The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-28
Made Mistake in Not Fighting When
Strong.
HIS MEN BORDERING OH MUTINY
story of Captain Barclay of Indian
Prince-Javary Was n Disabled Poat
when sunk Dodging shot and Shell
I'm Rios Harbor.

NEW IOhk, 4NOfs so -StNNOtuiUk "
Captain Barclay OF the British steamship
Indian Prince. which has arrived from
Brazilian ports, the Javary. which was
sunk by shot from one of the Peixoto's
forts, had to be towed about by tugboats
when he was at Rio presumably because
Of disabled machinery, while one Of her
two turrets could not be revolved, and was
consequently useless.
~ do not think that Mello can hold out
much longer" Captain Barclay said. "He
Is short Of provisions and ammunition, and
the men who are cooped up aboard ship
and cannot go ashore are dissatisfied and
discouraged. Indeed they are bordering
on mutiny.
"His mistake was In not striking while
the iron was hot A short, stiff fight when
he was fully equipped would have accom-
plished what he must now fail in"
The Indian prince had cargo of cattle
from the Rio Grande, which one of Ad-
miral Mello's staff, who came alongside in
a launch, offered to buy with check.
Captain barclay refused TO sell and sue
ceened in discharging the cattle In light
ers, which the launch made iruitless efforts
tn capture.
The launch did cut away lighter from
the Sandman Prince and towed it out to
Mello's feet under a sharp fire from ma
chine guns from the forts and shore bat
teres. The Indian Prince aud Sandman
Prince ware both In the line of fire and
Showers Of Bullets whistIed
through theirriggiDgan and fattened against
their sides. A fireman on the Indian
Prince was shot through both legs. He
was removed to the British warship Sirius.
A native Brazilian named Charles, who
is a citizen of the United States, was cap
tured by Mello aud impressed into his SER
vice as pilot. Charles then had command
of a tug belonging to the coal firm of Will
son e. Sons, which was confscated by
Mello. ne
A foreign merchantmen. desiring to get
out of range Of the combatants, asked for
the use of one of Mello's tugs TO tow him
to do the job, and after completing it he
steamed in toward land instead of back to
the fleet.
A fort opened fire on the tug which car
ried Mello's white flag at the bow, and
sent a shot through her below the water
line. She began to sink, and Charles
beached her. He went back to old em.
ployers, Wilson g. Sons, and reported for
duty. This time the tug he commanded
carried An American flag at the bow and a
British flag over the taffrail. The flags of
the two nations didn't protect him, how
ever.
One of Mello's launches captured him
and took him aboard the Aquidaban. As
he stepped aboard the warship he was
recognized as the runaway pilot. An Of
fcer drew his sword and struck Charles
twice, cutting open his right forearm aud
slashing his scalp.
He Fell on the Deck.
The British and American consuls heard
about the incident and the next day n
launch from q British war vessel and
another from the Charleston came along
side the Aquidaban. The British officer
said that as the tug belonged to British
subject Mello would have TO give it up,
and the American officers said that IA the
tugs pilot was au American citizen Mello
would have to give him up. MelIo cheer
fully complied with the demands OF both
officers, and the war went on.
The skipper of Yankee schooner went
ashore while the Indian Prince was in har-
Dor in Rio. A Brazilian sentinel leveled
his musket at the skipper, who told him
that IL he didn't lower the weapon he
would get licked. Meanwhile the skipper
advanced on the sentinel, aud finally
tripped him and took away his musket
Then the skipper pointed the musket at
the sentinel, remarking tat he (the skip
peri was citizen of the United States, had
perfect right To land in Brazil, and
would be protected in his rights 10y the
white ships in the harbor.
After thoroughly Tightening the senti-
mel the skipper returned his piece to him.
Later. n Braz Ian officer came along and
kicked the sentinel for almost getting his
government into trouble With Uncle Sam.
victim MAY Die.