The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-09-26
TAKEN BY TARTARS.

In 1873 was sub-licutenant in the
British royal navy. serving on her
majesty's gunboat Ticker commanded
by First Lieutenant (now Captain)
Charles Napier. We wore cruising in
Chinese waters keeping our eyes open
for a lot Of Tartar pirates, who are the
pests of the seas, and are dreaded by
all honest trading vessels We were
lying at the mouth OF the Ha-Tong, a
small river or creek emptying into the
Pacific, and Commander Napier had
sent me, with a boatswain named Joe
Maxted and a launchs crew Of twelve
men, up the creek to hunt for. and. If
possible, 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
any thing or any body and without be-
ing molested in any way whatever.
Then 1 thought we had gone far
enough; but being young and painting
for glory, determined to reconnoiter
q little further inland. So, taking
with me Joe Maxted and two men. and
giving orders to the men left in charge
of the boat that, II we did not return
in forty eight hours, they were to come
in search of US, we started upon what
was undoubtedly II foolhardy trip.
Tho whole river bank on either side
was a dense jungle for about half a
mile, breaking into belt Of pine for
est and then into the open. Here and
there were narrow cuttings down to tho
river side--the river was only about
eighty feet wide about the width OF
fairly wide street--and occasionally
one came upon tiny village with
clearing and small rice farms. The
inhabitants of these villages, we sus-
pected, all took hand in the piratical
excursions which the Tiokler was en-
deavoring 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
excursion. We thought to take ad-
vantage Of the cool morning air, and,
if necessary. rest in the shade during
the intense heat of the day. OF course
a Colts navy revolver, tho men had
each rifle and cutlass and my
sword. Being fully aware OF the pos
sibility OF losing our way and not get
ting back to the boat we blazed tho
trees along our route and cut fair
path through the underground. We
also kept lookout for ambushes. for
there was little doubt that our pirate
knew perfectly we'll that we were after
him. We were not quite SO well ac-
quainted with the country as he. how
ever We made the discovery too late
and to our bitter cost.
After about two hours cutting and
hacking at the dense underground, and
having reached the belt of pine trees,
/ ordered halt and we sat down to
breakfast. For two OF the party it
was their last meal. do not know
how it happened. for had risen to my
feet and was again moving onward, ex-
pecting the men to follow inst-ntiy.
when Iheard Joe Baxted's voice shout
ing to me:
"Mr. Martin! Lie down on your
face! Flat down, for God sake!''
1t saved my life. just turned an
instant in time to see my two poor
able-bodied sea-men on their backs,
with dozen arrows in the body OF
each, and Joe on, his face on the
ground. The whoS wood seemed to
be alive with the most horribly rugged
Tartar villains l ever set eyes on.
Some had masks on their faces, and all
carried javelins and great swords.
Well, threw up my hands l couldn't
do less.
In an instant we were surrounded,
and leaving the two dead bodies
where they lay we were dragged
along until we came to large clear
ing about quarter of mile away
the existence OF which we had never
suspected. Here was a sort OF village
OF bamboo huts. little more than an
encampment OF about eighty or hun
dred men. Not one. We were In the
hands OF the pirates we had come to
exterminate. We had not chance.
Our men wouldn't come after us for
two days. There was no hope Of
release. We might just as well make
up our minds to it.
2 Up to this time we had been so far
apart, separated by our guards that
we could not speak to each other or
suggest any plans When we reached
the clearing, however. we were
brought together, and marched before
the most Misunderstanding rascal /
ever set eyes on-ovidently the chief
of the band. ZOO was filing the air
with the most lovely and choice seloc-