The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1894-06-13

ed to another experience, the infection OF
the brand of slavery. This consisted in
tattooing his entire body, with the excep-
ton of face, hands and feet.
Holden acquired the native language in
a short time and as the years passed he
became more reconciled to his native COM
panions and in time came to be regarded
as one of their number. This gave him
opportunities for maintaining q constant
though covert watch for the chance APP
proach of vessel He learned to swim
as we'll as his captors, which is the Same
as saying equal to fish.
At last the day of his deliverance ar
rived. Ascending hill one morning, he
was overjoyed to see a ship lying near the
coast. Reaching the beach, he entered one
of the proas filled with natives which was
Just pushing out to reconnoiter the big
ship. They were too much engrossed to
notice his eagerness and excitement. Many
other proas, we'll manned, were ranged in
q semicircle around the ship at o respect
full distance, but none would venture near
Holden found it impossible to induce his
captors to approach the vessel. He dared
not for obvious reasons be too insistent. A
boat was lowered from the ship manned by
a half dozen sailors with the first officer
They came within about quarter OF
mile. Nearer than that they were afraid
to come At this distance Holden was able
to make himself understood and found to
his great JOY that they spoke his own lam
guage. They were about to venture nearer,
when they saw the proas in the wings Of the
semicircle preparing to make dash, with
the evident intention of intercepting their
return to the ship, seeing which they has
tily drew farther away and were careful
after that to keep the bow of their boat to-
ward the ship, in readiness for immediate
return.
The boat was signaled to return. "Can't
you swim to us9'' they called.
IF I attempt that, they will kill me
with their spears, /" he answered.
"Dive, then, suggested one.
Holden carefully scanned the distance
1t was near q quarter of mile. Hewould
have to swim at least 100 yards under wa
ter before being out of reach Of the deadly
spears, If even then. They could overtake
him in few strokes, and then what had
he to expect but almost certain DEATH The
ship was beginning to move. Again the
boat was signaled to return, and this time
with unmistakaEle impatience Are you
comingfn came from the boat.
There was nosSime to hesitate "Wait
am coming, y he shouted; then breathing
rapidly and deeplya few times he exhaust
ed the last particle Of air from his lungs
and began inhaling the mighty draft that
was to carry him to liberty or death.
This was language the natives under
stood. A movement was made to stay hmm,
but his bare foot was on the gunwale, his
hands were pressed together above his
head, and he swiftly disappeared beneath
the brine. A score of lances were poised
lin readiness to transfix him on his first APP
pearance above water With strained mus
cles they stood gazing where he must soon
appear, each eager to be first to pierce the
deserter through. Anticipation was super
seded by look of disappointment. Then
they laid down their spears, believing the
sea had robbed them Of their intended vic
tim.
Holden had calculated the distance
web, and when he thought himself out OF
range he yet bad strength 70 spare and
stu hep kexs en- EYegy muscle was sx-