El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-06-16

seized with CONSERVATION ana awe
They fell back As Quin dashed through
them, brandishing his weapon and
shouting fiercciy- They were close be-
hind him as he bounded up the stairs
and gained the main deck.
Here the scene was one of fndescrib-
able panic and terror, of merciless
slaughter and attack. 1t was evident
that the Acllinese pirates must soon be
in complete control of the vessel. They
had shown their true colors the mo-
ment they heard the shot and the out
cry from the saloon. and. whipping out
their concealed knives, they had begun
their bloody work. Now they were
tearing about the deck like fiends.
striking right and left and with dead
ly aim at the passengers and crew,
who had been taken completely by sur
prise and were almost without eXcep-
ton unarmed. Many of the poor fell
lows lay dead OK writhing in agony
Some madIy sought TO escape by leap
ing overheard. and some took refuge
below, aided by the gathering dark
ness. A few were making feeble at
tempt at resistance The shrieks and
yelis made deafening and heart
rendiEg ciamOr.
Scarcely Il minute had elapsed since
the beginning Of the attack. when Quin
reached the deck. Knowing that his
three foes were behind him. he did not
hesitate for an instant. He was seen
by several OF the AchineSe. who sprang
toward him with rocking knives. The
only shelter open and available was the
bridge. He gained the foot of the lad
der by IL feet rush and swung himself
to the top. Here he found the mate
and the steersman both helpless with
fright.
So far the bridge had escaped atten-
ton, but seeing that Quin had taken
refuge there four or five of the pirates
followed hin. To keep them back was
impossible. With ear splitting yeiis
they swarmed to the top of the ladder,
and in less time than it takes to tell
their sharp knives had made an end Of
the mate and the steersman. They died
without struggle. and their bodies
were flung down to the deck
Quin had never lOnged for anything
in his life 50 much as he now longed
for a serviceabIe weapon. But he was
empty handed-he had dropped the
useless table knife-and the AchineSe
were about to spring upon him. He
lodged behind the wheel, narrowly
missing a stab that would have been
fatal. From thence he climbed to the
whistle pipe needless of Scorched
hands and percired himself on the top
of it Two OF the pirates went after
him, but the pipe was too hot for them,
and they soon abandoned the attempt
They rejoined their companions, and
the whole lot hurried from the bridge
to take part in the chase after a luck
less passenger whose hiding place had
been discovered
1t was now quite dark-the pale dark
ness of the east-and for n time Quin
was forgotten The pipe was SO hot
that it raised bIisters on his hands, but
he stuck dcggediy to his uncomfortable
position He saw two of the Achinesse
who evidently had some knowledge of
navigation mount to the bridge and
take charge of the wheel. Then he
heard the chain running out, showing
that the vessel was going in the direc
ton of land. Meanwhile the rest of
the pirates. elated by victory and
bioodshed. Were vigorously searching
for those OF the passengers and crew
who had concealed themselves. An oc-
casional shrill cutlery rapidly cut short
testified TO their success.
Finally. when he could endure the
heat and his crsirnped attitude no lon
ger. Quin concluded to seek some other
shelter at the risk of his life. Watch
ing his opportunity, he slid down the
wire support of the funnel He wait
ed briefly tn make sure that he was
unobserved and then crept cautiously
over the deck. confronted each mo-
ment by the CHASTITY bodies of the vic
Tins At first he was disposed to take
refuge in one Of the ships boats, but
on second thought he changed his
mind and made his way safely to the
stokehoid.
The Lamps were burning, but the
place was apparently deserted. How
ever. 4 short examination disclosed the
fact that the stokers were hidden in
the bunkerS, together with several of
the crew and u couple of passengers,
who were terrified half out of their
wits. They vainiy begged Quin to
join them.
IF you had done your duty" he
said angrily. 1.-The attack might have
had a different ending. Here you stick.
W outChtEed linz TdtS III a
trap. for the pirates are sure to hunt
you up sooner or later"
What can we do, sir?" asked one of
the stokers.
Make the place as secure as posi-
ble-thatS the first thing was the re
ply.
The wisdom of this advice was ap-
parent. and all of the men ventured
out. They barricaded the door with
firewood and put out the lamps. Then
the whole party waited anXiouSly,