South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-01-27

that my deception had been discov-
cred. However, the next moment
he explained to the men that it was
his object to get as far out Of the
track of the Jeanette as possible
before making for the island.
"Being thus treasured, ventur-
ed to suggest that thu Jeanette
would most likely search for us
among the Bosher islands that lay
close to as on the south, but Peters
cut me of with the pert remark
that l was not brought along to
give advice. This left me with no
alternative but to quietly submit to
being carried away beyond the pos
sibility Of encounteriag the Jean
nette.
"My knowledge OF the island to
which we were bound was of the
most meager character, and all 1
could recall regarding it was that
it lay some thirty leagues of tho
coast Of Fu-Kina, province in
southern China, aud was infested
with a tribe of savage aud warlike
natives.
Cali that day we continued our
course to the north, then turn ed
westward, and two days later sight
cd the rock bound coast OF eastern
Formosa. Continuing our course
northward for several leagues we
entered narrow inlet, and passing
up this for four or Ave miles, we
landed in secluded spot, wh,re
we disembsrked and concealed the
boat under clump Of trees that
overhung narrow neck in the lit.
tie bay.
"In leTel spot about 100 yards
from the shore camp WAS made,
and here we remained for three
days before learned anything re-
gardIng the future plans of my
captors. Then, from what 1 over
heard from Peters in his convcrsa-
ton with the others, l learned that
we were to remain in concealment
for three or four weeks, perhaps,
when small vessel smuggler
on the Chinese coast, l gathered
commanded by an old friend and
pal Of Psters, would arrive and car
~ us to Australia. In order to
carry out this plan one of the con-
spirators had been left aboard the
Jeanette, and on his arrival at
Hong Kong he was to sec tho Snug
gler, whose ship would probably be
at that port, and acquaint him
with the business on hand, and ri
lot him to the place agreed upon
on the west coast of Formosa.
What disposition WAS to be made of
me in the meantime / was unable
to learn, bat had tho gravest sp.
prehensions that it vas their in
t,ntion to leave me on the island.
However, l was allowed my free.
dom and went and came as | pleas
ed. Sometimes l would venture
quite distance inland, W andering
over the hills and through the deep
canons, in which grsa abundance
of tropical fruit, while D IS OF rare
and brilliant plumage Gea Gbont
me through the perfumei air.
cit was about q week subsequent
to our landing on the island, | was
returning one evening from one OF
my short excursions inland, when,
on crossing little hill, a strangs,
startling sound, coming from the
camp in the valley below, reached
my ears.
Christening to the top OF the hill
/ looked down into tire little valley,
where a strang &c sight met my gaze.
Coming swiftly from a strip Of deep
forest to the north, leaping over the
jagged rocks that covered the hill,
/ saw horde of Formosa sayages
rushing fuTiously dowd upon the
sailors at the camp, brandishing
their spears and gesticulating Wild
ly as they ran.
"FOr a moment was atmost stu-
pefed with surprise and fear. So
suddenly had they appeared upon
the scene that it seemed asif they
had sprung up from the very earth.
l recognized in a moment that / as
well as the sailors was in tho most
deadly peril, for the natives OF For
mosa are as fierce and warlike as
the Sioux and Apaches Of our own
country.
''I heard the voice Of Peters
shouting to the men TO run for the
boat, but before the order could be
obeyed the savages were upon them.
! heard the rapid discharge of ire
arms as the sailors rallied about
their leader and sought to repel
the advancing foe. Thon the line