The morning call., 1892-01-21
ABOARD A PIRATE.
Singular Narrative of a Cruise in
the Pacific.
Barbsrous Dealings With south-sea islanders.
James Whites Rude Awakening.
His Timely Escape.

James White was one OF the three stow
Always that reached this city on the steamer
Australia from Honolulu recently. James
has had a hard time of it during the last
seven months, at least so he says, and is
very glad to set foot in America once more.
His story is that lie deserted from an
American ship in Sydney last May and
shipped on O 100-ton schooner that was
bound on trading voyage through the
islands of the Pacific. lie soon had reason
to think that the schooner was not what
she was claimed to be. for she was hardly
clear of the Australian coast when big box
was hoisted out of the mold, and on being
opened was found 10 contain large number
of fine rifles and TevOlvers, while another
box was filled with ammunition.
A SUSPICIOUS CARGO.
The arms were at once placed on racks ia
the cabin, and White was told that the am
munitlon was to be traded for sandal wood
and other articles of value that were 10 be
found on the islands.
The vessel, which had been built for a
yacht, sailed like a witch and carried a
crew Of fifteen men all told. She was COM
manded by a Captain Cotton, native Of
one Of the Southern States.
Tie first place the vessel touched at quite
lot OF shark tinS were obtained, and five
young girls who had gone on board were
kidnapped and carried of in spite of the eff
forts made by their friends, who followed
the vessel for several miles to sea in a
canoe. As long as there was any wind the
captain laughed at the natives, but suddenly
the wind died away, and seeing this the
natives redOubled their efforts to catch the
schooner.
A MURDEROUs CAPTAIN.
They had got within 100 yards of the YES
sci when the captain opened fire on them
with rifle, and soon three of the six men
ia the canoe were either killed or wounded.
The natives then tried to paddle back to
the Island, but while turning the canoe it cap
sized and the entire party was thrown into
the sea. The wounded men at once sank,
aud the others, who were fine swimmers
made an effort ~ right the canoe Before
they could do so they were surrounded by a
school Of sharks, and one after another Of
the poor fellows was dragged under water
by the fierce tigers OF the sea and deYOured
No one on the schooner made an effort to
save the unfortunate men, and the wind
sprlnging up the fatal spot was lett far be-
hind.
Two weeks after the schooner touched at
another island, but the natives were not so
easily deceived, and before the three bales
of sharks fms they obtained there were
slowed away in the hold one OF the pirates
had MS brains beaten out by a club and the
mate had his arm broken. They put to sea
as fast as possible, and did not attempt TO
do any more trading Ia that quarter.
THIEVES AS WELL.
Their next venture was at q small island
where a lot of sandal wood was obtained,
and then when the natives wanted their pay
the crew stood them off with the guns until
they got out 10 sea. This very nearly ended
their cruise, as next morning they found a
French gunboat had got wind OF the affair
and was after them red hot. The trim little
schooner was favored with good breeze,
however, and the Frenchman was unable to
gain an inch on her. When night came the
schOOner's course was changed and she
gave the gunbOat the slip.
For over a month the schooner stood to
the eastward after getting away from the
war-ship, and at last put into the Guahau
Islands for provisions and water.
WHITE ESCAPES.
White by this time had had enough of
that kind of business, and made up his
mind to desert This was not hard to do,
as all hands were allowed ashore and when
the schooner was again ready for sea White
hid himself until she had gone. The crew
Of the vessel had treated the natives so bad
that for some days White thought they
would Kill him. but he managed to make
friends with them and he remained with
them until he was taken off by the brig
Madr0ne and carried 10 Honolulu. There
he worked on a plantation for some tme,
and then tried to stow away on the Austria