The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-09
KIDNAPPE ED I!
detroit News. ]

Perhaps the strangest adventure /
ever had during my twenty years upon
the sea-" said Capt. Nevins, twas dur
ing the summer of 1858. I was Is years
old at tn time, and was living with my
parents in San Francisco.
"My chief delight in those days was
the study of navigation, of which I never
grew tired. My father, who was mas
ter of that science, being retired sea
captain, took great pains to crafty my
desire for knowledge in that direction,
and in order to afford me a chance to
pursue my studies he made arrange
ments to send me on voyage to Hong
Kong ON the Jeanette.
"The Jeanette was commanded by
Capt. Guy Wentworth, an old friend Of
my father, and as he had always been
kind to me anticipated most pleasant
voyage.
81 was provided with set of naviga-
tors instruments, including a costly
watch, and was to keep reckoning
through the voyage.
Sin addition to the ships crew there
were on board the Jeanette about TWEEN
ty Cinnamon, who had made large sums
of money in the gold fields, and were
returning to their native land to enjoy
their wealth. Their money, which was
nearly all in gold dust and nuggets. was
stored on board the ship.
"Among the sailors ON board the Jean
nette was man by the name of Jack
Peters. He could not have been less
THIN so years of age, tall, raw boned,
with complexion as brown as an au-
tumn leaf. From the very first he
seemed to take a great liking to me, and
seemed greatly interested in my progress
in learning navigation. AT every oppor-
tunity he would engage me in converse
ton, yet could not make up my mind
to like him.
"There was something about the man
that caused me to distrust him, in spite
of his evident disposition to make me
his friend.
"We had been at sea nearly five weeks
when one night, just as I was preparing
to turn in, Peters came to my room and
asked me to go with him. Joe Braddon,
he said, who was taking his turn at the
wheel, wanted to speak to me.
81 thought it an odd request, as had
but slight acquaintance with Braddon,
but followed him, little dreaming of
the startling events that were soon to
take place.
"The night was intensely dark, and
heavy mist hung over the sea. had
not taken a dozen steps after leaving
my room when I was suddenly seized
from behind by strong arms and borne
to the deck. [ was about to make an
outcry, when hand was placed over
my mouth and harsh voice warned me
that if 1 made the least alarm would
be knocked on the head and thrown into
the sea.
'This induced me to remain quiet
while my hands were securely tied be-
hind my back. Then some one took me
from the deck, and slipping over the rail
descended into boat that had been
lowered alongside the vessel. I was
thrust down in the bottom of the boat
and commanded to keep quiet upon peril
of my life.
$50 astonished and bewildered had I
been at the sudden assault that it was
some time before I could realize what
was taking place. I sat there like one
stupefed, huddled down, while dozen
of the sailors descended from the ship
and took their places in the boat, and
the ship swept on her course and was
soon lost to sight in the gloom.
"'What does this mean? l cried, as
soon as dared speak. why have I
been taken from the ship
"'We'll let you know all soon enough
replied the voice of Peters. We've got
use fer we, an if We do the right thing
we'll treat we all fair.
"'An' if he DON'T said one of the
sailors in threatening tone.
We'll feed him ter the sharks fin
ished Peters in calm voice.
"Some of the men now hoisted the sail
and the boat was turned to the north
west. My hands were then unbound, and
was free to move about the boat as I
pleased, but was cautioned to make no
noise in case we were pursued by the
ship. For nearly an hour we continued
our course in silence, then Peters said:
4 reckon thar amt no use in dis
guisin' matters, now that we've got the
boy in our power. The fact is he con-
tinued, addressing me, we've jist re-
ieved the Jeanette NV little Nv her
gold-about 100000, reckon-and we
want yer ter help us git away with it.
The gold all belonged to them heather
Cinnamon, an it didn't look like the fair
thing for them to take it out of the coun-
try where they made it, an we decided
to bring part NV it back-kind Nv an ex-
port duty, you see. Now, if you'll help
us to git to Formosa we'll do the fair
thing by you, an you'll git your part Of
the gold
"I don't want any of it, 1 replied in
dignantly. 4 will not be a party to
your robbing scheme, but I suppose l
can't help myself about assisting you to
get ashore, since l am with you, but
don't think that I would not give you
all over to the authorities if could.
"'Oh, we'll risk that laughed Peters.
Only you pilot us to Formosa and We'll
do the rest. Well see that you don't lose
nothing, and besides we know you've
been wantin' chance to try your skill
at navigatin', and we amt in favor NV
keepin' boy back when he wants to
learn.
"This speech brought hearty laugh
from the sailors.
81 now began to understand the situa-
ton in which 1 was placed. That the
men would have no mercy on me if
failed to do their bidding well knew,
yet felt it my duty to make some at
tempt to thwart their plans. But must
have time to think, and to gain this it
was necessary for me to appear as passive
as possible, not to excite suspicion. As
soon as the r6Abery was discovered !
knew that the Jeanette would double
on her course and try to run down the
robbers, and there might be chance Of
my arresting them if managed matters
rightly, but any attempt to deceive my
captors would be dangerous undertake
ing, and should be discovered would,
IN APPLICABILITY, cost mon life. Know
ing this, I recognized the necessity Of
uzing tho greatest caution m what Ibid.
"rhe night YVES still dazk, with o
heavy mist hanging over theeea aford-
ing an excellent opportunity for fheboat
toecape the vessel. 1t was fully two
hours before Peters would allow even
match to be lit to look at the compass to
ascertain our course. Then the boat
was headed for tie northwest.
The night passed, and when morning