Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-08-14
TAKEN BY TARTARS.

In 1913 / was SuO-neutcnant IN the
Royal British Navy, serving on Her
Majesty's gunboat Tickler, commanded
by First Lieutenant (now Captain) Charles
Napier. We we're cruising in Chinese
waters, keeping our eyes open for lot
OF Tartar pirates who are the pests OF
these seas, and are dreaded by all honest
trading vessels. We were lying at the
mouth of the Ho.Tong, a small river or
creek emptying into the Pacific, and
Commander Napier had sent me, with a
boatswain named Joe Maxted and a
lauuch's crew OF twelve men, up the
creek to hunt fol and, if possible, to
destroy the stronghold of certain Tartar
pirate who had recently made himself
particularly obnoxious.
We got into the creek and rowed up
about FIVE miles without finding anything
or anybody, and without being molested
in any way whatever. Then l thought
We had gone far enough, but, being
Young aud painting for glory, l determ-
ined to reconnOitre little further in-
land. So, taking with me Joe Maxtcd
and two men, and giving orders to the
men left in charge of the boat that if we
did not return in forty-eight hours they
were TO come in search of Us, we started
upon what was undoubtedly very fool
hardy trip.
The whole river bank on either side
was a dense Jungle for about half a
mile, breaking into u belt of pine forest
and then into the open. Here and there
were narrow cuttings down to the river
side-the river was only about eighty
feet wide, about the width OF fairly
wide street-and occasionally one came
upon a tins village with clearing and
small rice farms. The inhabitants of
these villages. we suspected, all took a
hand in the piratical excursions which
the Ticker was endesvoring to suppress,
but on the present occasion it was the
head man of small tribe, which even
attacked the village pirates themselves,
that we were after.
1t was early morning-about o'clock
when we started out upon our ex-
cursion. We thought to take advantage
Of the cool morning air and, il necessary,
rest in the shade during the intense heat
OF the day. or course we were well
armed. We each carried Colts navy
revolver, the men bad each rifle and
cutlass and 1 my sword. Being fully
aware of the possibility of losing our
way and not getting back to the boat, we
blazed the trees along our route and cut
path through the underground. We
also kept lookout for ambushes, for
there was little doubt that our pirate
know perfectly well that we were after
him. We were not quite so we'll ac-
quainted with the country as he, how
ever. We made the discovery too late
ord 10 o,tr hitter cost
After about two hours cutting and
hacking at the dense underground and
having reached the belt of pine trees l
ordered halt, and we sat down 20
breakfast For two of our party it was
their last meal do not know how. it
happened, for had risen to my feet and
was again moving onward expecting the
men to follow instantly, when / heard
Joe Maxted's voice shouting to me:
'sMr. Martin Lie down on your face
Flat down for Gods sakei"
1t saved my life. / just turned an in
slant, in time to see my two poor able
bodied seamen cn their hacks with a
dozen arrows in the body Of each, aud
Joe ON his face on the grouad. The
whole wood seemed to be alive with the
most borridly-ris sed Tartar villains 1
set eyes on. Some had masks on their
faces aud all carried jayelins and great
swords. Well, threw up my hands. l
couldn't DO less.
In an instant we were surrounded,