The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-05-30

was wrong, when Jackson laid a hand
on his arm. ''There they comet" he
said.
Stealing into sight, though as yet very
indistinct, both men could see half d
dozen specks, which, as they looked.
grew larger. They were almost abreast
Of each other, seemingly, and were adj
yancing fast. The captain had scarcely
noted the absence of jackson, who
slipped silently from his side, when, be,
hind the first group of canoes, he made
out a second. Though the nearest were
too far off as yet to be seen clearly, he
knew that they were crammed with the
yellow-skinned savage rascals. When
they struck the edge Of the expanse of
oily water the captain noted that they
stopped; for a couple of minutes they
remained ~motionless. He could notdis-
tinguish the men in the canoes, but he
was sure that they had remarked the
curions condition of the seas surface
and We're examining it; but plainly they.
We're satisfied with their inspection, for
they shortly came on again.
Presently they were within a hum
dred yards of the ship. There the first
group waited for the remainder. When
the latter had come up the captain
counted IA long canoes in all. TheI
We're made of large followed logs and
held a dozen men each.
Then the little feet separated and
swung out into two wings, one making
for the bow of the Valentine, with tho
intention of rounding the vessel and re-
pcating the tactics of the first attempt.
the other sweeping toward the stern
with a similar cnd:in view.
Then a spark appeared close to the
hulwarks; another glowed from further
aft. A moment later two buckets Of
cotton waste, saturated with oil and
blazing f~uriously, were pitched over.
board. As they touched the sea, 20 fee.
OF more from the side of the Valentine.
a flame shot up from the water. NOT
high, but of prodigious t-ierceness-
Swiftly it spread over the sea in every
direction but one, a low wall of fire
sweeping onward from the shin. IN a
few seconds it had completely enyeloped
the fleet of canoes. Then a dire veil ~
terror burst forth from the Malavs. In
the weird light of the burning oil their
dark forms could be seen confusedIv
moving about. But this lasted for Sc
short a time that those watching on the
Valentine had scarce space to take in the
scene before the tragedy had been en-
acted. In quick succession the canoes
We're overturned by the struggles Of
their occupants, and the men prcctpi.
tated into the sea But ii was not the
element with which the natives were
almost as familiar as fishes. It WI 4
binding sea of fire; and the shrieks Of
the wretches told Of their fate. The |
flames quickly exhausted the layer of
oil, which was, of course, very thin. But
those whom the fire left in a condition
to keep afoat were, in most cases. SO
parolyzed by terror that they soon went
from their inability ia make useof
their limbs.
Away to the port the fire was stiIl
burning family in patches. But il had
done its work. Only the dark forms 81
the canoes drifting about upon the vva-
ter were left to show what had hap
Whether any Of the Malays got ashore
the Valentines crew and officers never
knew. They were rather sickened b.
the scene they had witnessed. Bur
there came to each tn thought Of what
would have leen his lot # the crew who
lad 50 lately persisted had once rot q
.oothold on the deck.
F.c. WILLIAMS.