South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-01-27
FHElNTELLlGENCER
FRIDAY. JANUARY 27. 1898.
KIDNAPPED.

ever had during my twenty years
upon the sea" said Capt. Nevins.
"was during the summer of 1853.
| was Is years old at the time, aud
was living with my parents in San
Francisco.
My chief delight in those days
was the study of navigation, OF
which l never grew tired. by
father, who was master of that
science, being retired sea captain,
took great pains to crafty my de-
sire for knowledge in that direc-
ton, and in order to afford me q
chance to pursue my studies he
made arrangements to send me on
voyage to Hong Kong on the
Jeanette.
"The Jeanette was commanded
by G pit. Guy Wentworth, an old
friend Of my father, and as he had
always been kind to me l anticipa-
ted most pleasant voyage.
81 was provided with a set Of
navigator's instruments, including
a costly watch, and was to keep a
reckoning through the voyage.
"Iu addition to the ships crew
there were on board the Jeanette
about twenty Cinnamon, who had
made large sums of money in the
gold fields, and we're returning to
their native land to enjoy their
wealth. Their money, which was
nearly all in gold dust and nuggets,
was stored on board the ship.
"Among the sailors on board the
Jeannette was man by the name
OF Jack Peters. lie could not have
been less than so years of age, tall,
raw-boned. with o complexion as
brown rs an autumn leaf. From
tho very first he seemed to take
great liking to me, and seemed or ,at-
ly interested in my progress in
learning navigation. At every OPP
portunity he would engage me in
conversation, yet l could not make
up my mind to like him.
"There was something about the
man that caused me 10 dlstrust
him, in spite of his evident disposi-
ton to make me his friend.
owe had been at sea nearly fiye
weeks when one night, just as l
was preparing to turn in, Peters
came to my room AID asked me to
go with him. Joe Draddon, he
said, who was taking his turn at
the wheel, wanted to speak to me.
Il thought it an odd request, as
/ had but a slight acquaintance
with Braddon, but l followed him,
little dreaming. of the stsrtling
events that were soon to take place.
"The night was intensely dark,
and a heavy mist hung over the
sea. L had not taken dozen steps
after lesying my room when l was
suddenly seized from behind by
strong arms and borne to the deck.
1 was about to make an outcry,
when hand was placed over my
mouth and a harsh voice warned
me that If l made the least alarm
would be knocked on the head and
thrown into the sea.
"This induced me to remain
quiet while my hands were secure-
ly tied behind my back. Then
some one took me from the deck,
and slipping over the rail descend
ed into q boat that had been lower
ed alongside the vessel. I vas
thrust down "a the bottom Of the
boat and commanded to keep quiet
upon peril Of my life.
$50 astonished and bewildered
had 1 been at the sudden assault
that it was some time before /
could realize Whist was taking place.
l sat there like one stupefied, hud-
died down, while a dozen Of the
sailors descended from the ship and
took their places in the boat, and
the ship swept on her course aud
was soon lost to sight in the gloom.
"'What does this meanH /
cried, ss soon as I dared speak.
why have / been taken from the
ship2
Gwen let you know all soon
enough, replied the voice Of Peters
We've got use FER ye, an il ys do
the right thing ws'll treat ye all
fair
"'And Il be don't, said one Of
the sailors 10 a threatening tone.
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