The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-26

THESE parts, where The trafftc was con-
siderable and detachments of pirate
prows and junlks were by no means an
uncommon sight, and it made us reflect
uneasily that some more important
encmy than usual might be keeping
the lesser fry away, the slime rs the
presence of the shark clears out the
shoals of smaller fish.
All night through we had to keep a
close watch, the more particularly as
there was no moon, while white fog
hung over us, allowing only our ears to
warn us of the approach of the enemy.
Morning dawncd misty and white,
and so dense that we could only see q
foot or two in front of us; one of these
chill dense fogs which come sometimes
of an early morning in the China seas,
and betolxcn a change of wind At the
present time the old breeze which had
carried us along had left us, and we
were now submerged in that fog with
hanging sails, and rolling about in a
dead calm.
There were twenty-cight of us al
together, counting the captain and
mates, and every mothers son was on
deck fully armed, and frightened almost
to breathe as we listened, with our
heads stretched forward, for the sound
we dreaded-the splashing of oars, each
man praying for wind to come or the
white curtain to lift, so that we might
know the best or the worst. for it was
horrible to have to wait in that unccr-
tainty and suspense.
We should be able, perhaps to hear
them if they came on in force, for never
yet was there boat filled with rowcrs
but had some careless strokes in it; but
that would not help us much, for almost
with the sound they would be swarm
ing over the sides before we could see
them while the unmistakable crealling
of our yards and chains would have
guided them to us.
AT last, after long spell of anxious
waiting, the dreaded sound came and
from different dircctions-thc soft hiss
ing of water pushed aside by swift and
vigorous strokes, and then the pirates
were upon us III hundreds while we
were desperately fighting for our lives.
had glimpScs of the yellow faced de-
mons with their shaven heads and their
pigtails plated and twined round in
black coils, as they burst from the
mist, all but naked, and hacked at us
VIII ehSir ipHS, Slurp knives Wnlle
their snalSy dark eyes CLEANED with a
sinister glitter. A silent host of re-
morselcss murdercrs, they went about
their fell work like specters, while our
side shouted and shrickcd as they took
or gave the quictus.
1t was rapid but furious struggle of
fcrocity and numbers, against British
courage but without method therefore
as might have been anticipated num-
bcrs carried the day-if we had only
been able 10 have sent shot or two
amongst them before they landed. we
might have kept them ut bay. and vet
when had seen the leader had not
even that consolation.
l was wrestling with n slippery and
naked savage, after cmptying my re-
volver into the crowd, when all at once
| saw Il gigantic figure in full armor
of chain and plate loom up through the
mist as he hcwed his way along the
deck, and for one fatal instant paused,
so fascinated at the apparition of fully
seven feet of grim and silent fcrocity
towering above the hortlcs, with n
grotcsquc visor of bronze covering the