The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-02

When next / recovered consciousness
tpnhd ,pn si tnat we %eTe ahoae' mo nouv nS sa' v
certainlng this for certain, as | was lying
I'm the bottom OF the canoe and could see
nothing but blue sky beyond either OF the
gunwales.
Smellie was lying beside me. and. 20 my
great JOY l found that he was not only
alive. but great deal better than
could have thought possible after witness
Ing his former desperate condition.
OF course we at once exchanged con-
gratulations each at the others escape;
and then began TO compare notes MY
companion in misfortune had ~ seemed,
just started TO go forward when the ex-
ploson occurred on board the brig: the
shock had rendered him unconscious. and
when he recovered he found himself on
board the canoe with me beside him. Poor
fellow he was in sad plight. He was
severely wounded in no less than four
different parts of his body; his face and
hands were badly scorched: his clothing
"A Dout which he was always very partlc-
ular-hung about him in tatters; and last
ly he was greatly distressed in mind at
the disastrous failure Of the expedition, a I
the fearfully heavy casualties which we
knew had befalen the attacking party.
and at the extreme probability that these
casualties had been very largely
increased by the blowing up OF
the brig. 7 said what / could 10 com
frot him. but, alas. that was not much;
and IL was a relief TO us both TO change
the subject. even though we turned at
once To the discussion OF our own prob
lemaucal future.
The craft in which we found ourselves
was a war-canoe, about 30 feet long and
five feet beam, manned by about 40 Of our
captors, who sat two abreast close 10 the
gunwales, padding vigorously the negro
prisoners as well as ourselves. being
slowed along the middle OF the canoe,
fore and aft.
A fresh fair breeze was blowing, and
full advantage was being taken, of this
circumstance. huge mat sail being
hoisted on the craft, which must nevita-
bly, have capsized her had IL happened TO
Jibe. From the sharp rushing sound OF
the water along the sides and bottom or
the canoe. and the swift strokes OF the
paddles. | judged that we'rust be trav-
cling through the water al a rapid rate.
a conjecture the truth Of which was af-
terwards very disagreeably verified
We sped on thus until sunset, when the
sail was suddenly lowered and with loud
shouts. which were re-echoed from the
shore, the canoes course was altered. the
craft grounding few minutes after
wards on beach where all hands Of us
landed.
Smellie and / were by this time quite
able 10 walk. but before we could set foot
TO the ground a couple of stalwart blacks
were told off 10 each OF us, and we were
carried along as before.
on this occasion. however our journey
was but a short one. not more. perhaps,
than FIVE or six hundred yards altogether.
Arrived. apparently, at our destna ton,
we were set down and Immediately bound
with llianos or monkey-rope 10 the bole OF
a huge tree. Looking about us, we dis
covered that we were In a native village
OF considerable size. built i'm semicircu-
lar shape, having In It's centre structure
OF considerable architectural pretensions
I'm a barbarlC sort Of way. which struc-
ture we contectured-from the presence OF
a hideous idol in front OF it--must be
sort OF temple. Looking about us still
further. we noticed that the remainder OF
the prisoners were being bound TO trees
like ourselves There was popularity
al ha nf ha
which | certainly did not like; there
might be no motive for IT, but II struck
me that our being ranged In a semicircle
In front OF this Idol had rather sinister
appearance.
Having secured the prisoners TO their
satisfaction. our captors left us; and we
were speedily surrounded by n curious
crowd consisting chiefly Of women and
children, who came and stared persistent
~ with open-mouthed curiosity at the
captlves, and especially at Smellie and
myself. greatly attracted by the appar
emily novel sight OF our white skins. The
old women were, for the most part. hid
eously ugly, wrinkled and bent--their
grizzled wool plastered with grease and
dirt and their bodies positively encrusted
with filth. The young women, on the
other hand-those. that Is to say, whose
ages seemed to range between l3 and is
or 17-were by no means destitute OF per-
sonal attractions. which--to do them Jus
tice-they exhibited with the most bound
less liberality They were all possessed
were. I'm many cases, very finely moulded;
they had an upright graceful carriage
the expression of their features was ami
able and gentle: and. Notwithstanding
their rather prominent lips, few OF them
were actually pretty.
One OF these damsels. a perfect little
sable Hebe. seemed 10 be greatly at
tracted by us walking round and round
the tree TO which we were secured-frst
ut a respectful distance. and then nearer
and nearer. Finally. after studying our
countenances intontly for nearly min
ute, she boldly approached and laid her
finger upon my cheek. apparently 10 as
certain whether or no IL was geuine flesh
and blood Satisfied that IL was so. she
backed Oft 10 take another look at US. and
] thought an expression Of pity over
spread her face. Finally she addressed
US. We were. OF course. quite unable 20
understand the words she uttered, but her
actions. graceful as they were. were sig
niiicant enough; she was evidently asking
whether we were hungry or thirsty To
this inquiry Smellie nodded n prompt af-
nrmative. which I backed up with the
single word Rather" uttered so express
sively that I am certain she quite under