The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-25
SOME MANILA PRISONERS.
HOW THE YANKEE SAILORS OUT
WITTED THEIR SPANISH JAILORS
BN A T.. Chiffon.
Copyright, 1895 by 5. S. Mcclure Coz.

Copyright, 1898. by s s. Mcclure Coz.
T.
Ralph Hill could tie ropes in the most in
tricate knots. He could whittle a long
chain with paddock and swivel out of a
single piece of pine. He could build full
rugged ships inside narrow-necked bot
ties He could solve mysterious puzzles
which he said he had picked up in Hong
Kong and Calcutta. The ease with which
he freed himself from the fifty feet of rope
which we wound around him was wonder
full. So We boys had reason to believe all
the stories which he told of his ten years
before the mast"
His vivid account Of his hazardous ex-
perience in the Spanish prison at Manila
has always made Manila and the Philip
pines seem very familiar TO me On
certain voyage around the Cape of Good
Hope, Ralph had a cruel captain, who,
not content with the usual methods of
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES down the topmast,
striking the sailors with Delaying pins,
etc, had given them starvation diet
Ralph and his messmates saw only death
before them unless they could secure nour-
lshlng food. The ships provisions were
kept IN the lazaret a the stern of the
boat, joining the cabin. For unarmed
men to secure it by force or by eludine
the Vigilant watch on deck in order to
reach that provision box seemed equally
impossible But Ralph had a plan. and
as he was willing to carry il into effect
the others were willing to help. His was
no less scheme than to go after the pro
VISIONS by a water route. A line was
fastened to the bob chain. which in all
vessels holds the bowsprit down TO the
nun, at the cutwater. This line extended
on the Windward side TO the stern. When
all was ready Ralph let himself down
INTO the water from the bowsprit and slip-
pea along the line to the rudder chains.
which all vessels of thirty years ago made
the rudder fast to the stern Thus In case
OF being unshipped in a storm It would
not De lost. In the old pattern vessels
win square sterns there were two win
doWs, for light and air, into the cabin
Whicn in those days were arranged under
the deck. "'i0ei
Hearing no sound within Ralph pulled
hlmseh up by the chain to the vi,doyT
hanging in that perilous position for a
moment TIL he could get breath he
worked slowly through the window into
the CABIN and found the lazaret where tha
stores were kept. He could hear the watch
on oeck ana the captain snoring in his
room close at hand. This did NOT hin
der his filling the gunnysack which he
had brought with him with the choice
canned meats and other dainties of the
shlps stores. He crossed the cabin
squrmed through the window and let
himself into the water by the rudder
chain. Crouching under the bo,vsnrit
m oH
his chums waiting for the signal Ralph
tled himself and his load to the line
gave the signal and slowly against The
waterward pressure of the water he was
drawn to the bow Safely on deck
again with his load of eatables, and Sc
cure In the forecastle-how royalty the
poor fellows Jared. how hearty the
praise for Ralph and how rich the
joke at the old captains expense
The good things from the lazaret
lasted for some time. and when hunger
again faced them, the trip through the
water under the very eyes of the watch
on deck was made safely again. And
another load of daintes found their
way to a place Well known, to starving
sailor lads.
Several expeditions were made sue
cessfully, though once Ralph returned
empty handed, for a glance through
the window had revealed the watch in
the moonlight, close to the cabin hatcn
way. BY this it was known that the
theft of the provisions had been discov-
cred, and that extra precautions were
being taken. The captain was greatly
puzzled to know how the provisions
could diminish 50 fast, without p
parent cause. And he knew that he
could trust the watch and no one could
pass him on deck.
Ralph did not dare undertake the ex-
petition again until actual starvation was
before him and his mates. With great
anxiety he passed along the line mounted
to the window and found his way to the
storeroom. He found the provisions were
nailed up. But his heavy sheathknife
had been used before, and with this he
pried off the cover of a case containing
cans of salmon. He packed these and
such vegetables as he could find in his
sack, but was startled at hearing some
one in the cabin.
His heart stopped beating for a moment
and he grasped his knife determined to
sell his life dearly, but he felt easier at
once, as the uncertain sounds in the cabin
took the form of the heavy regular breath
ing of some one asleep. Ralph took cour
age, and looking into the room, saw in
the dim light the first mate, who had
been detailed to watch the lazaret, sound
asleep. Hardened as he was to every
manner of danger, Ralph found that walk
ing across that cabin floor and squeez-
ing through the window, a terrible ex-
perience. 1t was safely done however
Another glad welcome was given the hero,
and a feast which seemed fit for a king
was spread.
Now let's top off this banquet with a
case of peaches" said Ralph. TT was
from the caps private collection"
clip off the top of her with your knife,
Ralph" said big Bill Raynor from Sag
Harbor, land Wen eat to Caps health:
we won't have another chance SOON
Ralph took the can and felt for the knife
at his belt, but the can fell from hjs hand
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