Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-25

Her only recourse was to stand to the
southwest, heading directly for US. or to
fall off and run dead to the west. We all
looked to see her head into the wind and
wait to be boarded, hut the rascal had not
thought of 1t. She suddenly shifted her
course to the west, and hoping to cut her
on, we shifted ours north. Each was now
the leg of a triangle. 1t was plain from
| the start that we should be within cables
leI 9Th of her at the meeting point. even
if we did not cut her eff She would have
| shore on one side and us on the other
EACH CRAFT HAD ALL SET SAIL.
| When within three miles of the bank
we hred gun for ner to heave to. but
not the slightest notice was taken of it.
| Our two pieces of ordnance was then shift
ed over to the starboard side and loaded
with solid shot, If the rascals refused to
surrender they must take the conse-
quences. Each craft held dead to its
course, but again the bark proved her
better sailing qualities. Instead of cut
ting her off as we hoped for we were still
a quarter of a mile away when she passed
the point. The three Portuguese were
shouting and cheering, while the white
man was at the wheel. Orders were
given to fire and two solid shots went
whizzing at her, but to pass over her
without damage. We.theD fell into her
wake and could not bring gun to bear.
and we had the further modification to
see her walking away from u.s. The Portu-
gYese ran up the American flag and dipp-
ed 1t three times, and our crew fairly
danced in their, indignation. The only
thing we could do was to follow her. but
we lost her ear Y that evening and were all
at sea again as TO where we should set
eyes on her again.
Three days later, having had only light
breezes, we raised Enderbury island, which
is the eastermOst island of the Phoenix
| group. The wind had been fair for the
bark to lay this course, and this group also
offered the pirates a good refuge and d
beautiful climate. Weapproached it from
the west, and in to within two miles of
the beach and then worked slowly along
the southern shore. The charts showed
no haven OF refuge on either the south or
west shore, but located bay on the north.
We hoped to trap them if they were there
by making a circuit of the island and COM
ing upon them from different direction
unexpected. AS the breeze was light, we
were all day working down the south coast,
and as the sun went down we anchored in
forty feet of water off the reef
| Next day we had to work up the west
shore against head wind, and night
came on again before we had fairly turned
the corner and headed to the east. We
came to anchor again, but such was the
Impotence of Mate Cummings and his
men that they set off in their whaeboat
to explore the coast in advance Ten
miles to the east they found the boat
anchored in the bay laid down on the
chart. She was within 200 feet of the
beech, her sails furlcd and slowed, and was
heard of before she was seen. The Portu-
guese were drunk, as they were singing
and shouting so they could be heard half a
mile away.
The mate should have returned and re-
ported the case, but he did not He be-
lleved his party strong enough to recap
ture his craft, and he therefore pulled
down to make the attempt. He did not
surprise the pirates, as he hoped to do,
and when he attempted to board was
driven back to his boat in great disorder,
nearly every man being hurt by blows of
| capstan bars. 1t was nearly daylight be-
fore the boat returned to the brig, and as it
was perfect calm we decided to wait I'M
| til daylight before making any further
move. AS day dawned there was every
prospect Of continuance of the calm, and
two boats, each containing eight armed
men were dispatched to get possession of
the bark. Our first mate had charge of
one and Cummings of the other, and |
was in the first boat. Our instructions
were to board at any sacrifice, but to spare
the pirates for the gallows if possible.
After row of two hours we came to
the entrance Of the bay, and there was
the bark before us. She had a snug an
corage, and everything aloft was as tidy
as you please. She wasn't over half
mile away, as it was not deep bay, and
we were no sooner In sight than we heard
cheer from her decks, followed by the
boom of a cannon and the sound of round
shot over our heads. In rummaging The
vessel the men had discovered an old six
pound cannon which had laid in the hold
for many years. This they had hoisted
out, loaded with shot intended for the
feet of dead man, and fired from a car
riage so poorly constructed that the gun
dismouuted self The bark lay stern to-
ward US, as the tide was running out,
and we pulled to board her on either
bow.
Captain and mate had both left revolv-
ers aboard, and these were now used by
two of the pirates. While we were
sweeping up they killed two men and
wounded a third. and fourth man was
wounded as we boarded The Portuguese
ran to the cabin for shelter. and we found
the white sailor dead at the foot of the
mainmast, they having dubbed him to
death the night before. While we were
planning to attack them in the cabin,
they dropped from the windows to swim
ashore. Luckily the alarm was raised in
time for the boats to overhaul them, but
one resisted so desperately that he had to
be killed.
The other two were brought aboard and
made secure, and about noon the brig
came down. They were transferred to
her, and that evening, while in the cabin
to be questioned, one Of them attacked the
captain and was shot by the second mate,
who had them in charge. A week later
the other committed suicide, and thus the
villains were got rid of without trial or ex
pense. We aided the bark to navigate
down to Samoa, and there the British
counsel took her in charge and planned
her future movements.
Stanley's Personal Appearance.
The general impression about Henry M.
Stanley is that he is large in statue. As
a matter of fact, says the New York Sun,
Mr.. Stanley is short thick-set man, and
coarooly pioty,ro that hoe hoap ptod