The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-19

looks different. Keep sharp lookout to-
Jay, my Iad.' The words Malay piratesn
suggested something terrible to me. l
knew they infested these waters, and that
they we're barbarous and cruel, giving no
mercy TO their victims. l also knew they
were cunning and deceitful, and that a
merchantmen stood a good chance to be
captured, unless we'll armed.
While was musing thus | notice there is
no Dreeze, not even a puff of wind-a
leather would not stir, so still is the air.
Inc sails hang hstlessly, and the ship is at
sIandstllL. All Is calm, quiet, peaceful
and serene. The ocean is as smooth as
glass. We are in one Of those dreadful
dead Gains. "Mr. Gregory says the
captain, II am always afraid Of calm in
these waters. They last a day sometimes.
Inc pirates are likely to attack us in this
cam cam II we only have a breeze, I
oont Tear them 80 much.n The
captain stands anxiously on the poop deck,
wnlIe with his glass he scans the horizon far
ana wide. The captain says to me: LAD,
DO you see that black speck over wonder,
which looks to be about as big as your hand 2
what do you think it isl" / at once re-
Piled: ut looks like cloud, captain He
laughs queer sort Of a laugh, putting his
hand ON my shoulder, aud SAYS: "What you
THINK Is little cloud are the prows OF pi-
rates. Already they have sighted us, and
before two hours they will be upon us"
Even now the. captains manner is
changed; he passes the glass to Mr.. Gregory,
who, after looking intently for a moment,
returns 1t with the remark: Captain, they
are after u.s." In a moment the voice Of
the commander rings out sharp and clear:
"All hands on deck!" which in thunder
tones is repeated by the first mate. AYE,
aye, captain" is heard from all points of
the ship as the men form into line, while
the captain says: "Boys, we shall have a
Malay fight; they are in great numbers,
and 1t will be hot one. Let each man
keep cool, remain silent and obey orders.
Let no man show his head above the gun
vale until we fire. DO your duty and all
will be well.n The first mate takes care
full look at the cannons and is sure they are
all IN order, while to each man is given d
trusty gun, revolver, dirk and cutlasS.
The men are sitting quietly on the deck
near the gunwale, and each face bears a
determined expression. On the poop deck
still stands the captain, now talking to Mr.
Gregory in low tones, while ever and anon
he looks anxiously through the glass. I peer
through one of the loop. holes aud in the dis
tance see the prows which seem to be fast
bearing down upon us. Each moment they
come nearer, until l see there are eight long,
narrow prows. In advance, some several
hundred yards, is prov filed with fruit,
While the other seven are crowded with
nearly naked Malays. Even at this distance
their faces CLEAN savagely with war paint.
Each pirate holds in his right hand long,
cleaning spear. Suddenly the seven prows
lift theig long, spoon-like oars, and remain
stationary, while the prov loaded with fruit
suddenly puts out toward our ship, and in
half an hour or so is quite near us.
w. se l.. y
as rowers. All brown and nearly naked,
but with no paint on their faces. In the
front stands fellow, tall and sinewy, at
least six feet in hight, who puts up both
hands with palms toward US, showing them
empty, and, as a sight of good will, repeats
the sign several times, grinning all the
time. Now he picks large bunch of fruit
ano holds it out toward us, moving his arms
the while as if asking to come on board.
The captain stands still on the poop deck
with seeming Indifference, giving no sign
and not moving muscle. Soon the cap
tam motions them away with his arm.
To this they only grin and mutter, while
they renew their signs; finally discouraged,
they silently and sullsnly withdrew to their
companions, where a long confab is held:
suddenly the prows separate, rowing rapidly
away from the ship, but the move proves
only detour to enable them TO get on each
side Of the ship, while suddenly the prows
are pointed toward us, and with Bonded
oars and yells they dash toward US. In the
meantime our gunners have adjusted the
cannons, and from each side of our ship
thunders the shot. 1t is hard to get the
right range, however, and the first few
shots only plow the water far beyond the
pirates. while with exultaut shouts they ap-
proach US, each moment coming nearer.
The sixth shot, however, strikes the prov
lengthwise, splintering it and throwing the
pirates into the water, while they shout
and scream with fear, aud many are
drowned.
The disaster checks their advance and
they stop. In the meantime our cannous
have again been adjusted and the gunners,
after careful aim, touch the fuse, again
with good result, for another prov is sunk
and more screams rend the air. There are
now five prows left, each holding as many
as fifty Malays, who ferociously brandlsh
their spears, in the meantime shouting def
ance at us. All at once they start toward
us, and when within a few yards they
slacken their pace and begin rowing around
us. Now the captain sings out: boys, give
it TO theml" Away blaze the guns The
sailors take careful aim and l can see that
many a savage throws up his arms and. with
an expression of agony, leaps overheard to
De drowned or SILKS 60 the Dobbom or tne
PROV. The air is now full of Kissing spears.
which every now and then strike harmlessly
against the vessels side or fall upon the
deck. Now the graphing irons are thrown
at our sails to prevent our sailing in case a
breeze should arise, and thus, amid smoke
and throwing of spears and hideous yells,
the fight is kept on. see dusky hands and
arms hanging over the gunwale. when, in a
second, sailor, with a sweep Of his cutlass,
sewers the arms, and they fall bleeding to
the deck. After awhile the spears grow
less, until they cease altogether. The cries
no longer sound in our ears. Our men
stop firing, and soon the smoke clears
away. We see that none of our men are
seriously hurt, though many are wounded.
The prows are now slowly pulling away,
and as we are in good range the captain
orders the gunners to give them parting
shot, which seems to send havoc through
their ranks. Indeed, l hear the captain
say as he looks through his glass: Every
PROV has been struck" So the guns cease
firing, and we feel safe for at least awhile.
Soon strong breeze comes up, the sails
fill out, and we bear away. In due time
we reach our port, none of us the worse for
-. 6,.h& xr{&b fha Malav Zoe