New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-05
OSED CHAINS IN CANNON.
Otd Sea Captain Quickly Brought
CannibaLs to Terms

'O"H' MASS June (SpeciaD.-Interesting
features OF the island or -1artha's Vineyard. OF
which this is the county scat arc .ba IL - oI5
whaling days. OF these relics the most interesting
3 are me oIa captains of the whaling ships com
P013uNeIy re" OF whom now left Each year
many Of them are gathered to their 7+,ers and -,
q rev years they will be more. One Of the most
picturesque OF the old shippers IS CAPTAIN Cyrus
Manter' OF West Tisb1ry. Martha's Vineyard
fliy years ago. when the New Bedford whale
SHIPS mace voyages Of three four years, it was
necessary for them to visit the different groups Of
islands in the Pacific Ocean 70 ranIenisb their
stock Of water and wood and to get fresh meat
Captain Manter is ready to tell Of his experi-
ence on one OF these calls port, when he born-
barded town and held a cannibaI chief as a
hostage for a few hours.
In about the year 1889" said the captain in tell
ing the story Il was master OF the ship Europa,
4'V tons. which sailed from Edgartown, and was
cruising between seasons in the Pacific before 60
ing north IN the spring. 1t getting along tow
ara the last OF the season, and we were In need of
water and fresh meat. so I decided to touch at
Magdalena. The island OF Magdalena is the most
southern island of the Marquesas group. situated
Just south or the Sandwich Islands. There is a
range Of mountains over the island and tribes OF
natives inhabit both sides These tribes were
war with each other at that time. After a battle
the winning tribe would gather up their dead vic
tins and roast and eat them and have a great
celebration over the victory.
We sighted the islands and at the mouth
or small bay at the head OF which a village.
The houses made of bamboo and had matched
roofs, the chiefs house being prominent among
huts. As soon the ship anchored the natives
would come of in canoes around II, anxious for
trade and TO see If water was wanted. There
a white man in the with the chief, and he
acted interpreter. He had been there some time
with the natives, and they did not kill him they
wanted him for their interpreter.
As the natives were cannibals, It was not safe TO
go ashore, We proceeded to make bargain for
three hundred barrels Of water We were TO raft
were 10 take them ashore, I'll them and swim them
out through the breakers where our boats were to
was to be done BY the natives for one keg OF
more raft 10 get-so I ard another captain. who
was IN there at the time left the ships 10 go to an
and We could lang for trading purposes. 1 left
orders with the mate TO get the rest OF the water
= had not been at the bay long before saw, one
exctedIy They said the boat etSerer vent in with
the last raft OF casks for water and had let his
boat land No sooner had he done so than he
ward the bushes. The crew jumped out and ran
their lives. but the natives were too much
pleased with the boat and whale gear 20 chase far
The men came out on q point Of rocks by the ship,
SO l went back aboard the ship and found the
story true The natives were very much elated with
their prize. and supposed they would not be MOI
whale gear and the raft OF casks and did not
propose TO go away ana leave them, 7 had one
cannon aboard and got another from the other ship.
These mouhed IN a convenient place, made car,
tridges OF considerable strength OF powder a2dd
creased the guns well Inside. " mad plenty OF Oh
chain that cut up into pieces OF TWO or three
links d piece These put in good charge
powder. Now, with the guns all ready, we
hauled the ship pretty close In toward the village,
brOadSide 10. The natives were making prepala-
tons for a fight. suppOsing We're going ashore,
but We intended 20 give them surprise party from
the deck-someIhing they knew nothing about, as
they knew nothing about big guns. We pointed the
cannon at the chiefs house, that was near lot or
cocoanut trees. and which the natives had
congregated, all creased with cocoanut OIL ana
ready for battle
" One two. three, IRE" Bang went the cannon,
and went the gable end OF the house ana
branches off the trees The chain Thistled through
the air sounding Ike q siren whistle. AL that
could be OF the natives were black streas go
ing for the hills We gave them several rounds,
moving down the houses and pruning the trees al
q great Later saw canoe put on from
The point with a white dag. We stopped shooting
and the canoe came the ship. IN II was the
chief and the white The latter pleaded with
Us 10 do damage 10 the town. I told
him 10 put the chief aboard. as wanted 70 see
him: so he came aboard, and Immediately put
him IN irons and set him down on the main hatch
, Now the conditions are l said 10 the inter
prefer. that you bring back the casks IuI OF Iresn
water the HhalsbOat. with all the gar. ana al the
other plurder YOU have taken immediately, or l
shall deliver this chief over 10 the tribe you are as
with
THE natives were only too glad TO bring every
thing back quickly possible. kept Inc cLheE
until everything was returned, and then let him GO
I hauled the Europa OF az anchor Tor the night
On sailing the next morning for the Sandwich ISL
ands gave the cannioals gun as we weighed
aach0r a parting salute on arriving at ttolo-
lulu the news OF the bombardment had reached
there and had been published in Father Damon .
missionary paper called The Friend the mis-
sonaries being very much pleased that the Mag
dalenians had learned lesson as they had oeen
driven awav bv them. When my supplies were
sent aboard By the merchants they were directed 20
U 8. ship Europa.