The San Francisco call., 1897-11-28
THE CRUISE OF
THE CALIFORNIA.
CUAPTFR y-Coryright, 1897.

TSynopsis OF preceding chapters - The steam
yacht California having Oh board as part OF her
crew six California boys, has arrived on the coast
Of New Guinea and is about 10 start to make a
trip up a great river inland to rescue a German
sailor who is held a captive by cannibals be-
vond the Skull Mountains On,the eve OF depart
ure native chief has led hostile natives to where
the California has beached for repairs
bait now ensues in which the brave California
boys distinguish themselves fer gallantry.I
THE savages had chosen moonlight in
which to make their attack, because
they thought that the hated white
men would be less able 10 aim their guns
in an uncertain light. In the long
shadows cast by the wooded headlands,
they would be able to come nearer TO the
Yacht before they could be detected than
thew would be able to do by day. The
canoes were surely handled with skill and
the advance against the yacht was ar
ranged with a great deal OF generalship.
First came a long line of war canoes
scattered far apart and aiming to sur
round the Yacht where she lay at anchor
Harry Ostend wanted to nave a stand-up
battle with the savages. and had no idea
of running away. The lesson that he
could teach the savages was one thing.
The test OF the courage and skill OF the
six California boys which the battle would
afford was another
Ostend was not a cruel man. He had
no desire to kill the natives but he knew
very well that he would never be able
20 get the German sailor out OF New
Guinea without trouble.
AS for the rest Of the consideration, 1t
could not matter whether he fought his
first battle here or whether the battle
should take place while he was trying to
make his way up a river to the interior
II it should take place here the savages
who escaped would carry the news on,
and the California would be allowed TO
nroceed without further molestation. This
was based, OF course, upon Ostend's idea
that he would be successful in his hrst
fight. 1t was his idea always that sayages
were no match for white men and boys.
While this is true in some cases, TINS con-
tidence was calculated to cause Ostend 10
nut himself and crew in places where m many
other men would have sought safety In
fight.
When he saw the first line of war
canoes. of which there we're not less than
fftv. he Immediately divided the six Cali
fornia bows into two squads. Three
namely. Binnie, Ned and "Shorty" y"-were
piven q station on the starboard side OF
the Yacht. which was the side next to the
shore. Tom of Fresno, Billy of Oakland
and Sam of Los Angeles were stationed
On the port or seaward side OF the yacht
The crew OF the Yacht numbered, all told,
and including the boys and Harry Ostend,
John Letour, the Australian "black man,
and those who acted as coai-passers, engl-
neers and deck hands, fortv-hve.
They were all young and all had lived
in California Halt a dozen had been
man. of-warsmen and had seen service on
foreign stations They we're fine crew,
and Ostend was justified In casting a
glance of pride upon them as the sound OF
oars told that the savages we're making
their best speed TO reach the yacht. All
at once tue savages began to yell, their
purpose being to draw attention away
from the shore and at the same time to
give signal to tae army OF savages who
were hiding in the forest near the shore
line to advance.
Out from the shadows under the forest
darted, swift as birds on the wing, the
black warriors OF New Guinea. They
scattered along the beach and plunged
boldly into the waves, not needing the
deadly guns of the white men, which now
began to boom. The fire OF the white
men had been held until all the savage:
were in sight. Then suddenly the sharT
and continued rattle of the Maxim gur
awakened the echoes in the forest and sci
fiocks of wild birds, suddenly awakened
into discordant screaming.
The men in the water were hard to hit
but the Maxim gun sent out a perfect hal
of missiles and some of the savages, un
used TO anything like this, turned back
The men and SIX boys on the Iandwart