The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-30

gagged But I'll tell you of an adventure
in the Red Sea The occurrence happened
memory. AS | had occasion to regret Ii,
the experience will never be effaced from
my mind"
The Captains face became saddened; he
was silent for a few seconds, but, looking
up suddenly, one starting from rev.
erie, he began the story
THE CAPTAINS STORY.
Thus it ran: About five years ago, it
matters not the month or day, / was dis
patched to the eastern coast Of Africa, on
the Red sea, to arrest the slave trade,
which at that time was reported to be
growing to an alarming extent along the
Abyssinian coast. The trade carried
on between tie Arabs and the natives OF
that country. The Arabs would sail across
the sea in small vessels, which were called
dhows, would collect the slaves from the
chiefs OF warhke tbipes ana wGuid tes nf
pilgrimage, was the greatest market Tor
slaves the Oriental coast
Upon arriving in the waters infested
with the Arabs / established myself at the
island of Perrin. near the outlet or the sea
of the Pharaohs. My vessel was a small
steamer, and the number OF the crew was
nine. In the island of Perrin there was a
harbor where the boat could be concealed.
1t was my custom to go out in small boats,
as the Arabs in their dhows could see the.
steamer far off and would make away be-
fore l could catch them. In that manner
and taking prisoners 1t soon became dill
cult, however, to effect their capture, as
they began to operate with a. lode of sig
mails and TO go in large numbers. 1 circu-
lated the report among the Arabs that
had departed from the island and had re-
turned to England. That was done upon
the arrival in the harbor of large ship
going from Bombay to Liverpool l re-
Quested the captain of the ship, and the
Reist my cutter M On board his vessel Sue
ceeding in that We covered the small craft
up so that the Arabs could not see it while
were under sail.
Arriving nearly opposite Mocha, my YES
sci was lowered into the water, but it was
i day I saw the sails Of three. dhows
going in the direction of the. slave-trading
city Ny report s had brought , the arabs Arabs
loaded with human freight. We made
straight for the three boats, but they scat
:nunicate with them. Pursuing one, we
soon ran it down. AS We approached the
vessel the Arabs fired upon us, killing one
deadly effect, as our arms were superior
and our position better. stubborn resist
band craft crew captive, and, removing
the rudder left her float until We could
chase the others, The, second dhow was
aboard. as we'll as twenty-five or thirty
captives to be sold in bondage. The slaves
we were resisted, but did not lose any of
our men. We were obliged to Kill num-
Der of the Arabs.
"As 1 placed three men in charge of this
vessel, / was left with four men to make
the attack on the largest dhow, which ap-
peared to be well loaded with Arabs and
armed. We steamed alongside of the
dhow and demanded their surrender, but
lade, which killed two of our men. for the
Arabs were splendid marksmen. We came
up within few feet of the dhow while
the conflict was raging. The sea was
rough. The vessels were tossed against
each other and We're badly shaken up. The
fire soon ceased. for the Arabs, who had
notwithstanding guns, had all fired a round
and were not in a position TO reload their
weapons.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
lat this jucture L jumped aboard the
dhow. Along the edge of the vessel was a
walkway eighteen inches wide
This was separated from the opening in
the hull where the slaves were bound by a.
sort of banister ten twelve inches high
In jumping aboard / missed my footing
The vessel was tossed as / sprang forward
and instead of landing on its edge, as 1
intended, / went over the banister and
down amid the captives. The fall made me
insensible. l knew nothing. l cannot to
this day tell how long L Jay unconscious
amid the bound Numidians. and surround
ed by oodthirSty and eXasperated Arabs
numbering perhaps a dozen. AT last L re-
gained consciousness When | opened my
eyes one OF my men, VINO was a brave,
strong fellow, standing over me, slash
ing the Arabs with cutass to the right
and left. A half dozen of the Arabs were
lying about me, some dead and others dy-
ing from the wounds inflicted by the terri
bic onslaught OF the young Britisher. My
first thought was 10 use my pistols As /
pulled one from my belt / looked uD and
saw on Arab behind the young fellow, who
was making a brave effort TO save my life
with drawn scimitar He was in the
very act of killing the boatswain when
fired between the knees of the latter and
killed the Arab. Between US we made
short work OF the others. 1t was a great
slaughter, but, TO be sure, IL was one OF
preservation. We returned to the others
and. binding the Arabs, made our way 10
Perrin. The slaves were sent back To their
people As result of my fan 1 injured
my spine and was sent to England, where
/ lay upon my back, unable 10 move, and
undergoing the greatest agony for two
: long and weary years"
Thus, in short, was the story OF Capt.
Charles Beresfords adventure while In the
service OF her Majesty in breaking up the
slave trade OF the Red sea. Captain Beres-
| ford. now commands the Xaragossa. the
Mexican Wax ship which took such prom