crowded, were
seen to lower the long yards to which tho
sails were attached, place the sweeps in
position for rowing and then slowly at first
but with increasing speed as thoy advanced
they came out to meet us.
We were now but half a mile distant
from the shoal, and the call of the leadsman,
''By the mark seven," delivered in the sing
| song tones peculiar to that occupation, was
heard. To approach less depth Of water
| than seven fathoms could not be done with
safety, and the course of the ship was at
once changed to south, by which movement
also the proas were made to bear abea n
where the fire of our guns could be direLS
| cd upon them,
1t was evident that they were about to
attack US, and in a few moments cur fate
would be decided: The crowded condition
! of the proas, the occasional glitter of wea-
pons in tho sunlight and the excited ap-
J pearance of the Malays, convinced US that
they were coming en- no errand of peace
| and good will. 1t was a moment to try the
nerves of the bravest of our men, and well
4 A. 10 tn1 hyyf no
bulwarks, behind which we had been di-
reeted TO remain, from any shots that might
be fired at the ship, and with our arms
ready for use, we waited the orders of Cap
tain Seabree-e.
The proas were rapidly approaching,
driven 10 their highest speed by the strong
arms Of the rowers. They were soon seen
to separate into two groups, one of which
was directed towards the brow of the For
ward, and the other towards the stern 1t
was evident that they had planned to divide
our small force by attacking US at two
different points, and once gaining the deck
they would be able TO overpower the crew
by their greater numbers; that plan we
must at all hazards prevent and our only
hope was in being able at the first fire. to
inflict such injury upon the boats as TO
check their progress and prevent them from
reaching the ship Whether the success of
the Malays i'll capturing the barqte had
made them over confident or that they
hoped to intimidate us by the noise Of fire.
arms and so reach our deck without 0ppo-
sition, am unable to determine, but at tn s
moment at a distance of one hundred yards,
when further delay on our part i'll attempt
ing to check their progress seemed fatal TO
our sue cess, a scattering fire with muskets
and small swivels was commenced, but
with such inaccurate aim that the greater
part Of the balls either fell short into the
water Or whist ed Earmlessly overhead. A
few only struck the ships side, here and
there rope cut in twain, or hole in one
of the sails showed the track of the bullets,
and one ball passing through the rail,
wounded one of the crew, but its force was
spent and the wound was not serious This
discharge Of firearms was followed by the
yells of the pirates as they prepared to
board the Forward.
Our time for action had arrived. "Run
out the gun Aim at the nearest proas ~
shouted Captain Seabraeze. "Firci" and the
report Of the two nine Founders fang out
over Jue WaUcT.
As the smok. a tho discharge drifted
slowly away before thu wind the results OF
our fire were plainly seen. The leading
proas of each group had been struck by the
contents of the guns. The troken sweeps
trailing alongside the wounded men strug-
Cling in the water, and their screams, not
now of defiance, but of pain, indicated tho
accuracy Of the aim.
/ The remaining proas were checked ~
their advance as the Malays saw the fate
of their companions. Had they dashed
forward and reached the ship our fate
would have been sealed; but, hesitating for
moment whether to advance or retreat,
they remained exposed 10 another fire from
the ship Tie fire from muskets and PTS
tolls was then directed upon them, and the
J nine FOUNDERS, being quickly reloaded with
grape were again directed upon the groups
Of proas and their living freight. The
Malays did not wait for another discharge,
but turned the bows Of their boats i'll the
direction of the islands, and with sails and
oars increased their distance from the
Forward as fest as their disabled condition
would permit, leaving three of the number
In sinking state and many of their occu
pants killed and wounded
No words of mine can describe our feel
ings upon seeing the retreat of the Malays
They can better be imagined than described
Cheers upon cheers were given by the
crew, and their pent-up feelings now gave
vent in q hundred different ways.
Mrs Seabreeze had remained on decl
during all the scenes that have described
although entreated by her husband to go u
the cabin as place of greater safety, ano
it was she who first saw signs of life OF
board the barque. Our attention had beer
so fully occupied during the preceding hal
hour that but little notice had been taker
of that vessel; but now an exclamation
from Mrs Seabreezc caused all eyes to TURF
in that direction.
"Lookr' she exclaimed, ''some one j:
waving handkerchief on board the
barque."
"Thank God our work has not been il
vain.".
Yes; the form of woman, standing a
the stern of the barque was in full view
and the flag which until then had been tt
us only a signal of distress, was being
lowered and hoisted as a sign Of welcome
Our labor was but half accomplished
Whatever aid was to be given to the barqut
in extricating her from her periloas situa
tion must be given at once, as delay OF
few hours might bring larger force o
Malays upon us. The course of the For
ward was accordingly changed towards the
shoal and having approached as near a!
was thought safe, the ship was anchored
and boat lowered, in which Captain Sea
breeze, six of the crew and myself prepared
to visit the barque. 1t required but few
moments to reach her and mount to hel
deck, where scene met our eyes which
pray may never again be forced to lool
upon. It indicated the desperate hand to
hand struggle that had taken place between
the crew and the Malays before the latte
had succeeded in gaining possession, ant
several of the dead on both sides were
lying on the deck where they had fallen
The matches had been removed and some o
the cargo taken out, but the pirates seemed
to have made little progress in their worl
of plumber at the time they were surprised
by cur appearance. A woman whose fac
indicated the suffering from terror ant
anxiety through which she had passed wa
the sole living occupant Of the deck. w
eagerly inquired If any others Of the crew
f. ~l.x r,I.< 1eAf 61a