The morning call., 1892-08-17
FIGHT With CANNIBALS.

Fight With CANNlBALS.
Some Is years ago was harpooner on
New Bedford whaler. We were out for
four years voyage, and had been fairly sue
cessful. We had just finished season at
the Chatham Islands In the South Pacific.
and were among the Fiji islands after hump
hack whales Time hnag heavily on cur
hands, as whales were scarce, and we spent
our time making fancy articles. such as
canes. workbOxes, etc, which we could sell
in New Zealand at eXoTbitant rates.
One day the captain happened to want
some cocoanut wood for canoes, so he or
dered boat cleared away, and the second
mate and five men jumped In and rowed 10
the nearest island to procure young tree.
was among the number, and thought 1t
fine chance to stretch my legs ashore for a
while. We took no arms, as these Islands
are many OF them uninhaOited BY man or
beast, but we bitterly regretted this later on.
The island was scarcely two miles away,
and not breath ruffled the surface of the
blue waters as we sped along. A coral reef
encirced the island, and it was some time
before we found narrow opening, just
wide enough to admit our passing thToug h.
Once inside 4 pull OF 100 yards brought US
10 the beach.
The second mate and myself lii our pipes,
and enc of the men took the hatchet and
felled the tree. 1t was soon cut up into
uieces of the right length and placed IN the
boat and then we sat down IN q little grove
0f patm trees a short distance away and re-
galed ourselves with the green cOc0anuts.
After we had eaten our I'LL we sanntered
slowly back toward the boat We were
about halfway there when l happened TO
glance back over my shoulder.
The next instant ] gave a shout, for not
more than % yards behind us were 20
hideous-lookihg Fiji warriors. running after
us at full speed, Carrying their huge clubs
and shields. Their bare feet made no noise
in the sand, and had / not chanced TO look
back they would have been upon US a
moment later.
Good God!" cried the second mate. "we
are dead men, sure! Run, boys, runp
And we did run. If ever l thanked
heaven for my six feet four OF fish and
bone it was then, for my long legs sent me
far ahead Of my snipmates, and L reached
the boat first.
The wood in the boat made her heavy, but
my fright augmented my naturally great
strength, and placing my shoulder against
the bow, l succeeded in pushing her into
the water justaS my shipmateS came tear
ing down tEe beach.
Quick. or we're lostv / cried as they
splashed into the water and scrambled into
the boat
But hurry as they might. the savages were
close behind, and as the last man climbed
on board the foremost natives dashed into
the water with fierce yel S Of triumph.
] stcCd up 20 my knees IN the water hold
Ing he boat for my 0mp0nloDs, and as l
turned to jump on board a brawny FIJI
sprang upon me with upifted club. |
lodged a blow which Won have scattered
my brains about, and as the huge club
struck the ater l struck straight from the
shoulder, putting all my 250 pounds into the
effort II caught the fellow under the ear
and be dropped like dead man.
The next instant | sprang into the boat
and seized an oar. By this time the other
sailors had got out their oars and attempted
20 rCw, but in their fright they were making
poor work OF il, and one man fell backward
in the boat, nearly losing his car overheard.
As l raised the oar ID push the boat away
from the shore tWo more savages rushed
forward, brandshng their clubs, while a
spear whistled within an inch Of my head.
Up went the huge war clubs in the air
and 1 made desperate sweep with the
heavy car, striking one warrior in the neck
and sending him staggering against his CON-
panion, who tell with him.
"Pull for your iYesV | shouted rs |
seated myself on the bow thwart and
shipped my car.
But we were rot to escape so easily, for
with h0arse cry Of rage the natives dashed
into the water mp TO their armpts, and enc
OF them seized tie bow of the boat :, ith both
hands.
just then saw a sharp hatchet lying at
my feet in the boat, and I seized il W t6out
delay. Ii was but the work of an instant 10
deal the savage q deadly blow, and he fell
back into the water, his mead cloYen in two.
A fearful chorus Of yells burst from the
baf1ed t.3.s as they saw Us bend TO the oars
and shoot of beyond their reach, and then
they scrambled ashore and ran swiftly into
the lush.
'Tbank the Lord. boys!" said the second
mate; that was a close call. We're safe
now unless they've got canoe round that
peint."
But no canoe appeared. and we were be-
ginning TO breathe easier when suddenly
We saw a large war canoe shoot around the
point mentioned, manned oy fully SEQ re
of naked FIj!s.
Not word was spoken as we bent to our
work. Ii was life or death for us now and
we made every stroke tell. We shot through
the narrow opening in the reef some 80
yards ahead OF our pursuers, and our hopes
rose as we saw the old bark was standing
toward Us, bringing light breeze with her.
Long and strong, boysP" said the mate,
VINO stood up In the stern with the long
steering oar, as he glanced back at the
canoe They've got Onlya couple of dozen
men aud that craft Is made for about 80
paddles. They amt gaining, anyhow Send
her alongi"
How we did pull! The men were all used
to the work, and the broad backs swayed
back and forth in perfect unison. Every
oar was dipped deep IN The water and the
boat fairly jumped ahead every time the
muscular arm straightened out.
Inch by inch we began to gain, until at
last We were drawing near the bark. Then
with one accord our pursuers stopped pad
ding and united in a shout of disappointed
rage, after which they turned about and
padded slowly back TO land.
Ii was not till afterward we learned the
probable cause of their attack. The cocoa
nut tree is sacred in some of these islands
and it is death 10 fell one We had narrow
oscaDa