The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-05
SAVAGE FILIPINOS
Surrounded Lighthouse and starVa-
ton stared Spanish Keepers in the
Fac,,-ReIicved by British Ship.

Surrounded Lighthouse and StarVa-
ton Stared Spanish Keepers In the
Face-Relicved by British Ship.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Aug. All
the captain OF the British ship Gloos-
cap, now in port from the Philippines,
ever undertakes to write book Of his
adventures while on the long and EVENT.
full voyage which terminated yesterday,
it would without doubt discount all
previous attempts of Clark Russell.
Fenimore Cooper, Captain Marryat and
in fact the entire category Of the au-
thors OF sea tales.
The course OF the Glooscap after leav-
ing Ilollo was through the Sulu SEQ to-
ward the Balabac passage. the usual
route pursued homeward bound vessels.
Navigation through these intricate
channels and among the maze OF Islands
which go to make up that archipelago is
very dangerous and dreaded by mari
nerS the world over, as the bones Of
many good ship which lies rotting on
the sharp reefs bear silent witness to
Its peril. Not far from these waters the
Earl OF Hopeton, outward bound from
Philadelphia, found her last resting
place. Captain Watson approached
the passage warily, taking no chances
which might endanger the safety OF the
ship.
April 2 the lookout missed the light on
Cape Melville island. The captains at
tention was called and the ship was
stopped.
Signals were distinguished on the
lighthouse reading I'VE need assist
ance."
The Glooscap after drifting shoreward
slowly was hove to, about mile from
the beach. Night closed in with the
rapldIty which characterlZes Its advent
in tropical latitudes. There was no
moon and 1t was very dark.
Captain Watson an0 his officers were
at loss to understand the appeal for
assistance displayed from the lighthouse
and in view Of the wild character Of the
country and Its Inhabitants he was re-
luctant to order boat ashore during
the night. Nevertheless after a con-
sultntion with his men, he found no
lack OF volunteers and the cutter was
accordingly manned.
The lonely tower at close range, was
found to be situated on a low blum. lOO
yards from the sea. In the background
was a high wooded country. There
was no sign of life either In the build
ing or It's surroundings. The desola-
ton was complete.
II was necessary to force open the
door OF the lighthouse. Within were
found three keepers. Weak, emaclated
and helpless. through starvation, they
were scarcely able TO answer inteill-
gently the questions put by Captain
Watson.
The men were Spaniards and they told
terrible tale Of privatlons endured
during the past months.
In that time the little island was
completely In the hands Of the hostile
Fillplnos. The latter killed on all the
Spanish soldiers and their sovereignty
was complete and undlsputed. The iso-
lated position OF the lighthouse caused
1t to escape the attention of the rebels.
In the meantime. however, provisions
began to run out and the situation Of
the unfortunate keepers became desper-
ate.
Fearing to venture into the country
for supplies they boarded their slender
stock OF food to the extreme limit, sub
siSting on only one-quarter Of their us
uaI daily allowance. Toward the last,
about a week before the arrival Of the
Glooscap, the last morsel had been con-
sumel.
To the horror Of Captain Watson fur
Their inquiry on his part revealed the
fact that he men had been driven as
last resource to drink the nauseatlng
oil used In the lamp. This had failed
them. too, which fact accounted for the
beacOn's being extinguished.
Captain Watson would have taken
them on board the GlOoscap. but after
he had explained TO them that Temporal
ry quiet had been established In that
portion OF the Islands. they decided TO
remain with their charge. They were
furnished with n supply Of provisions,
but there was no oil which could be
spared from the stores on the Glooscap.
The ship weighed anchor the follow
ing morning. On arrival Mt Batavin,
Java, Captain Watson reported the In
cldent to the British consul. The mat
ter has been referred to General Otis.
the military governor Of the Philippines.
on board the GlOoscap are five Phil
ippine Islanders who took refuge there
on during the Siege OF IlOilo by the
American army. One OF these men, n
modern AeneaS, carried his father from
the blazing city on his back. The old
man, however. became separated from
him and his subsequent fate Is un-
known.
Captain Watson, of the Glooscap. said
that his vessel was lying In the bay
while all the exciting scenes on shore
were being enacted by the contending
forces. He thinks that a much great
er area Of the city must have been
burned over than has been reported.
The refugees who evacuated the city
sought shelter on the various ships In
the harbor. Those who came to the
Glooscap are bright and intelligent
looking lot. Their fear OF n return to
the devastated town wns 80 great that
Captain Watson shipped them as sail
ora. They have since performed their
duties in a very satisfactory manner.