The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-17

of the necessity of immediate action. IL
would not do TO linger there a moment,
as there was no telling when the savages
might again appear upon the scene; but
what was to do:
Suddenly thought of the boat. Was
it still there, or had it been taken away
by the savages? With beating heart
fairly ran toward the place where it had
been left. l could hardly suppress a cry
of joy as | pushed through the thick
| branches to the waters edge and found
the boat still there unmolested by the
natives. a glance told me that nothing
had been removed from the boat save
small portion of the provisions, and at
once resolved to put to sea in it and trust
to chance to be picked up by some pass
ing ship.
''It only required few moments for
me to board the boat and push out into
the little bay. was well skilled in it's
management, and soon had The sail hoist
ed TO catch the strong off shore breeze
that was now blowing. Taking the
rudder, ran swiftly down the inlet to
the open sea. A mile farther on /
rounded a headland and was standing
out toward the middle of the bay when
l heard the sound Of many strange voices
coming from the shore. CHANGING to-
ward narrow peninsula that lay on my
left l saw a band of savages running
swiftly toward the waters edge, brand
ishing their weapons and uttering saw
age EXPLANATIONS as they ran.
"a shudder passed over me Us I thought
Of what my fate would be should | fall
into their hands. But as l could see no
boat in which they could pursue me
upon the water | felt that L was safe
beyond their reach. However, my feel
ing of security was of short duration,
for scarcely had the savages reached the
waters edge when | saw them scramble
down among the rocks and disappear
into what seemed to be a kind Of grotto.
= moment later long canoe filed with
the natives shot out into the bay and
came swiftly in pursuit Then another
and another followed in quick success
sion till half a dozen had joined in the
chase,
Although was fully n quarter Of
mile in advance Of them now, I recog-
nized the fact that there was the great
est danger that l would be overhauled
by them.
There were no weapons in the boat
with which ! could defend myself, but
even if there had been | would have stood
no chance Of repeling a score of blood
thirsty savages. There was but one
chance Of escape, and that lay in fight
Recognizing this fact / held the little
craft fun before the wind, which was
now growing stronger az l neared the
open sea.
But in spite of this could see that
the pursuing canoes were slowly but
surely gaining on me. Nearer and nearer
they drew, TIL. CHANGING back, could
see the fierce look Of exultation on the
hideous faces of the savages, and hear
their wild calculations Of triumph as
they bore rapidly down upon me. Fiji
teen minutes more and they would be |
within reach Of me. With feeling Of !
despair l dashed the rudder in place: !
grasped plank from the bottom Of the !
boat-the oars had been removed by the |
robbers-and began TO row with it as
best l could.
I'VE had now left the inlet, and were |
out IN the open sea. l cast a hasty glance |
across the water with the hope Of seeing |
some passing ship, but there was no sign |
Of a sail IN sight.
But now for the first time notice. /
that an ashy pallor was stealing over the 3
mist covered SKY, and with feeling Of {
JOY knew that the night. which comes
down so rapidly IN the tropics, was near
at hand. 4 few moments later the dark
ness had deepened 50 that only the dim
outlines OF the pursuing canoes were
visible through the gloom. a few min
utes more and they were lost 70 sight N
the black night that settled rapidly over
the sea
Throwing down the plank with
which had been rowing 1 row grSsped
the rud1sr again and changed my course
70 the southeast, while listened intent
" 70 the sound Of the pTIrsuers' paddles
4 few Minutes later heard them pass
ca 20 the north CT ne, while Win .
strong wlud filing the sails % ny boat
I bore swiftly and noisslessly away 20
the south. The noises Of tie paddles
dIed away in the distance. AID knew
that / was safe.
L continued nv course southwark
Until daylight. when / could Sc tie
coast Of FoT7noss lying some four CT I've
miles 20 me west The next day
rounded South Cape and was picket up
bv ire JEANETTE. which had returned
and WIS Standing up the Fo-uos4 coass
h srch Il tie ro5oe-s-
i Vas handsomely rewarded for the
1sEs Lad DlzYed IN rs~-1z1Eg ne treas