Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-03-22

not very big nor exceptionally strong,
but just about the right size ana suffi-
GENTLY strong to make a fairly even
match for "Jacko," an Indian ape, in
the terrible fight we had, some eight
years ago, one moonlight night in the
middle of the Bay of Bengal.
Jacko, fine specimen OF the larger
species of brown.haired Indian ape,
had been presented to our skipper in
Calcutta by friend of his. Our ship
was the Queen of England,a fine full
rugged steel vessel of 2070 tons, then
sailing between Liverpool and Cal
cutta.
When standing upon his hind feet
the apes height must have been about
feet inches. Not very tall, you
might say; but anyone who knows the
extraordinary strength Of these crea-
lures and their wonderful agility will
know that he was quite tall enough to
be a formidable creatp>.. sor 16-year.
old boy to encounter single-handed.
Somehow Jacko, who was docile
enough with any of the other men,
seemed to have taken an especial dis
like to me, and could never pass him
without being treated to a vicious
"coo-ch," and succession of wild
leaps, any of which would have lifted
him right upon me but for the sudden
tautening of his chain, which, tugging
at his neck, invariably finished up"
his leap in disgraceful way, as it
twisted him suddenly round and
brought him sprawling ignominiously
on the deck. He was, during the fine
weather, usually tethered to a ring
bolt at the fore end of the No.3 hatch.
Between this hatch and tie main fife
rail was goodly space of open deck,
where was no other obstruction but
the main deck capstan-a high "patent
purchase" affair, with a double top
which stood amidships.
On the night of my set-to with
Jacko we were somewhere about the
middle of the Bay of Bengal A light
monsoon just contrived to belly out
each sail and heel our ship over about
five degrees or SO. A fine, clear night
it was, with bright full moon above
and n mill-pond ripple on the sea
around.
The watch on deck had coiled them
selves-as is the general custom in
fine weather-along the deck to the
lee side of the house, where, handy
for any call, they snored in their sleep.
The only hands aboard with their
eyes open were the lookout man, away
for'ard in the eyes of the ship on the
fo'c's'le head; the second mate, upon
the weather side of the poop, and my
self, on the lee side. At about five
bells (10.30 p. ny the second sent me
for'ard to examine the side lights and
report upon them. He then went aft,
where, leaning over the taffrail, he
gave himself up sailor fashion to his
wakeful dreams.
I went for'ard, passing Jacko, who
was asleep. then mounted the TO s'le
head, yarned awhile with the lookout,
examined the side lights, and fndin G
them burning satisfactorily, proceeded
leisurely aft along the weather side.
Arriving at the main fferail 1 turned
to go to leeward, and utterly forgetful
of the presence of Jacko, walked
sleepily past the capstan. The ape
awoke, perceived me. gave his usual
vicious "coo-ch' and sprang into the
air towards me. Accustomed to these
impotent leaps, stood motionless,
hands in pockets, awaiting the usua
absurd ending of the performance.
This time, however, the chain
snapped close to his neck, and almost
before I was aware OF the fact, the
brute's form, dark and shadow-like
came flying through the air, and he
was upon me.
He alighted fairly upon my shoul
ders; L staggered to leeward under the
sudden weight and fell into the soup
pers, at the same time warding of
with my arm his ugly face from mine.
Brute-like, he seized that part of my
body nearest his jaws and bit, fiercely
deep into my left shoulder; then
springing suddenly from me, he Ieapei
into the main rigging, swarmed aloft
and stopped, dozen ratlins high, tc
grin and "coo-ch" at me. During the
whole time of the extraordinary strng
gle which followed 1 made no sount
with my lips--why, do not know
And yet l was nightly scared of tn,
ape. I fancy it was the suddennes
of the attack, which gave me no tim,
even to think of calling for help ant
awakening my shipmates.
Jumping to my feet excitedly,
stood upon the deck, with fists doubled
mp and in boxing attitude, awaitin,
Jacko's next spring. Except for tn
apes low chuckling "coo-ch," w
made no sound. L was barefooted, s.
that even my footballs were noiseless
Had 1 run, Jacko in all probabilit
would have left me alone, but see NJ
me standing somewhat defantly in hi
accustomed place, he accepted my at
titude as challenge.
He came stealthily and cautiousl
down the rigging to the top -gallan
rail, watched me awhile from there
and then swarmed the royal bach
stay to a height of about Is feet
never taking his eyes off me all tn
time. Here he stopped and cor