El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-06-16
THE ADVENTURE OF
THE ACH|NESE PIRATES.
By WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.

Copyright. 1860. by William Murray Gray
don-l
The British steamship Empress,
bound from Achin to- Penang, was lei
surely blowing her. way along the Achi-
nese coast. In the far distance, scarce
ly visible to the naked eye, the port OF
Bala was a dusky blur between yellow
sand and blue water. There the vessel
was to touch briefly, and then she
would veer around and strike across
the strait of Malacca TO her destina-
ton.
1t was a glorious day i'll July, an hour
after breakfast, and as yet the suns
rays were tempered with some degree
of moderation. OF the fifty odd pas
sengers the greater part were on deck,
strOlling and chatting under the wei
come shade of the awnings Their va
ried costumes. contrasting with the at
tire of the native and English crew and
the uniforms of the ships officers.
made a pretty picture of color. The
Empress carried a valuable cargo, in
Guiding 4 considerable sum of money
In gold. Occupying a sheltered spot
near the bridge was a passenger to
whom liberty of movement was denied
namely. Il beautiful, full grown SUI
matran panther, who chafed and sulk-
ed in a stout wooden cage.
The beast had been purchased for a
song at Achin, and it's present owner
was none other than Matthew Quin.
He had been travelling about in the
southeast for several months. making
@. frequent shipments of animals to his
firm, and was now on his way to Pc
nang, where he intended to remain for
a fortnight. He was leaning against
the rail, conversing quietly with Cap
tain Hunter and putting at the black
ened pipe that was his inSeparable
companion. Many a glance of curiosity
and admiration was ieveled at him, for
it had become generally known that
the why little man in white linen was
Karl Hamrach e Co.'S famous agent
Suddenly a splash and 4 yell were
heard, followed by a noisy commOtion
among the passengers. Then arose
that Ominous cry SO fraught with ter
ror at sea. Man overboardP' The
luckless fellow was one of the native
crew who had lost his balance while
leaning over the rail to fill Il water
bucket. He was already off the YES
sells stern. and from his feeble strug-
giles it appeared that he was either I'M
able to swim or was helpless with fear
ITS Salak. the Malayr' exclaimed
Captain Hunter rs he made Il frantic
gesture to the stecrsman on the bridge
Poor devil. I'm afraid Wen lose him
Not if | can save him said Quin.
Lower n boat at once
Stop, forbid it. Don't risk your
life!' cried the captain.
The warning came too late. Quin
jacket and kicked off his grass slip
perS. Before a hand could be lifted to
stop him he had Ieaped to the rail and
plunged head first into the sea He
rose to the surface and struck out Wig
orously, at first steering away from
the ships side; then he altered his
course, and n short swim brought him
within reach of the Malay, who was
still afloat. but nearly exhausted. Quin
possessed 4 fair knowledge of the ma
tive tongue, and, clutching the man by
his greasy black hair, he shouted at
him fierceIy:
Don't struggle, Salak. Don't take
hold of me. Be brave and keep cool.
Can't you swim?"
Like a fish, sahib," was the faint re-
ply, but struck my head when L fell,
sharks
them gave Quin a creepy sensation
down his back. He had forgotten when
he leaped impulsively into the sea that
these ravenous monsters infested the
strait of Malacca. He glanced appre-
henSively around him and waved one
hand eagerly toward the Empress. She
fol cIo
and had now almost stopped.
Loud shouts rang over the water. A
boat was lowered from the davits, and
four men dropped into it. Their drip
ping oars sparkled as they drove the
craft forward Justify. The distance
rapidly lessened from 100 yards to so,
while Quin and the Malay kept them
selves afioat on the heaving blue swell
and made some little progress toward
their rescuers.
Twill they reach US in timer gasped
Salak-
Yes; there seem to be no sharks
about" Quin said confidently. can
other minute and we shall be safe.
See, they are comingr'
The boat advanced swiftly. cheered
on by n Shrill clamor from the steam
er's deck A dozen yards interviewed
eight-six. Then the Malay gave Il
terrified scream. and Quin glanced be-
hind him to see the black fin of a
shark cutting the water within 20 feet.
Splash. Salak!' he cred. ''Kick and
splash, We may scare The brute off,
1t was a poor chance, but they made
the most of it, churEing the water Wig
Ously with arms and legs. The black
fin came On steadily, and the men in