Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-03-16
Fight With Cannibals.

and were up among the Fiji islands
after hump-back whales. Time
hung heavily on our hands, as
whales were scarce, and we spent
our time in making fancy articles,
such as canes, cocoanut dippers,
work boxes, etc, which we could
sell in New Zealand at exorbitant
rates, says a writer in the New York
Recorder.
One day the captain happened to
want some cocoanut wood for ca
noes, so he ordered boat cleared
away, and the second mate and five
men jumped in and rowcd to the
nearest island oprocure ayoungt tree.
| was among the number, and
thought it a fine chance to stretch
my legs ashore for while.
We took no arms, as these islands
are many of them uninhabited by
man or beast, but we bitterly regret
ted this later on.
This island was scarcely two miles
away, and not breath Of air ruffled
the surface of the blue waters as
we sped along. A coral reef en-
circled the little island, and it was
some time before we found a narrow
opening, just wide enough to admit
our passing through. Once inside,
a pull of one hundred yards brought
us to the white beach.
The second mate and myself lit
our pipes, and one of the men took
the hatchet and felled the tree. 1t
was soon cut up into pieces Of the
right length and placed in the boat,
and then we sat down in a little
grove of palm trees a short distance
away and regaled ourselves with the
green cocoanuts.
After we had eaten our fill we
sauntered slowly back toward the
boat. We were about half way
there when happened to glance
over my shoulder
The next instant gave shout,
for not twenty-five yards behind
us were not less than twenty hide
Gus looking FIJI warriors running
after us at full speed, carrying their
huge war 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 Godw cried the second
mate, 1--WE are dead men sure! Run.
boys, run"
And we did run.
IF ever | thanked heaven for my
six feet four of flesh and bone it
was then, for my long legs sent ne
far ahead Of my shipmates, and |
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, succeeded in pushing her in
to the water just as my shipnates
came tearing down the beach.
"Quick, or we're lost" | cried, as
they splashed into the water and
scrambled into the boat.
But hurry as they might the saw
ages were close behind and as the
last man climbed aboard, the fore
most natives dashed into the water
with fierce yells of triumph.
l stood up to my knees in the
water, holding the boat for my
companions, and as | turned to jump
on board, a brawny Fiji sprang up
on me with uplifted club. Idodged
a blow which would have scattered
my brains about, and as the huge
club struck the water struck out
straight from the shoulder, putting
all my two hundred and fifty pounds
into the effort.
It caught the fellow under the
ear, and he dropped like dead man.
The next instant | sprang into
the boat and seized an oar. By this
time the other sailors had got out
oars and attempted to row, but in
their fright they were making poor
work of it, and one man fell back
ward in the boat, nearly losing his
oar overheard.
As raised the oar to push the
boat away from the shore, two
more savages rushed forward, brand
ishing their clubs, while a spear
whistled within an inch of my head.
Up went the huge war clubs in
the air, and | made a desperate
sweep with the heavy oar, striking
one warrior in the neck and sending
him struggling against his COM
panion, who fell with him.
Pull for your lives!" ] shouted,
as seated myself on the bow thwart
and shipped my oar.
But we were not to escape so