Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-10-31
KIDNAPPED.
By WILL LISENBEE.
[conYrieht. 1896, by the Author.l

"Perhaps the strangest adventure 1
ever had during my 20 years upon the
sea, said Captain Nevins, "was during
the summer of 1858. Twas Is years
old at the time and was living with my
parents in San Francisco
"My chief delight in those days was
the study of navigation, Of which l
never grew tired. Ny father, who was a
master of that science, being retired
sea captain, took great pains to crafty
my desire for knowledge in that direc-
tion, and in order to afford me chance
to pursue my studies he made arrange
ments to send me on voyage to Hong
kong on the Jeanette.
"The Jeanette was commanded by
Captain Guy Wentworth, an old friend
of my father, and as he had always
been kind to me I anticipated most
pleasant voyage.
81 was provided with set Of navi-
gators instruments, including a costly
watch, and was to keep a reckoning
throughout the voyage.
"In addition to the ships crew there
were on board the Jeannette about 20
Cinnamon, who had made large sums
Of money in the goldfelds and were
returning to their native land to enjoy
their wealth. Their money, which was
nearly all in gold dust and nuggets,
was stored on board the ship.
"Among the sailors on board the
Jeanette was a man of the name Of
Jack Peters. He could not have been
less than 30 years of age, tall, raw
boned, with complexion as brown as
an autumn leaf. From the very first he
seemed to take great liking to me and
seemed greatly interested in my prog
ress in learning navigation. At every
opportunity he would engage me in con.
versation, yet could not make up my
mind to like him.
"There was something about the
man that caused me to distrust him in
spite of his evident disposition to make
me his friend.
"We had been at sea nearly five
weeks when one night, just as I was
preparing to turn in, Peters came to my
room and asked me to go with him.
Joe Braddon, he said, who was taking
his turn at the wheel, wanted to speak
to me.
81 thought it an odd request as 1
had had but slight acquaintance with
Braddon, but I followed him, little
dreaming of the startling events that
were soon to take place.
"The night was intensely dark, and
heavy mist hung over the sea. I had
not taken dozen steps after leaving
my room when I was suddenly seized
from behind by strong arms and borne
to the deck. I was about to make an
outcry when hand was placed over
my mouth and harsh voice warned
me that if / made the least alarm I
would be knocked on the head and
thrown into the sea.
'tThis induced me to remain quiet
while my hands were securely tied be-
hind my back. Then some one took me
from the deck, and, slipping over the
rail, descended into boat that had
been lowered alongside the vessel 1
was thrust down in the bottom Of the
boat and commanded to keep quiet upon
peril Of my life.
$50 astonished and bewildered had 1
been at the sudden assault that it was
some time before could realize what
was taking place. I sat there like one
stupefed, huddled down, while dozen
of the sailors descended from the ship
and took their places in the boat, and
the ship swept on her course and was
soon lost to sight in the gloom.
"'What does this mean:' cried as
soon as I dared speak why have I
been taken from the ship:'
"'We'll let you know all soon
enough, replied the voice Of Peters.
We've got use fer you, AL if you do the
right thing we'll treat you all fair.
"'An if he DON'T said one of the
sailors in threatening tone.
"We'll feed him to the sharks, ,
finished Peters in calm voice.
"Some of the men now hoisted the
sail. and the boat was turned to the
northwest. Ny hands were then un-
bound, as I was free to move about the
boat as 1 pleased, but was cautioned
to make no noise in case we were pur-
sued by the ship. For nearly an hour
we continued our course in silence; then
Peters said:
I reckon thar amt no use in dis
guising matters, now that we've got the
boy in our power. The fact is, he con-
tinued, addressing me, we've jist re-
lieved the Jeanette Nv O little Nv her
gold-about 500, 900, reckon-and we
want you to help us git away with it.
The gold all belonged to them heather
Cinnamon, an it didn't look like the
fair thing fer them to take it out Nv the
country where they made it, an we de-
cided to bring part Nv it back-kind "
export duty, you see. Now, if you'll
help us to git to FAmosa We'll do the
fair thing by you, an you'll git your
part Nv the gold.
"I don't want any of it, replied
Indignantly. 4 will not be party to
your robbing scheme, but suppose I
can't help myself about assisting you to
~.