The National tribune., 1901-03-21

dlAfl btih- " NbhliOt'l- ti'N-Ai i''''' '.t''.'
from the behavior of wild beasts are apt
to he erroneous. At all events. it charged
us and rushed about in such furious way
that there was much doubt whether our
line would not be broken. Ono indian had
his shirt ripped. and got tumblcd heels
overhead.
The animals great weight and thick
skin made it impossible for single man
10 withstand an onset; moreover. it cl"v-
crly showed front to MS. thus avoiding
any injury Of consequences. One after
another we had been more or less used
mp. when the tapirl exposed his side while
stopping TO tramplc that same man who
first went down before him. This finished
the affair--a thrust behind the shoulder
proved fatal almost instantly.
Bands of Rama Indians wandered about
here. whose friendly or hostile attitude
varied according 10 circumstances. 1t
may be accepted for Il general truth, how
ever. that the average savage wherever
met with, regards an assault upon any
stranger as rational, praiSeworthy and
pinuS.
There We're also SambO communities
scattered around, and these, besides being
vilainous. as matter of course, became
more dangerous in proportion to shelr re-
moteness from civilized neighborhoods.
We sailed down the river again, bound
for Old Providence Island: but evil days
were in store, and ii looked as If that
classic ground of pirates had been forbid
den us by fate.
Running along shore the second night
out. our canoe struck Oh Il submerged reef,
whose sharp rocks cut through our bow.
The little vessel leaked badly, despite all
attempts at patching or plugging; so that
some spot where she could be beached for
repairs became necessary. Unfortunately
these coasts largely consist of mangrovc
sw:mps, low-lying, and with mud over
ones head.
We put into an inland reach that had
creek to its apex, and did our best with
bailng, shifting cargo aft. and crowdlnE
there ourselves TO keep from being water
logged; but had several hours of hard
work before the stream showed any hrm
ground on either side. At last marsh and
forest came TO an end, while broad on
both hands spread wide savannahs, and
beautiful, a park-ike country stretched
away westward until distant mountains
rose in soft blue outlines against the sky.
Not moment was wasted after our
boat had been drawn up on the beach.
and through industry. combined with good
luck. toward sundOwn we ceased to be
| wrecked; that is to say, the party could
get away if needful without being
Swamped.
This repairing was completed none too
1t was finished soon, for ill-fortune had
| landed us near a Sambo settlement, CON
cealed from where we were They had
| seen us, however, and made arrangements
| to appropriate our possessions.
As we sat round small fire eating
something before leaving, a clump Of men
suddenly came out of some jungle that
ran down near shore. This was not :lev-
ery done. Their elaborate air of hap
pening along by accident could only have
taken in very unsophisticated people. They
had certainly left men concealed in the
! brake, which of itself showed sinister de
| signs: and although marmed, except that
| each wore a knife. their appearance was
! altogether fOrbidding, while the rascal
who addressed us might have been some
old pirate come TO life again.
Heaven preserve you, gen:lemen!' this
| beauty said. Il perceive that we meet
distinguished visitors. Will it please youl
eXcellencies to visit my poor house? Have
no fear; these sinners, though they wOr
ship devils, are amiable men, and wholly
| at your service"
| This spokesman was Spanish mulat.
| to-probably some refugee from Justice
and when we declined this invitation, say
ing that our departure must postpone the
pleasure so kindly offered, he scowled
his followers edged off toward our boat
and it was time to act.
Starting up, weapons in hand, we took
them by surprise, and easily got on board
A few shots. not intended to KILL were
fired, the sail was loosed, and their in.
tended victims swept away under harm
less vOlley of musket-balls and curses
All Of them stood awhile disappearing
the original party and their comrades who
had been hidden-then off they went in
hot haste to pursue with canoes, of course
Only one course could be safely followed
which was conceament. The wind might
fail, or we get aground. Both accidents