The National tribune., 1902-07-10

3UU or the most hldeouS looking human
beings it was ever my fortune to behold.
The most of them were armed, like those
we had met on the beach, with stones and
bone swords, though few of them had
spears, and / am free to confess to feel
ing anything but comfortable, as l stood
in the presence of that fientiiSh- looking
multitude, with NO attendant save the
demoralized Englishman. who had per-
haps degeneFated into worse savage
than any of them. But it was too Late to
turn hack. even had | been disposed to
do so. and assuming as nonchalant an air
as possible, and feeling to- see that my
revolver was convenient to my hand,
entered the building
His Majesty was seated on n platform
raised few inches above the ffoor and
on my entrance. arose to meet me. He
was miserable little savage scarcely
more than FIVE feet high. naked, with the
exception of a tappa made of grass, worn
about his waist, and smeared from head
to foot with cocoanut oil. Like most of
his followers. he wore thrust through n
hole made in the lobe of his ear for the
purpose Il huge mSshapen tobacco pipe
an arrangement which. however conven-
lent. did not add in the least to his per-
sonal appearance.
A number of his subjects were en-
ployed in making gorwa, n kind of in
roots crushed between stones. and after
wards left to fermeni: and industrial pur
suit upon which he seemed to look with
peculiar favor
The cid pilot presented me in due form.
ara | at once made known my errand.
The King listened. looked round dstrust-
fully a few moments. and showed himself
n true diplomatist. by asking by way of
answer to see my sword and revolver.
Having examined these to his hearts con-
tent and taken another deliberate survey
of his followers. probably querying with
himself meanwhile. whether they would
be able to protect him against one desper-
ate Confederate, should he feel disposed
to make Il prize of him. he advanced an
other step in our negotiations, and in
vitcd me to take Il drink. and as this was
4 branch Of diplomacy in which had had
some practice. l complied and touched
my lips to the cocoanut cup containing
the viiest smelling, most nauseoUs COM
pound upon which a man ever attempted
to get salubrious.
These formal points of court etiquet
of. we returned 70 the real bust
Iess in hand. and after j little persuasion.
ay royal host condesce!a.ed to favor me
with his company, but to effeCtualiy guard
himself against any machinatiOns that
might be meditated against his place and
dignity, he gave his ugly person fresh
coating of cOcoanut oil. and announced
himself in readiness for the proposed ex-
cursiOn.
Back to the beach we wended our way.
the King and few of his chiefs, and my
insignificant self taking the lead and the
whole yagabOnd colony following at our
heels.
On reaching the shore, the King was
accommodated with the seat of honor in
the boat. while | placed myself out of
OlfactOry range of the peculiar perfumes
belonging to him and his retinue, and or
dered the men to give way
As we slided seaward at least a hun
dred boats put off and followed in our
wake, each containing from three to five
natives, and all keeping at respectful
distance behind, out Of Difference to the
great man who preceded them.
On reaching the ship. Capt. Waddel and
his First Lieutenant received his copper
colored Majesty with appropriate honors.
and, after a brief inspection, conducted
him TO the cabin, where such n collation.
as our barbarous tastes could furnish
WAS set forth for his entertainment; but
the old reprGbate turned I'M his nose ut
the wine. and | strongly suspect Il cold
roast Confederate woulf have been more
to his liking than the unpretending viands
of oHr steward.
But everything passed off harmoniously,
and after n couple of hours visit. during
which none Of his followers had attempted
to come on board, though they remained
close :tronnd the ship in their canoes, he
took his departure, well laden with pres
ents of old muskets, powder. small shot,
and tobacco, upon excellent terms with
himself and Us.
During the two or three days that fol
lowed, our men were allowed to go on
shore, in limited detachments at Il time.
and each WAS furnished with small
quantity Of tobacco, the standing circnlat-
ing medium ut Ascension. and | dare say
they enjoyed themselves: MT all events Il
pretty fair percentage of them managed
to return at least three sheets in the wind
on gorwa, unless they found a better
beverage, which was not unlikely, that
had been smuggled ashore from one of the
whaIers
There is one place Of peculiar interest
on this island. 1t is the remains of IN
old fortifieati0n, in regard to which there
is not even tradition among the natives.
THE oldest inha bitant" does not profess
it WAS built; but it is certainly relic of
considerable antiquity. and whoever
erected 1t had no contemplate knowledge
of the application Of mechanical powers.
Another curious circumstance is, that
it is mostly composed of huge blocks of
stone. some OF them four or hve feet
square. which must have been brought
from some other locality. as nothing like
them is found in any other part of the
island. The generally received opinion
among seamen is that it was built by
some of the ancient buccaneers as re-
pOsitory for their ill-gotten gains, and a
place OF retreat in time of danger.
On the morning of April 13, we paroled
all the prisoners we had on board, and
having removed what we desired from
the Harvest we set her on fire The
prisoners seemed to prefer being left on
shore to accompanying Is on our long and
uncertain voyage, SO after providing them
with an abundance of everything in the
way of ship stores, arms, and ammuni-
ton, besides their personal effects, we
bade them gcod-by.
| should mention that this island was
provided with a missionary.
The reverend gentleman did not pay his
respects to Us. but he doubtless considered
us unregenerate heather, not worth saw
ing, if indeed divine mercy was for such
as we.
The same afternoon we got up our an
Choir and once more proceeded to sea, tax
ing with MS a number of fresh recruits
who had joined us froRs the last prizes.
Ito be continued)