The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-05-27

hle, was already prisoner.
He was q trader, and made the
rounds of the outlying islands, buying
spices hemp and other tropical pro-
Gucts. HIS schooner, the Dolphin, was
covered by local official. This man
made up the story that McKie had
sold firearms and ammunition to the
natives, an offence equivalent to piracy
and punishable by death. Convicted
by false testimony, McKies fate had
seemed certain-until his fellow coun-
trymen appeared.
We'll, | guess you amt due to die
yet awhile, leastways not here in Ma
nila," said the Yankee lirst mate Of
the Sea Horse, when, visiting his own
sailors in the prison, ne had heard
McKie's story. "Tll have a talk with
the old man about this. If Is Ameri
cans can't get ahead of all the Spani'
ards in the Philippines, we'll-we'll
give 'em the Dolphin and the Sea
Horse to boot"
That was no idle saying. If the
men Of the Sea Horse took the law
in their own hands to rescue McKie,
death would probably be the fate o.
all in case of failure Yet eagerly
they waited, and joyously they hailed
the day when the clipper, cargo re-
stored and sails bent, dropped dowr.
the harbor, ready for sea.
With the exception of two men, tie
crew were taken on board. These
two, the captain told the officials were
dangerous characters, ringleade-s in
the mutiny. They would be sent for
at 8 o'clock the next morning, and
the ship would sail at 10 o'clock The
truth was that these men had been
left behind because they were The
coolest and bravest, aqd the captain
really meant to sail a: daylight when
the land breeze began to blow.
AT the prison everything had been
prepared. Little by little they had
sawed the bars of McKie's window,
which overhung the river. A rope
mad been struggled in. Bribery of the
Jallers Had made the men of the Sea
Horse free Of McKie's cell. The Span
1ards thought it natural enough that
the two sailors should wish to spend
this last night" with their fellow
countryman, and left the three TO
themselves.
Meantime on the Sea Horse the an
Choir was hove short" the sails
loosed ready to be sheeted out, and
the halyards cleared. At midnight,
taking the six best oarsmen in the
captains gig, the second mate started
for the prison.
Noiselessly the boat stole up the
river. There were three sentry-houses
between the harbor mouth and the
prison, and it was important to avoid
discovery. Fortune favored. No alarm
was given. The boat reached it's des-
tlnation and rounded to under McKie's
window, and the second mate whistled
bar of Yankee Doodle"
Instantly there came response. The
bars were wrenched apart, a rope was
dropped, and down it, one after an
other. slid the three Americans.
Then the boat fairly flew down the
river. At any moment the escape
might be discovered, and in speed was
safety. At the first sentry house the
sailor was asleep, and when the Sec
ond sentry hailed the boat and then
fired, his shot flew harmlessly over
head
The next man was on the lookout,
as he saw the boat. Steering over to
the opposite bank. the men bent to
their oars with redoubled vigor. The
ball from the soldiers musket splin-
tered the bow oar but to replace 1t
took only moment Then the gig
shot from the river into the harbor
Against the gray morning sky long
streak of yellow light shone in the
east, and the first breath of the land
breeze was ripping the quiet bay.
The gunboat lay between the boat
and the Sea Horse, and as the boat
passed few musket shots rang out.
Smoke was rising from her funnel.
Evidently the firing up the river had
warned the Spaniards that something
was wrong and they were getting up
steam to make chase.
Little the rescuers cared for that, ;
for now they had reached their ship.
The boats crew tumbled aboard, the
gig was hoisted, and the order was Civ
en- to get the anchor and make sail.
But the men on the forecastle seemed
to hesitate. Cap in hand, a stalwart
sailor stepped forward.
"Cap'n," he said, Just you give us
4 couple O. kegs O. powder, and the
boat, and We'll blow that schooner up.
It's too bad for them Spanish rascals