Asheville daily citizen., 1892-06-13


reached II decision, the wind brcczcd up,
the yawl was taken aboard and set the
course for the big river, about 500 miles
away. Just at sunset VIC rose II British
going up the coast. The con
victs identified her at once, and as we
would pass each other within mile there
was cause for excitement. They had helped |
themselves to our spare clothing and |
thrown away their own suits, but there |
were too many men on our decks for a |
small brig. Al! but three were sent be, |
low, and the leader of the gang said to me
as he surveyed the approaching craft:
"You will show our colors aud salute
her. If she should hail us you know what
to answer You can hetray us, but will
kill you if you dor
The man-of-wa crossed our Codrsc a
mile away, and | dipped the ensign to her,
We were only peaceful trader in her eyes,
and no one aboard gave us second look or
thought.
"You did well,n said the convict, who
was called Moran by his companions.
Deal honestly by us and we will ly yoIl."
From the very first lad hoped that we
might retake the brig, but the convicls
would only trust us so far. The watches
were so divided by order Of Moran that our
men were divided, and two of the convicts
were kept under arms to act as sentries,
Moran and the second mate had quarters
aft with me, while all Others berthcd for
ward. All Of us were under constant sur.
veilancc, though drcantIy treated, and no
two Of Us were ever left alone together If
had planned to run the brig into the port
of parnahyla, down the coast, or headed
up for Cayenne, they would have been too
sharp for me. While none of them could
take the wheel, they kept constant watch
on the compass. They knew the course
was south by west, and if the brig broke
off a point they were quick to detect it.
The winds were light and variable, and
it was the sixth day after our capture be
| fore we drew in with the coast. MOrau's
orders Were to avoid Para by entering the
north mouth, and when we were fairly in
the river he told me their plans. ! WAS to
| take them in the brig up as far as the
month of the Ningu river, and they would
then pull up the stream in the yawl and
| make for the diamond district. We were
not above thirty miles into the river when
we were obliged to come to anchor for the
want of II breeze. | knew nothing what.
ever of the navigation of the stream, and
| had no chart Of it, but Moran insisted that
we should not take Il pilot. About the
| time we anchored, the dcmeanor of the con
victs seemed to change for the worse
They We're very lorlly in giving orders
| and swaggcred around in II fashion !rrl,
new to them. 1t appeared also as if three
or four of them were anxious to pick :
quarrel with our men. That evening tn
second mate found opportunity to So.
to me:
depend upon it, Mr.. LcnoN, the
never meant to stand to the bargain.
shouldn't be surprised if they were plan
ming to cut our throats and scuttlo til
brig"
Istrongly suspected them Of some evi
intention, but nothing came Of it tina
night. Next morning we had wind am
: tide in our favor, aud at noon, when W
anchored again, we had made twcnty-tiv
miles. Another twenty-five would tax
us to the mouth of the Xingu. Right AVA
after dinner the yawl was lowered, an
Moran began to outfit her. His manner
| nc was very bluSIuc anu
and | avoided him as much as possibl
. Whatever they thought could be mao
useful was placed in the boat, and the
J. were rummaging about the whole afte
noon. At about o'clock Moran ordcre
all the old crew of the brig into the cabi
Every man of us at once realized that Il
climax was at hand, and acting in concc
! we made a sudden and furious attack. "
got possession of two of the muskcts al
were making good fight of it, thong
} bound to be beaten in the end, when
:, Brazilian gunboat which was on her VIZ
up the river shcercd alongside of us al
) had grappled on before some of us saw he
Her presence put an end to the fight,
q course We had two men wounded, viii
. we had killed one convict and wounded
second.
- Our captors were neatly trapped, bl
II they no sooner realized it than they clair
II ed to be the real crew of the vessel and
u nounced us rs convicts. They were
L earnest and emphatic in their declaration
/ that the commander Of the gunboat w
l. almost convinced. | destroyed their cas-
II however when asked them for the ca
tain's name, our port of hail, the nam
y of the different ropes and sails, etc Th
IT were ironcd and taken aboard the gu
l. boat to be conveyed to Cayenne, while Il
brig was towed down to Para to be p
" through the legal forms necessary in SUI
IN cases. The last time | saw Moran he sa
J" to me:
"Do you think we would have been su
W fools as to let you sail away with the bri
nc meant to lock all of you in the cabin Al
then cut away her masts and scuttlc hel