The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-01-04

| or four rulers distributed about the
group, but the head man recognized by
traders was known by the title of ''Old
Lop." His left shoulder was badly
down, and he was old and skinny. In.
stead of being called lop-shouldered,
the sailors gave him the briefer and
more expressive nickname of ''Old
| Lop." He lived on an island known &c
Us in those days as the Horseshoe, and
this was about the center of the group.
| There were safe channels among the
isles, and a craft lying off the Horse.
shoe was perfectly sheltered in any
sort of weather. We were a whole day
making our way down through the
channels, and it struck me as very
curious that all the native boats kept
well out of hail. We sighted score
or more of them, but they wanted
where the Captain bawled at them
through his trumpet we heard their de-
fiance 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 a 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 a suspicion that any thing
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 spied upon.
Next morning. however, things assumed
a different look. Several boats came
off, the captain was invited ashore. and
a messenger from Old Iop said that
trade would be good. We wanted dye
woods, roots, banks, cocoanut kernels,
and other products, and when the cap
tain landed he had assurances that we
could fill up in a week. Not native
had a word to say about the brig, but
the captain soon saw broken heads
enough to satisfy him that there had
been a row. Old Lop had been knocked
silly by blow from capstan bar, in
stead of having fever. and the women
had blackened their thumbs, as they
never do except when in mourning.
We lay at anchor quarter of a 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 a 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 plenty
of trade, and we'll get 'em good-natured
after a 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 il away.
The captain spent most OF his time
ashore, and whenever he came aboard
it was to announce that the natives
were in better humor, and that we need
not be apprehensive. Had l not had
all the men with me in my suspicious /
should no doubt have relaxed my vigil
lance. Each sailor, however, by catch
ing on to this or that. was satisfied that
danger menaced, and were only too
glad to see preparations made to meet
it. / had the cannon loaded with what
ever would answer for canister, mus
kets and cutlasses kept ready, and
would not allow 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 to leave all weapons behind.
On the third day | saw no less than
three of them cut notch on stick to
represent each one of us, and those who
came aboard had a smack of the impu-
dent in their demeanor.
On the fourth morning not a native
came off to us, and when the captain
went ashore with a new stock of liquor
to propitiate Old Lop he found that it
was holiday with the people, and that
all were excused from work. He sent
me word to let all go ashore who wish
ed, and when | made the announce
ment every hand was off except one. A
foremost man named Parker, steady,
middle-aged man, finding that | was to
stay, asked that he might keep me
company, and we had scarcely been
left alone when he said:
MIR Winters, l beg your pardon for
being so bold of speech, but don't
like the look of things ashore"
Nor l, either"
Il am glad, sir, that we are agreed,
for think there'lI be throat-cutting
done before night. haven't been easy
at all since we dropped anchor here.
I've been among the Feeiee, Tonga,
Phoenix, Union and other groups, and
these niggers are too saucy for men
who haven't got plot on hand"
And what do you think OF the holt
day?'
'.All moonshine, sir. 1t is an excuse
to get all of us on shore. These mig
gers have a 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 a row. y
thought so. too. We took the cover
of the mainsail and hoisted it part way
up. ran up the jib, uncovered the fore
sail. and acted as two men might who