Rock Island Argus., 1898-05-25


ly allowed two ships flying the American
flag to go past us and sail inland. We were
almost positive they were slavcrs, but
managed to control ourselves until the
proper timo.
"Tho fact that the Marion had sailed
away from the coast and that my vessel,
the Antelope, had not molcsted them,
made tho slayers bold, and they took little
pains to conceal their identity.
"When tho Marion returned, the two
slave ships bad reached the height of navi
cation on the Kongo river and were
caught like rats in n trap. Wo had re-
coived Information that Mt least 1000
slaves wcro on hand ready to bo loaded ON
tho two vessels, and we were all sure Of
capturing big prize money.
Before making the attack on the slav-
ers the Marion and Antelope came to an
chor off Sharks point just ut the entrance
to the river, whore the captains Of both
VESSELS decided upon plan of operation.
1T was eventually agreed that the Ma
rion, being sailing vessel, should remain
where she was and guard the entrance to
the river, while the Antelope. being a
steamer of good speed, should assume as
much as possible tho appearance Of an
American vessel, proceed up the river and
capture tho slavers.
= when all was ready the stars and
stripes were hoistcd over the Antelope and
Second Lieutenant Whiting of the Marion
was put In command. This bravo officer
was the Rear Admiral Whiting who died
short time ago. \ fully equipped cutter
and crew from the Marion were detailed for
service on our vessel OF course there was
a good deal of growing on the part Of the
boys who had TO remain behind, but this
was oil mado up later on.
"As we had been up the river many
times before, our captain knew every part
of it. Consequently we mado tho best part
of the journey at night with lights out,
and fortunately had tho wind against us,
so the humping of our paddles did not
alarm the slayors. When we reached
point whero we could see their lights, We
camo to standstill and then sent lines
ashore and laid up for tho night behind
the shelter Of point of land thickly COW
cred with palms and tropical vegetation.
This spot was known as punta de Lima.
From whoro we woro tied up we could
walk along the shoro for short distance
and get q plain view of tho slavcrs. Both
were big three inasted ships Of at least
1000 tons each, which In those days was
monster craft They made Il beautiful
picture rs they lay. on the placid water in
the silence Of the suitry ;ropic night But
when we had listened few moments we
found 1t was not all silence. The sound OF
q guitar and dancing feet reached our
ears, mingled with ribald songs and the
clinking Of glasses. Slavers always had
plenty Of money and their sidctoards were
loaded down with tho best to be had.
When oil was looking well with them,
wine flowed like water.
"Of course nothing could be done that
night but what we had seen had satisfied
us that tho slavers had not the least idea
of our presence.
st was decided not to make the attack
until We had seen something that would
be discriminating. We had not long to
wait. Before the sun was an hour high
next morning the slavers had begun the
work Of loading.
zone part Of the crew was sent ashore
TO get the slaves out Of the corrals, another
took them out to the ships in boats and O
third remained on board to stow them
away.
"From the first tho air was filled with
vhe cries and lamentations Of the poor ne
groes. Tho slave drivers were not affected
however. for they used the whip on tn,
slightest provocation, and many a pool
wretch was carried aboard with his bach
dripping with blood. Here he was thrus
down into the stiiling hold, and II b
showed the slightest insubordination wa
put In chains.
"Ali this we could plainly see through
. glass from our sheltered position on th'
opposite shore. Nothing more was neces
sary. The attack would be made at once
1T SO happened. however, that tn
slaver's captain became suspicious Of some
thing down our wny. Possibly wreatl
of smoke attracted his attention, or 1t ma,
be that some one ashore had seen US an,