The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-05

doctor or you killed Loke, and that as for
giving either of you up, I'll see the Rosy
Morn at the bottom of Brass river first,
or-stay! you know best, Tom what to
mary pigeon-Englis him, plenty
fine thing, speak softly. softly; and sup
pose five puncheon no be enough, fit pay
ten"
In vain Tom, with all his ready native
eloquence endeavored to talk over Ejabu
and the other fetichmen; all arguments
were met by one unfailing response:
LET the two submit themselves to the
trial demanded. in the sight of all Brass,
and the ordeal should decide"
In the midst of the talking, Williams,
who had often looked toward the shore,
observed fresh canoes, filled with men pad
ding out from the town toward the hulk,
so he called to Tom to end the discussion,
as he intended hauling up the gangway for
the night and allowing no newcomers on
board.
Ejabu, on hearing this, turned to go, and
leading the way to the head of the steps,
he halted for moment as if to speak again
but with o peremptory gesture. for the
oncoming canoes were fast approaching
and be could perceive that many of the
occupants were armed Williams motioned
to Ejabu to be gone.
As the fetch doctor, followed by his fol-
lowers, hastily scrambled down the steps.
which was already beginning to respond
to the vigorous "Yeave hio" of the Kru-
boys and into his canoe he responded to
Williams CHEEKY good night" and hope
that he would accept the offer made to the
people of Brass by giving the order to the
paddlers to strikAout for the shore.
The same bustX of subordinates around
their chief, the same ringing of bells and
beating of drums. greeted Eiabu's return
to his canoe; and the cries of the boys in
the bows as they beat the air with their
rustling switches, were soon drowned in
the full chant of the paddlers as the ca
noes left the hulk's side.
The ladder was ut once hauled up and
securely fastened to the davitts, while Will
liams and o'Conor commenced an IN
spection of the mems quarters ''forrard,"
which were rapidly put into rough state
of defense.
The cargo ports. daily open for the re-
ception of oil casks. etc.. were strongly
barred on the inside and heavy casks Of
earthenware rolled against them, while
the bulwarks, wherever open at all TO the
river, were blocked with the same I'M
wieldy objects.
The headman prince Will" was
armed with an Enfield muzzle-loader, as
were also Jim Doe and Tom-while the
bigger bows of the crew were given flint
lock mussets and plentiful supplies of
gunpowder and shot were distributed
from the magazine. which fortunately
contained a large store of those highly
priced commodities.
The smaller kruhoys were armed with
cutlasses and matches. to be used in case
of boarding. while they were instructed
how to reload the muskets rs rapidly as
their bigger brethren should be called
upon 10 discharge them-and in this way
a more rapid fire might he kept UP.
BY this time in addition 10 the thunder
Of ha IA ph haI c+u
soon as Eiabu's canoes had Quilted the
hulk's sides, the sound of fire arms being
discharged arose from the shore. and
when the canoes reached land scene of
general activity along the waters edge en-
sued.
Looking through the glass the white
men were able TO make ont the figures of
Ejabu and his followers engaged. aprar-
emily. in furious dance in front of the
Ju-ju house, while the crowd of excited
men on the beach danced too, waving guns
dehantly at the Rosy Morn.
II was determined 10 divide the night
into TWO watches. the doctor and Jim Doe
taking the first. M to midnight, when VIII
liams and Tom should relieve them. 1t
was decided not 10 call Crowther unless
they were actually attacked.
The hrst watch passed over unevent-
fully.
Williams and Tom had been on guard
for perhaps an hour when a sudden "his,"
| from the latter, rs he crept towards the
windows CT the stern-sheets startled Will
Jams.
Scarcely any light came from the sky. so
that 1t vas only oy feeling his way along
Williams was able 10 follow the black lad.