Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-01-23

ed water and would hesitate to swim
out TO us.
don't know whose fault ii was that
the yawrs painter, which was made
fast TO the starboard rail amidship.
was not securely fastened. No one
had given it any thought until we
suddenly saw the yawl drive TO the
mango bushes, stern first. There was
no surf in that little bay. and the tide
would have held her there il the apes
had taken no action. The boat was
no sooner within leaping distance
than fifty OF the animals sprang into
it, and as it reached the bushes II
was held there. The screams apd
yells of the apes for the next five min
utes prevented speech. Then, at a
given signal, all but one leaped out OF
the boat. At second signal all
those in sight on shore disappeared,
leaving only the victims Of the traps.
These had ceased their complaints
and become quiet, and now a great
stiffness fell upon the island. | asked
the captain what new move he
thought the beasts intended TO make.
and he replied
Il think we shall have great trouble
with them. II there was breeze
enough to stem this tide should be
in favor OF getting out as soon ds pos
sible. They will board us in the yawl
as soon as the tide turns
pointed TO the fact that there was
only one ape in the boat and that |
could put a bullet through his head
where Ire sat. II one OF the men
could slip over the rail he could swim
to the boat and secure it. This was
looked upon as good idea. One OF
the Borneo men got quietly into the
water ard SWAN for the boat, and
when he was close upon it | fired and
killed the ape in charge. His dying
yell was answered from a thousand
throats. aud in ten seconds the boat
was filled with apes. The sailor had
to return empty handed. 1t was no
use 70 fire upon the beasts, a their
numbers were SO great, and we there
fore renewed our preparations for de
fence. The crew proper told US in SO
many words that they would not lift
hand except TO defend themselves,
as they considered it crime TO Kill
an ape. If the schooner was boarded
then they would be justified in fight
ing.
After a few minutes all the apes
but one again left the boat. The
body of the one had killed was car
ried ashore. The tide would not
turn until o'clock, and we had moth
ing to do but wait and watch. |
made a shell oat OF tin can filled
with powder and bullets, and the fuse
TO thi. was to be lighted by Thomas
when he could heave it into the boat.
We had three loaded guns and re-
volver apiece, and | believe the two
OF us alone could prevent boarding.
The schooner swung bows TO the
shore as soon as the tide turned, and
was now further away by her own
length. We did not hear a sound
from the beasts after they retired.
There were scores OF them watching
us from the bushes, no doubt, but
they did not show themselves. When
the tide began to draw the yawl oil
shore the ape left in charge took a
turn with his tail around a bush and
thus held it,
breeze, and we could have left, but j
wanted the apes in the traps and the
captain wanted his yhwl. As it grew
dark all the crew went below, saying
it was none Of their fight, and one OF
the Borneo sailors declared with
great vigor and much grief that he
had recognized all uncle in the ape !
had killed. Another had seen his
brother and the cook fairly cried at
the thought that his favorite son
who had been dead about five years,
might have turned into all ape and
be waiting TO destroy his affectiOnate
father. Thomas and | remained on
deck to watch, and at eight o'clock
we heard and saw enough 10 prove
that the apes were moving In concert
and in a large body. / tried TO get
the crew up, but they refused 10
come. | had n double barrelled shot
gun, and Thomas was to throw the
shell il they came near enough. The
shore was in such darkness that we
could't see what our enemies were up
to until the boat was suddenly seen
floating along our port bow. ] fired
into the black mass, and Thomas
lighted the fuse and beaved the shell,
but in his excitemenut he missed the
boat
From the splashing in the water !
knew that large numbers OF the apes
SWAIN OF. had scarcely fred when
three or four appeared on the bows,
and the next moment they boarded
from every quarter Their scream
ing and ehattering were terrific, and
and We no sooner saw the first half
dozen aboard than we made a rush
for the cabin. From that moment
we were besieged and by an enemy
such as never captured a sailing craft
before.
The crew were willing enough 10
fight now. realizing the danger. We
were altogether in the little cabin
and all armed, but the question was
what todo. The apes raced up and