Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-05-01

were shot tumbled into the water,
told how effective had been the fire. A
furious rain of blows from muslet butts
and dubbed rifles and Delaying pins beat
off the few who had secured a hold on
the Valentines rail and were attempt
ing TO reach the deck.
Aft the attacking party had met with
a similar fate. The Malays made a
dash to swarm up the vessels side just
as the fire was opened from the bow;
but they got so warm reception from
the revolvers Of the captain and first
mate that the engineers and five men,
who stood ready to repel boarders with
whatever weapon they could pick up,
had no opportunity to make themselves
useful. The canoe, with at least half
it's party shot, was turned about and
padded away with speed which
showed the terror of its occupants.
The attack on the Valentine had been
complete failure.
Capt. James CHEEKY voice was now
heard calling out for information as to
how much damage had been done; and
when he learned that not man on
board had got so much as scratch, he
fairly shouted for Joy.
1--WE made it too warm for them that
time, Mr.. Jackson!" he exclaimed tri-
umphantly.
yes" returned Jackson, without en-
thusiasm.
"Why, what's the matter, man?''
cried the captain.
Nothing, only we've not done with
them yet" said the mate.
Come, you don't think that?"
81 do, sir!"
They've had too bad licking" said
the captain decidedly; and as if that
ended the matter, he left the bridge.
A grim smile fitted over Jacksoh's
face; but he went about his duties
without word on the subject till noon
Then he lit his pipe and found a seat be-
side the captain, who presently re.
| marked;
"rhey say they can't finish work or
F., aDe shaft so that we can go ahead till
tomorrow morning?"
"Yes."
The captain had something on his
/ mind. you really don't think there,
any further danger from those yellow
rascals, do your" he inquired
u don't think there is" returned the
mate; II know there is. They'll be or
us again tonight, and there'll be two OF
three for every one of them that trset
the trick this morning. They know
we're in fix, and they have found out
we haven't any heavy guns. Do yor
think they'll let prize like the Valen
The escape them. What if couple O
dozen of them are killed? That won't
stop them. Mark my words, we'll have
to fight for our lives tonight"
| The captain looked grave. Cant W.
drive them off if they do try to boart
again?" he asked.
The mate raised his brows. "Yol
know as much about that as | do.
have my doubts. But, of course, In
hoping I'm wrong" Then his fac,
krotted in hard frown for moment
but cleared as quickly; the next mo
ment he sprang to his feet.
at might be done! Itmight be done!
he exclaimed.
| The action aroused the captain from
the abstraction into which he bat
| fallen.
The mate leaned toward him pulling
on his pipe in short excited putfs, ant
explained the plan which had just com,
to him.
For two hours before shutdown all tn,
deckhands were engaged in an occupa
ton rather strange on a vessel which
was hundreds of miles from port. They
were partly unloading the ship.
When darkness fell, the Valentin,
was slowly rising and dropping in
gentle swell. The current, such as
there was, set in toward the islands
from which the Malays had come
There was no wind. As soon as nigh
had blotted che islands from sight, tn,
first mate went forward. Ranged alons
uecll was a couple of dozen barrels o
Gil.
The donkey engine, by means of ;
sling was bringing up more barrels
from the cargo stored in the hold.