Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-03-02
THE D%EsERTERs.

pAN s'S wy Diil Ntlt
missing from the ship Good Intent one
morning in the Pacific ocean.
II must do my best to get Bill back
again, " said the mate. "Of course they
started for Taswell's island, and it was SC
smooth last night their chance was good
to reach it. l only hope, for the boys sake,
that the old tub hasn't turned turtle with
\ 'em."
Lying off a short distance with oul
boats, we attempted to open a parley with
an army Of barbarians who crowded down
to the beach, armed with warclubs and
%javelins. Their threatening gestures as
they brandished their weapons %admonished
us of what we might expect should wo at.
tempt a Judgment in their territory, and a
few stones, hurled at us from time to
time, warned us to haul off to q safer dis.
tance.
II don't like to give it up without learn
ing something about the fate Of the boy, %
he said as he took the little telescope from
under the stern sheets and brought it up
to his eye. GAS for old Jack, he might
work out his own salvation for aught !
care. Hal" he exclaimed, with a sudden
lighting up of his face. "The tubs landed,
| whether the men are drowned or not.
There's the head Of It,"
A building much larger than the ordi-
nary huts Of the village stood a short dis
tance inland, and set up endwise against
the wall was something dark, of an oval
form, like an immense shield or target.
| With the aid of the spyglass this was east.
l w rQO0rvniNn1 ~ TIM 10%knx, ~ ~,,n k,,I,
What appeared like q little pile of wood
near it might well hav. been composed of
the slaves, and we at once OWNED that 1t
had been "~shooked" for the sake of the
iron hoops, the only part likely to be
valued by these barbarians.
The attention of the king was attracted
to his carelessness in having left the head
exposed to view, as he noticed the little
excitement among US in the boats. At a
signal from him several men ran to re-
move it and carry 1t inside the building.
But as they opened the door for that pur-
pose a figure pushed by them and darted
out into the open space with a loud cry and
frantic gestures.
"Boy Bill!' said half q dozen voices.
He was recognized at a glance. We had
no doubt that Sullivan was also inside,
though he probably remained there at his
own desire. The boy plainly showed his
eagerness to escape and join his shipmates.
Our baffied captain was now at his wits
end. It would never do to sacrifice life in
making All attack upon these people at
close quarters, and reluctantly the order
was given to weigh the grapnels and pull
away for u ship in the ofing.
We had hardly made a half dozen dips
Of the oars when the crack of q musket
was heard and q ball struck in the water
ear us. Yells Of derision rose on the air
from the whole population, and the des-
perado Sullivan, swinging a musket aloft,
Joined in the insulting cry OF defiance.
Perched on the roof of the council house
he had fred the shot at us as soon as he
saw we had abandoned our undertaking.
The boy Bill was not to be seen.
; "Let's stand In with the ship and give
them a shot from the big gun, y said the
mate. "We can do 1t safe enough, sir, l
think"
Twill do IT," returned Captain Will
COX, "even If I lose the ship. Pull ahead
and let's get aboard before the breeze dies
away! The scoundrel!"
The "big gun" Of which the mate spoke
was merely an old six FOUNDER which
could only be effective at pretty short
range. 1t was necessary to approach very
near the land, but favored with a fine
working breeze VIC ventured to run the
risk. The natives took the alarm as they
saw the ship steadily holding her way al
most to the outer limit Of the reef, and
when her broadside swung to bear upon
the beach and the word was given to fire
not Il human being was to be seen.
The gun was trained as accurately as
we knew how upon the large building, and
the mate applied the match, grinding his
teeth as he did SO. AS its sharp report died
away a discordant chorus Of yells succeed
cd, and a number Of men poured out of
the building, clustering around one who
seemed to have been wounded. Others
were also seen rushing from various quar-
tiers, and several ran toward the shore
with gestures Of fear and duplication.
LOAD up again quick p said Mr.. Man
chester, now thoroughly excited. "We
ratified the bamboo and thatch about their
ears that time l know. can see the hole
In the broadside Of the house."
But there was no need to fire again. A
group now appeared Win tne BOY bill III
tne cshter, nurrylne MN oown 10 Gfe wa
Cer slue' anu Cne lnosu lraneic signals were
Ilauc' .nvielne Aunica Announcer
eroup pore tne pody OF tne man,
ana the women n ohiidren formed In
Sne oacKgfouno OF the picture among the
cocoa palms with appraised hands and
piercing cries.
He&ding offshore under short sail, but
WIN ohs gun SUN 'oaueu anu bearing up
Oh the lanulhg pace, we approacleu WIN