Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-11-21

hempen cable, and she had drlfted out
with the tide. She must have been
mile off shore when I awoke, for they
now proceeded to get her head around
and give her sail. In about an hour the
leader Of the gang approached me and
cast off my bonds, and motioned me into
fo'castle. was glad enough to 60, for
was In terrible fright. had seen
Malays about Batavia often enough, but
had been told that the real residents
of Borneo were q cruel and savage loi,
and that an Englishman unfortunate
enough to fall into their hands could
hope for no mercy.
There was a fine and favorable breeze,
and the fellows on deck knew how to
handle the craft. She was kept going
all night, and so fiustered was 1 that my
eyes did not shut for minute. About 8
o'clock in the morning we ran into har-
Dor on the south side of the island of
Laut, which is on the southeast coast of
Borneo, and separated from the mainland
by narrow channel. As the anchor
went down I was ordered on deck. We
were in land-iocked harbor, and not
over 100 feet off the beach. Right OPP
posite was large village, and several
hundred people had rushed down to the
shore to yell and cheer. A dozen SAM
pans were soon alongside, and into one
of these | was placed and taken ashore.
A white man was no great curiosity to
tie natives, even at that day, and I was
scarcely noticed as l was conducted
through the crowd to hut in the centre
of the village. There was only a mat
hanging at the door, but they well knew
that no guard was needed to keep me
there.
It was noon before they gave me any
thing to eat or drink, and then [ was
told that might walk about the village
if desired. I didn't care to take ad-
vantage of the offer, but sat IN the door
of my hut and saw them haul the schooner
ashore and land her cargo. There were
over two hundred men engaged about her.
While some broke out the cargo, others
went stripping her of sails and cordage.
Before dark there was nothing left but
bare hull and two masts. The bowsprit
and topgallant masts were sent ashore,
and everything was taken out except the
ballast. | don't think they left foot of
rope or chain, and every board or beam
they could get at was taken away. The
last thing was cutting away the masts.
Soon after they went overheard the hull
f1oated off the sand, and they then towed
her out of the bay and scuttled her.
AS fast as the cargo was lanoed it was
taken to two large storehouses in the
Of ha vii ho1
tain arrived at shutdown in pursuit of his
craft he would have found nothing what
ever on the beach to tell him what had
occurred. About dark a woman brought
me food and drink, and seeing that I
was IN pain with my foot she brought
brought water and washed it and then
bound it up with some bruised leaves of
soothing nature. She quite won my
heart by her kindness, and I was led to
hope that my lot might not be so wretched
after all. As far as [ could see no guard
was placed at the door, nor was any one
appointed to watch me. There were as
many as fifty sampans on the beach in
plain view, and one nights padding to
the south would have brought me to an
island. They reasoned correctly, how
ever. I did not have the nerve to risk it.
4 boy at sea in a canoe without food,
water or compass would be as badly off
as among the Malays on shore.
Next morning, after breakfast, the
head man sent for me. He was a chap
of great dignity and evil look, but the
capture of the schooner had put him in
good humor. He asked me where she
belonged, how long she had been cut,
and many other questions, by which he
sought to ascertain what sort of an in
vestigation might follow. He examined
my foot, which was now almost well, and
then called in an attendant, who conduct
ed me to the storehouses. The hoes,
axes and hatchets were without handles,
and I was now given to understand that
must go to work and fit them up. l
wasn't much of a mechanic, but was
pleased enough with the job. I over
hauled the carpenters chest for tools,
and then started into the forest to search
for timber. A dozen or more half-grOwn
boys followed nae, and while some of
them were inclined to play me tricks to
get up laugh, they offered me no vio-
lence. Indeed, at the end of half all
hour we were all on friendly footing. I
found tree which is called "back va"
in Borneo, but which has the grain and
fibre of English elm. There was one axe
with handle, we having used it On
shipboard. This I had brought along,
aud I now proceeded to fell the tree,
which was about foot thick and very
straight and tall The bows were aston