The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-04-17
SAVED BY FIRE AND OIL
How the Ship Valentine Repelled
a Fleet of Marauders.
OIL Upon the Waters-To Quell. Not tae
Fury of the Waves, But the Ferocity
of Savages-The Mates In
genious Scheme.
COPYRIGHT. 1885,


81 don't like the look of things" said
the first mate of the Valentine. The re-
mark was addressed to the captain. w no
stood beside the senior officer on the
bridge.
The Valentine" an iron steamer, of
1000 tons, had, that afternoon, frac-
tured her propeller shaft. 1t was in the
Malay Archipelago. Steaming too close
to one of the numerous islands, the
screw had encountered a spur of an
outlying coral reef. The shock was SCI
we're, and the shaft had been unable to
stand the strain. The examination
made by the first engineer showed that
it would take good many hours to re-
pair the damage. Meantime, the only
thing to be done was to lay to. Shell
tered by long line of islands, which
showed, some close at hand, some dim
ly in the distance. the vessel found COM
Portable anchorage.
1t was not this which troubled the
first mate. Many years of experience in
these seas had taught him that among
these islands crippled vessel, unless
heavily armored, was like a sheep amid
pack of wolves. More than one ugly
story was current of the fate which had
befallen trading ships so placed at the
mercy of the islanders; nor was Capt.
James unaware of the danger. How
ever, he put bold face on it.
Il know what you mean, Mr.. Jack
son." he said. "But there's no use of
borrowing trouble. We shall get off by
not have been observed" With that he
turned on his heel and went below. But
the first mate shook his head doubt
fully. He felt certain that they had
lseen seen, though he could not have
brought forward the least evidence to
back up his opinion. And his forebod-
ings were not unfounded.
The work of repairing the broken
shaft went ahead steadily, but slowly.
On deck double watch was stationed.
Arms even laid in readiness along the
shelter of the bulwarks. The officers,
in turn, walked the bridge all night.
But it was as clear as a bell overhead,
and absolute quiet prevailed until the
gray hour of dawn.
Then the first mate, who was leaning
with his arms bent on the rail of the
bridge, suddenly heard whisper just
below him. 1t was the boatswain's
mate. Darby, forward, says he thinks
he sees something coming out of the
shadow of the island off the first quar-
ter" he said in low tones.
The first mate turned and glanced
Bearchingly in the direction Indicated
For a moment he could see nothing but
the dull glitter of the water, rising and
falling with the swell. A half mist was
rising from the oceans surface. But
presently, on this background of gray,
he detected two, three and finally four
spots of darker color. What they were
his experience instantly told him,
though his eyes did not.
Call the men up. Clark" he ordered,
in resolute voice; land send message
to the captain. Divide along the port
and starboard quarters. Send the en-
gineer and his men aft. See that the men
are all ready. They'll close in on us on
the chains on either bow. But fire not
a shot until you hear the word from the
bridge. Then give it to them. If we
can drive them off this time, we may be
able to get out of here before they get
together enough to make another at
tack. Be lively. nowi"
In . couple of minutes Capt. James