The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-01-14

Out Duuuto tllu DIOuSub up u nsautlIul,
which he distributed among the Manila
sailors, with whom he was already q
great favorite. Then he gave couple
to the second mate, who was the officer
of the watch, and sprang into the boat.
When he reached the village the
"lantern feast" was in full progress.
The street was crowded with gayly
dressed children carrying colored Ian
terms and forming in line for the pro
cesSion.
In the midst of this joyful scene, when
the merriment was at its height, pale,
ragged, muddy figure appeared at
A-snng's side and touched his arm. He
recognized the slave girl whom he had
befriended. She was shivering with
cold and fear.
Come, venerable, sir" she said, 81
must tell you something"
They retired a few steps, while the
throng of children looked on with won
der.
There is fishing village fifteen
lie from here" continued the girl hur-
rledly, land three big pirate boats go
from there to attack the barbarian ship
tonight. My master and the rest have
gone to join them. I followed them.
The pirates were beating the gongs and
burning the joss papers to gain the favor
of the gods. Do not use the cheroots the
man gave you today; they are drugged
with the smelling stuffs of thieves and
robbers to make men sleepF
A-sung gave cry of establishment
and despair. For moment he was
stupefied; then he threw down his gay
lantern, and darted away toward the
boat landing at his greatest speed.
In little while he had aroused the
comprador and acquainted him with his
fears. They hurriedly entered a small
boat and pulled away for the Harlequin
AS they neared the ship they distinctly
heard the dip Of the sweeps as the pirate
boats approached. They had almost
reached their prey.
A-sung elambered up the side and
reached the deck with difficulty be-
tween the boarding MEETINGS. There
was no challenge. All was still ON
board. Several dark figures were
stretchebout ON the deck forward.
He darted aft. The second mate was
in profound slumber, breathing heav-
lily. He shook the officer, but found it
impossible to awake him. The drugged
cigars had done their work effectually.
He glanced fearfully around One of
the pirate boats was close at hand, loom
ing up darby, propelled by C great num-
Der of oars. Wild with fright, A-sung
rushed forward to the forecastle scream
ing:
''Piratesl piratesl Alloy, hi vii"
The men on deck were all in leaden
slumber, but some of the watch had
evidently sneaked below on finding that
the mate had gone to sleep.
AT A-sung's cries three sailors rushed
on deck. Though confused, they COM
pretended in q moment the imminent
danger, and sprang forward to the pivot
gun alnidships. BY that time the pirate
boat was almost alongside, and sudden
ly there burst from her crowded deck
the most frightful din of gongs and
savage yells, together with fierce dis
charge of musketry and gingals.
Several large, flaming missiles were
thrown over the boarding nettings upon
the deck. Three fell close to the pivot
gun, where they lay blazing and smok-
ing, emitting most horrible and suffo-
eating stencil. Unable to endure it, the
sailors were driven from the gun.
One of them ran aft to the cabin,
shouting "Senor Captainl Ladronesi
ladronesl" Another ran to the fore
castle to arouse his shipmates. The
third stood us If paralyzed. Already the
pirates were graphing the ship and pre-
pairing to pour on board.
AT this perilous moment desperate
resolve inspired A-sung. Since he had
caused this disaster he would at least do
what he could to atone for it was his
thought. He drew u deep breath, and
as the captain and Prescott reached the
deck they saw A-sung dash forward
through the fumes Of the burning fire
pots" seize joss stick from the main
mast and touch off the long eighteen
FOUNDER. There was stunning report.
The pirate boat was wrapped in smoke,
from which came fearful bowls. screams,
groans. The gun happened to be
trained exactly upon the crowded deck
of the pirate, and being double shotted
with canister the effect of the discharge
was terrible.
BY this time the rest of the crew were
on deck, and the carronade and the gun
ON the forecastle were fred into the
other pirate boats that were trying to
get alongside, and the sailors gave them
volley of musketry. Prescott at the
head Of some of the most resolute men
threw the blazing fire pots overheard,
extinguished the flames, and then, re-
loading the eighteen FOUNDER, poured
another blast into the first boat, which
was trying TO get off, badly crippled.
Poor A-sung was picked up limp and
senseless from the deck, where he had
fallen suffocated after 80 bravely firing
the gun That one shot began the dis
astrous repulse of the pirates. 1t was
some time before he was revived, and
when he regained consciousness the bat
tie was over.
When Capt Denville heard the whole
story, he highly praised A-sung for his
prompt and courageous action, but also
warned him against being deceived by
shrewd rascals, no matter how fine their
dress or how pleasing their manners.
The men who had been stupefed by
the drugged cigars soon recovered, but
the second mate never forgave the boy
who had caused his discontinue.
A-sung told the captain of the impor-
tant service the slave girl had rendered,
and expressed his fears for her fate if the
pirates should suspect that she had be-
trayed them. SO the next day Capt
Denville, A-sung and a party of armed
sailors went to the fishing hamlet.
Denville reached the howell first and
burst in the door. They had evidently
arrived just in time. The little slave
girl was lodging about the small room,
pursued by the big Chinese ruffian,
who was slashing at her with a heavy
scinitar
The villain had been wounded in the
attack ON the ship. His jaw was bound
up with dirty bandage, and he could
barely limp about This had enabled the
child to escape his deadly blows, but as
Denville entered he had penned her in a
corner.
The captain drew his pistol, and com