San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-12-16

decided TO strike for our rights. We have
been slaves long enough"
The captain was speechless with amaze
ment. 1t had come upon. him 50 suddenly
that he could not collect his wits. AS he.
stood like one bereft of ear and voice Hall
continued:
"As you are part owner yeu belong to
the class which is eating out our lives. We
have no use for you. Men, get the gig
ready. Now, then, Mr.. Refer, are you
with us or no?"
do you mean that you have taken pos
session of the ship?p Iiasked
Exactly"
'And what is your programmed"
Eve have shaved for the company long
enough. We will now go into business on
our own account"
'How?"
Eve have been, robbed; we will rob
others.
At this the crew set up a loud cheer, and
it was evident that they were with him to
a man. 1t was, mo- time for argument--to
point out inconsistencies. They had COM
planned of being oppressed; they now
proposed to Cypress Others. They had COM
planet that ahe company was piling up
money through the wear and tear of their
bone and sinew; they now proposed to rob
by force of arms. They had complained
that the company was too rich; they now
proposed 10 amass all possible wealth.
They had declared that all property should
be held IN common; they now proposed
TO dispoSsess all holders not strong enough
to beat them off.
Suppose | refuse to join your" asked.
'Then you will be set afoat with the
captain"
Il prefer that to piracy"
Very well; you have made your own
choice. Men, get ready the gig, and put
i'm water and provisions for week. We
don't owe them any grudge."
1t was folly to think of resistance, but
the captain would have his say. He abused
each and every one of them in good, round
English, and predicted that he would be
present when each one dangled at the end
of rope. They simply laughed at him,
and in the course of half an hour we were
set afoat. The gig was furnished with a
sail and pair of oars, ten gallons of wa
ter, a bag of bread, a few cans of meat and
fruit. Each of us was allowed to make up
a bag of clothing, but were refused a com
pass, chart, or anything else which might
aid us in steering course. Both of us
were robbed of our money and watches,
and the captain was even dispossessed of a
finger ring. The men who had struck for
their "rights" had no care for the rights
of others.
1t was about an hour before sunset when
we were cast adrift. We had made good
500 miles to the southwest since leaving
Inv, Mt ha
Indian coast. AS the breeze was from the
east we headed to the south, while the
ship, which had been hanging in the wind
for an hour, stood to the north, her crew
cheering over and over again as she laid
hernew course. 1t was a long half hour
before either one Of us broke the silence.
One event had followed so swiftly upon
the heels of another that it was hard to
realize ali that had occurred. steered
the boat, and the captain sat with his face
in his hands for a long time. Finally he
looked up and around to exclaim:
On such crew! IF they had mu-
TIMED in the regular way, having some
reasonable excuse, shouldn't feel half SO
mean over il. To be beaten out of my ship
by hair Drained fool of mate, and that
by talk alone, makes we want to kick my
self"
"We stand good show to be picked up"
suggested.
"Yes, fairly good, but as soon as the
wind will allow want TO head to the south
east We are not over 200 miles from the
Malabar islands"
The Malabar group extends for 500 miles
along the coast, and comprises such large
islands as Lakadivh, Aucutta, Ninikoi and
Horsburg. Then begins the Maedivh group,
and extends for another 800 miles, many of
the islands being thirty, forty and fifty
miles in length, with straits or channels
between them. But few of them were in
habited at that time, and those only by
fishermen and shell hunters
In IN hour the ship was lost to our view.
minded the boat for the first half Of the
night, steering by the stars and the feel of
the breeze, and then turned In while the
captain stood watch. As the sun came up
next morning the wind hauled TO the west
and became fresh, and while we had TO look
sharply after the boat, she few ahead at a
pace which gave us an extraordinary run
for the day. Only one sail was sighted,
and that was too far away TO give us any
hope The captain had the watch from 8
to l2, and had been on about an hour
when heard the roar of breakers. and
knew that our run was fin ished
Having aroused the capta ain, we decided
to stand OFF and on until daylight appeared.
and when it came he recognized the island
before us as that of Aueutta, the next
largest of the Malabar group. We had
made safe landing before sunrise, and
when we had eaten breakfast we start
ed out together to investigate. We walked
up the southern shore about ten miles and
back without finding any trace of in
hahitants. After dinner we headed TO the