Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-15
CHAPTER TX
ONCE MORE IDESERT.


The morning following our concert / went
ashore with the second mate and three
Others to bring off the flags, ETC., with which
we had draped the stage, and to restore the
schoolhouse to its normal condition. After
the latter duty had been satisfactorily per-
formed, 1 asked permission to 60 to the
hotel and get my oilskin jacket, which L
had left day or two before 1t was read
ily granted, and L soon found myself in the
barroom, where a number of half-caste
Maoris were assembled, who had come from
q distance to attend the concert, and were
in no hurry to depart. was received with
great favor, and, in fact, received so much
praise and flattery that my head became
very much inflated, and began TO think 1
had missed my vocation.
One of the men was from lumber camp
some 40 miles away, and was particularly
friendly. After awhile he drew me aside
and proposed that should desert the ship
and Join him in the lumber camp, where 1
was sure to be a prime fayorite, and in such
glowing colors did he paint the life there
that / finally yielded. and we quietly LETT
the house ana struck out over the hills,
where, he informed me, he knew a secure
hiding place in which 1 was to remain until
night, while he would return to the village
to avoid suspicion. After dark he would
Join me and furnish me with a horse, and
before morning we would be at the camp,
where / could be safely hidden until the
ships had departed. He left me in a little
cave and returned to the village, and as
soon as nv absence xvas noticed he coolly
informed the Captain that l had probably
run away. The old man was furious, and
Immediately offered 20 pounds of tobacco
for my capture. My treacherous friend in
formed several natives of my retreat, and 1
was soon dragged back to the ship in dis
grace, while he shared without doubt in the
reward offered, and. in fact, it W as no doubt
all planned by him before he untolded his
scheme to me.
was not put in irons this time, but I
knew that dire punishment awaited me
when we were out Of port, so l resolved to
make an attempt on my own hook, and
with the help of one of the crew l sue
ceeded in getting ashore that evening
The night was dark, and when the boat
went ashore L induced friend, who was
also very tall, to let me take his place. The
officer, l strongly suspect, perceived the
change in his crew, but kindly affected not
10 notice me, and / was soon striking out
for the woods at nv best pace. / had
loaded nv pockets with hard bread and
meat and good supply of tobacco, a pipe
and matches, also a sharp lance with which
i could defend myself from wild boars,
which are the most dangerous animals to be
met in this section of the island. The ship
was 10 sail in few days, and 1 hoped to
say goodby to her forever, and escape an
other two years of life which was in |
every way distasteful, as well as unproft- |
able.
Day after day 1 struggled manfully on
boarding nv food, as best l could, until at |
last deemed myself so tar inland that it |
would be safe to light a fire. l knocked |
over young rabbits and pigs, and, as there |
was an abundance of fresh water on every |
land, was rich in food and drink After |