The National tribune., 1902-06-26

ing for the Island of Tristan d'Acunha,
where our Captain had resolved TO land
what prisoners he had on board.
Early the following morning the island
| was in sight looming up some $500 feet
! above the level of the sea, and by 8 O'Clock
we had it on our port beam. Steaming
slowly round to discover a suitable place
for landing. we at last saw the English
| flag flying from a flagstaff on shore, and
hove to. and the boats we had been towing
were hauled alongside, and the prisoners
with their clothes and bedding placed in
them
While this was going on, we observed
n boat coming off from the shore, and ere
long she was rocking under our quarter,
and its principal occupant was offering for
sale milk. eggs, chickens, and fresh meat,
commodities for which we were quite
ready to barter.
1t WAS the first time the Islanders had
seen the flag that fioated from our peak.
and TO what nationality it belonged they
| could not imagine, nor was their astonish-
ment in any wise diminished when we in
| formed them that our ship was a Confed-
crate cruiser, and we had 35 prisoners
which we proposed contributing to their
population.
'.And where the devil did you get your
prisoners" queried one OF the mystified
natives.
From whaler not far from here" re-
sponded one Of our officers.
't.Iust so. to be sure; and what became
OF the whaleri"
1--WE burned her up"
"Whew. Is that the way you dispose
% what vessels You fall in WITH
'If they belong to the United States
not otherwise
well. my hearty, you know your own
business. but my notion is that these sort
of pranks will get you into the devils
| own muss before you are through with it.
What your quarrel with the United States
is | don't know, but | swear / don't be-
lieve they'll stand this kind of work"
The establishment our proceedings occa-
stoned the residents of Tristan d'Acunha
| there are only about 40 OF them all told,
and their evident conviction that our call
ing was not likely 10 be q very safe one,
did not stand in the way of their CONNER
| ciai proclivities, and we soon struck up a
bargain for n quantity Of fresh beef.
which, however. had to be killed before it
could be delivered, but the time was dis
posed of by getting rhc prisoners safely
off. and seeing that they were provided
with coffee, tea. sugar. and all other arti-
cles necessary for their temporary sojourn.
At last the Islanders came off with the
provisions we had purchased, and received
in exchange -four and pilot bread. We also
procured from them 4 couple of sheep.
and after making these additions to our
coInnisSariat. we steamed away. lea viz .
| the island on our st1rboarl quarter
| This last prize furnished us with n new
| phase of cruising experience. Heretofore
our prisoners had been transferred to some
prize selected for the purpose, and sent on
| their way, if not rejoicing. Mt least reason
ally well satisfied with such n method of
o. "ss from one Of the unpieasan. rredica-
n IS of war: but now for the first time
~ mad left our captured foes on an island
OF The South Atlantic. thousands of miles
from their homes. where they might have
| To remain for many weary months ere n
passing ship would take them off Though
il was Of course possible they might be re-
lieved in n week.. and none Of us were
quite satisfied with the part we were ne
ccssitatcd to play. but ! question whether
our Yankee acquaintanccs stood much III
need of our sympathy after all. They had
the free range of a charming island. where
reigned perennial Summer: besides, there
were a number Of tine gentler sex in want
of mates, j learned. and where there arc
pretty women so circumstanced there can
sailors be happy.
/ may mention en- PEASANT that they
have rather a primitive way of celcbrat.
ing the nuptiai contract on Tristan
the ubiquitous sons Of Connecticut. of
course, who stranded there some % Years
before, and at this time was driving n
thriving trade in beef and poultry with
the whaiers that put in there, had assum.
ed to himself the prerogative of uniting in
the holy bonds of wedlock tho matrimo
niaily disposed, and he performed the sery.
ice, l understood, as much to the satisfac.
ton of the parties interested as it could
be done by surpliced priest before the
chancel rails.
On the following day we discovered that
cur engine was injured. one of the pro.
peller bands being broken in two places
and it was at first rumored that we would
have TO put into some port for repairs;
but after thorough investigation it was
decided TO endeayor to temporarily remedy
the difficulty where we were, and in the
meantime to depend upon our canvas.
ought TO have mentioned that before
! captEfing the bark Edward. we oyer.