The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-16
they will attack us before we get to the

they will attack US before we get to the
boat landing"
Fortunately we had taken the advice of
an old quartermaster in the morning, who
had been among those islands before. He
told US that the Malays were a treacherous
lot and that we would be foolish to go
ashore unarmed. Although we had no APP
prehension of any trouble the idea that we
might possibly get into the woods and see
something to shoot at had more weight
than the sailors warning, so we had
slipped our revolvers on to our sword belts.
AS the crowd came angrily toward US
there could be no mistake about their in
tentions. They were undoubtedly hostile.
We looked around the long street for
friendly sail, but not a soul hove in sight.
~ fancy We'll have to engage the
enemy's fleet alone and unsupported,
laughed Daniels.
81 don't think it, any laughing matter"
said l, "but about one thing l charge you
to be careful. Do not shoot until there is
absolute necessity for it. We may keep
those fellows off with our swords, but
should we be compelled to kill them, and
even get on board all right, think Of the
court-martial behind us"
On they came, shouting and gesticulat-
ing, and when they were within about
twenty feet of us we drew our swords.
Every fellow was armed with a kris,
which he fiourished viciously, as if longing
to have the carving of two plump British
ers. Our bold front checked them for a
moment but as 1t was case of about six
to one they plucked up courage and made
another advance.
''Now for our pistols,'' I said to Daniels,
''but don't fire until they are close upon
u.s."
The sight of the revolver-barrels was too
I, e.. n
a rapid and undignified retreat. We lost
no time ourselves in getting to the landing,
where we found our Batavian acquaintance.
We related the adventure to him and he
looked serious. He dined at our mess that
evening and told US many things about the
Malay character, showing that they were
of a very treacherous and revengeful ma
ture.
II should warn you" he said, when
you're ashore after dark TO keep cautious
lookout, because in carrying off that kris
you have offended not alone the owner
but all his relations, and you have been
judged guilty of sacrilege"
A few days after this Daniels and
the chaplain went on botanizing
board prevented me from Joining.
Night, the swift, tropical night, came on,
and began to grow uneasy. The chap
lain had left word that if he was not at the
landing at s O'Clock the ships boat need
not wait for him, as he and Daniels would
come on in one of the natives canoes.
The incident of the kris made me I'M
comfortable, and when two bells went |
called first cutter, after explaining
the situation and obtaining per-
mission from the first lieutenant
Noiselessly as possible we made the
landing, and Coxhedge, brother midship-
man, and also an intimate friend of Dan
iels accompanied me up the long street of
the native village. / had ordered the cox
swain if he heard me blow my whistle
twice to come to the spot as quickly as
possible with his men. All was silent in
the village, and when got to the top of
the long street and not being was to be
seen abroad 1 felt considerably puzzled as
to what to do next. 1t would have been
manifestly absurd just then to search every
house in the village, and, besides, I
had no authority for such proceeding.
While Coxhedge and myself were holding
a council of war and feeling decidedly I'M
comfortable figure glided from behind a
cocoa palm and advanced toward US. Re
membering the Batavian's comments on
the Malay character l drew my pistol and
stepped back few PAGES.
Hold on" whispered Coxhedge, at is a
girl
She came rapidly toward US, and by the
bright starlight l recognized the pretty
face of the girl to whom Daniels had
given the ring. She recognized me also,
and, putting her finger to her throat, she
whispered, Come; they kill" Then
shook her head, putting up two fingers.
'PI tell you what she means, Cox
hedge" said. s'She means that we are
not strong enough. Hurry back to the
landing place as quick as you can and
bring the boats crew up with you. 1t
looks as II we were going to have some bad
work"
Coxhedge darted off like greyhound,
and by the most eloquent and expressive
gestures the girl explained to me that
Daniels and the parson were confined in
hut close by and that they were going to
kill Daniels for desecrating the kris and
send the -parson to prison or up the
country. By this time Coxhedge had re-
turned with the men, who were grinning
all over at the prospect of scrim-
mage. We surrounded the house indicated
by the girl, who drew herself some
distance aside. One whack of the burly
coxswain's fist burst the door in, and there
on the floor lay Daniels and the chaplain,
tightly bound with MANILA ropes and
guarded by three Malays, but not gagged.
Daniels had been cursing ever since their
capture, the chaplain told me afterward,
which occurred just as they were entering
the village to 20 to the boat landing three
hours before. Their guards made no show
of resistance, and for my part l made no
attempt to restrain our fellows from giving
them sound thrashing with our boat
stretchers. AS we brought the rescued
heroes from the cabin 1 told Daniels how
l discovered what had befallen him, and
he declared on the spot that he would
marry the girl offhand and wanted to re-
main back and thank her, but | insisted
upon getting out of the place as quickly as
possible, and when we reached the boat
landing there stood our Malay heroine.
Daniels clasped her in his arms without a
moments hesitation, and swore that if she
came aboard the ship with him he should
marry her there and then.
"Why not have the ceremony take place
here ?" said /, ''his reverence is handy and
you might as well have the thing over at
once"
"Tll be hanged if 1 don't, if she'll have
me-" cried Daniels, and 1 must say the
maiden looked very willing.
On the following day the ship was ran
sacked for beads and trinkets and things
which might be acceptable to the chiefs
daughter. She was taken on board and all
the youngsters at once fell in love with
her. And when three weeks afterward we
cai1a6 away for tho G,11f If