The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1898-01-09
THE DESERTERs.

sJaCk ouliVhn anu tne boy Dill were
missing from the ship Good Intent one
morning in the Pacific ocean.
81 must do my best to get Bill back
again, said the mate. "Of course they
started for Taswell's island, and it was so
smooth last night their chance was good
10 reach it. I only hope, for the boys sake,
that the old tub hasn't turned turtle with
'em."
Lying off short distance with our
boats we attempted to open parley with
an army of barbarians who crowded down
to the beach, armed with warclubs and
javellns. Their threatening gestures as
they brandished their weapons admonighed
us Of what we might expect should we at
tempt Judgment in their territory, and
few stones, hurled at as from time to
time warned us to haul off to safer dis
lance.
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 sudden
whether the men are drowned or not.
There 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 cast
ly recognized as the bottom Of our tub.
k~nk IL. 4
near it might well have been composed of
the staves and we at once OWNED that it
had been Shocked" for the sake of the
iron hoops, the only part likely to be
valued by these barbafians.
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
signal from him several men ran to re-
move it and carry it inside the building.
But as they opened the door for that pur-
pose figure pushed by them and darted
out into the open space with loud cry and
frantic gestures.
boy Bill" said half dozen voices.
He was recognized at 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 baffled captain was now at his wits
end. 1t would never do to sacrifice life in
making an attack upon these people at
close quarters, and reluctantly the order
was given to weigh the grapnels and pull
away for our ship in the offing.
We had hardly made half dozen dips
of the oars when the crack of musket
was heard and ball struck in the water
near us. Yells of derision rose on the air
from the whole population, and the des-
perado Sullivan swinging 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.
Lets stand in with the ship and give
them a shot from the big gum" said the
mate. 1--WE can do it safe enough, sir,
think"
II win do it, returned Captain VIII
cox, "even If lose tho ship. Pun ahead
and let's get aboard before the breeze dies
away The scoundrelP'
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 we 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 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 discordant chorus of yells succeed
ed, 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 supplication
"Load up again quickn' said Mr.. Man
chester, now thoroughly excited 1--WE
ratified the bamboo and thatch about their
ears that time know. can see the hole
in the broadside of the house.
But there was no need to fire again. A
group now appeared with the boy Bill in
the center, huTrying him down to the wa
ter side, and tho most frantic signals were
made, inviting communication. Another
group bore the body of the wounded man.
and the women and children formed In
the background of the picture among the
cocoa palms with appraised hands and
piercing cries.
Heading offshore under short sail, but
with the gun still loaded and bearing up
on the landing place, we approached with
the boat as near as was prudent, and our
boy, plunging in, swan out to us and
was heartily greeted by his shipmates. On
the coral slope, at the feet OF the frightened
natives, lay the body of Jack Sullivan, his
face upturned to the blazing tropical sun.
Is he badly hurtY" demanded the mate.
Dead, sir" answered the boy. 1.-THE
ball struck him full in the head. -
"Pull ahead, then, was the order as he
laid the boats head round offshore.
"We've no time TO lose with the ship so
close into the rocks, and they are welcome
to his body If they want it.
The captain shook Bills hand, with a
tear in his eye, when he stood once more
on the ships deck. He said nothing Of
punishment for desertion. He did not
even reproach him, but left him to his
own thoughts.
The lesson had not been lost upon him
Boy Bill is now ship master himself, and
this rash adventure of his boyhood seems
almost like dream TO him. New York