The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-07
PHILIPPINE ADVENTURE
AN AMERICAN SKlPPER'S STARTLING
EXPERIENCE WITH MALAY PIRATES.


Who Intended Him ne n Sacrifice to
Their Native Deity-How He Escaped
There lives on the Hawleyton road,
six miles from Binghamton, relates
the New York Press, a man who
passed through hair raising expert
ence in one of the islands of the Phil
ippine archipelago thirty years ago,
the details of which have never before
been made public. Tho man is Eras-
tus Hepworth, an old skipper, and
though now bowed with the weight of
years, he still has keen recollection
and wildly recounts his tale of the
months OF horror which he spent on q
thickly wooded isle in the Pacific.
In 1867 Hepworth was a skipper of
small sailing vessel that left San
francisco for Hong Kong. At that
time men were scarce and wages high.
so Hepworth was obliged to take an
ill-assorted crew; but though of vii
famous countenance, they behaved
themselves in an unexceptional man
ner until the China Sea was reached.
Then mutiny was unexpectedly de-
veloped, and Hepworth, supported by
only one man, an officer, found him
self confronted by a blood thirsty set
of cutthroats, who demanded tina he
lower the Stars and Stripes and raise
the black flag. 1t afterward developed
that large number of the crew had
served on Malay pirate ships, and that
by threats and promises of reward
had won over the minority.
Their demand was, of course. re-
fused, and the officer fred pistol,
wounding one of the mob. There was
arush forward, and he was knocked
down and cast overheard, food for the
sharks that had followed the ship.
Hepworth was bound and consuIta-
ton held rs to what disposal should
be made of him. The Malays favored
sending him following the officer, but
the minority of American sailors in
sisted that his life should be spared,
and he was finally put boat, given n
pair OF oars and a small supply of
food, and told if he would steer in a
certain direction he would reach one
of the Philippine Islands.
After thirty.eight hours on the
ocean, Hepworth reached n thickly
wooded island. which he subsequently
determined was of the group lying be-
tween Nindano and Leyle. There was
a dense, tropical vegetation. but when
he pulled his boat up on the beach no
sign Of life. Besides the provisions
he had iii old-fashioned fowliug piece
and flask of powder. The weapon
he left IN the boat on the beach, and
with the other packages started toward
the wood. He had gone but short
distance when a nude and chattering
savage sprang from behind n huge
palm tree, threatening him with
spear. Almost instantly he was sur
rounded by yelling, hooting crowd
of savages, and death seemed near.
However, one of the mob, apparently
the chief, interfered, and he was es-
corted inland through a trackless IN
dergrowth, until a village of huts,
well up in the mountains, was reached.
Here he was tied to tree and the
chief held long consultation with his
followers. Then Hepworth's hands
were unbound, he was escorted to n
hut adjoining that occupied by the
chief and shown every courtesy. AS
time wore on and he picked mp a little
of the language, he was Mortified to
learn that he, with two other vic
tins, prisoners captured on a neigh
boring island, were held for human
sacrifice. 1t was the custom of this
tribe to select prisoners taken in bat
tie or captured by other means for
sacrifices to their gods. The victims
would sometimes be kept whole
year, and during that time were treated
with every respect, rich food, flowers
and everything that could make life
In these savage wilds pleasant being
lavished upon them.
Hepworth had been with the tribe
about. eight months when he learned
that the time of one Of the victims was
drawing to a close, and on a certain
day the sacrifice would be performed. |
Once devoted to the sacrifice. there
was no escape for the captive, aud at |
the expiration OF the time he was
seized by the medicine man or priest
OF the tribe and escorted mn the |
mountain in plain view Of the huts |
and assembled villagers, to a spot on |
promontory where n stone altar had |
been erected. Here two other medi- |
cine men, striped and painted until |
their natural responsiveness became |
something fearful, we're on hand to |
assist. They seized the victim and |
laid him on his back, while the chief. |
with a quick pass Of his flint knife. |
opened the breast ind tore out the /
bleeding, palpitating heart. holding /
it first toward the sun, then toward |
tho village, and finally casting it into
the sea.
This ended the ceremonies for the |
day, but the most CHASTITY we're yet to |
come, for at evening q huge fire was .
lighted, songs were sung, and the |
medicine men, with the chief and his
followers, sat down to feast off the |
body OF the victim, which had been T.
roasted TO a turn. When Hepworth /
saw the sacrifice and its attendant
orgies aud realized the awful position
in which he was placed, he became
sick with horror. Escape was out of /
the question, for not only was he out /
Il the track OF vessels, bat carefully
watched
After many sleepless nights he de.
vised plan that might prove success
full. II was his only chance aud he
had to work in secret. He was