The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-10

The men obeyed without a word; their
blood was by this time thoroughly
aroused; they were all aquiver with eager
Excitement: anu as looked at them sit
ting there upon the thwarts. facing for
ward with their naked cutlasses beside
them and their loaded muskets firmly
grasped i'm their hands. their fingers just
feeling the triggers, their teeth clench-
ed and their eyes flashing. / felt that
nothing short OF frigate with her crew
at quarters would stop them.
The rescuing party was by this tlmo
smartly engaged with the main body OF
the canoes, and by their tardy progress
knew that they already had their hands
fully occupied The detachment which had
assumed the responsibility OF intercepting
us had separated itself some distance
from the main body. and was now formed
tn double line right across our course,
altering it's position from time to time In
such a manner as TO keep always square
kahead OF us. L saw that IL would be use
less to attempt to dodge them: we had
not time for that: 30 directed the cox
swain to steer straight for the broadside
OF the midship canoe. the craft, that is TO
say which occupied the centre OF the op-
posng line. She was n biggish craft for a
canoe being somewhere about fifty feet
hong and manned by forty negroes; the
canoe which lay on her starboard side, or
beyond her. being about the same size.
There were sixteen more canoes in line:
and altogether they presented the APP
pearance of a very formidable barrier.
But had had an opportunity of learning
pretty well what they were when Smellie
and I. bound hand and foot, took our
memorable cruise up the river I'm one OF
them, and / knew that they were, after
ai hut vary ChanL niunav fra pila q
fairs, not TO be compared for n moment
tn strength with the stout boat which
carried us at such a gallant pace over the
Eswirlng river. SO j determined to give
bur foolhardy opponents the stem, trust
Ing to the weight and momentum OF the
boat to enable US TO break through the
line
On rushed the cutter, the breze roaring
merrily over her, and the broad lug-sail
Dragging at her like team OF cart
horses: whilst Tom crouched in the bows,
bqunting along the sights OF his piece,
bnd holding himself in readiness 10 FIRE
ht the instant that he should get the or
der. We were within hundred fet OF the
Inc Of canoes when the crew OF the big
graft began TO see danger; they had
hoped by their persistent demonstration
of barring our path, to intimidate us, but,
how that IL was too late, they saw that
they had failed. that we meant mischief.
hnd, aetting up a loud yell OF consterna-
tion, they piled their paddles desperately
tn an effort 60 avoid the impending COLI
sion. IL was unavailing; the canoes ahead
and astern OF them, confused like them
selves. and only imperfectly comprehend
ing what their comrades would be at,
closed In upon instead OF separating from
them; and Immediate dire confusion was
the result. When within twenty yards OF
Them Tom delivered the contents OF his
carronade. and an immediate outburst OF
groans. yells. and shrieks bore testimony
DO the accuracy OF his aim.
Before the smoke had fairly cleared
hway the cutter was upon them The
big canoe nearest us had been torn nearly
IN halves by the discharge OF the car
ronade. and we swept over her almost
without feeling II. The other big fellow
was. however. afoat and apparently un-
Injured Another yell OF terror went up
from her occupants as our sail overshad
bwed them; there was a violent shock as