Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-03-17


He counted nine small craft, each
holding FIVE or six men or men and
women. At the distance, nearly three
miles, he could not be certain whether
or not they all wore the distinguishing
headdress Of feathers. Against wind
and current they could not possibly
reach the ship under half an hour. and
the smallness Of the feet surprised
him.
The news that the Indians were ad-
vancing ran through the ship like wild
IRE. Including Mr.. Boyle, Frascuelo
and those among the Chileans whose
wounds were not serious, there were
fourteen men available for the de-
Tense. Unfortunately the supply Of
firearms was inadequate. A shotgun
and five revolvers constituted the ar
mory, and one of the pistols was in
Christobal's pocket The supply of
ammunition was SO small that the re-
yolvers could not be reloaded more
than three times. but Courtenay had
200 shot cartridges. and against naked
AiCu uA OuuC0 Vi BLU ID Lux UuOES ell
fective than bullet.
The captain hoped to terrify the In
dams before they attempted to scale
the ships sides. If various ruses fail
ed and the attack was pressed, he had
decided not to split up his small force
in the effort to repel boarders. A scat
tered resistance would surely break
down at one point or another; there
would be rush Of savages along the
decks, a panic among the Chileans. and
all would be ended. On the other hand,
when fighting collectively under Euro
pean leadership and well aware that
the Indians would kill and spare not,
the half breeds might be trusted to &C.
quit themselves like men.
The canvas awning constituted
fiimsy citadel in the center of the YES
sci. Six men were stationed on the
starboard side of the promenade deck
and six on the port side. Tollemache
and Chilean who said he could shoot
well were told to Illustrate any at
tempt to climb the after part of the
ship, while Courtenay, with his fowl
ing piece, would have the lions share
of this work from the spar deck, as he
undertook to keep the rails clear for
ward and help the revolver practice IL
necessary. With him was Suarez, who
knew what was expected of him, SO
the language difficulty offered no APP
parent hindrance once the fight began.
Finally, II the Indians made good their
footing. the defenders were to rally to-
ward the salon companion, where
steam Jets were ready to squirt with
ering blasts along the corridors.
1t was a good plan and might have
kept at bay an enemy of higher vaior
than the Alaculofs. provided they were
not armed with rifles. Against mod
ern weapons of long range nothing
could be done. If Suarez did not exag-
gerate, therein lay the real danger
Courtenay wished to make sure at the
outset Of the number OF guns carried
by the savages. II was also important
to know whether their marksmen were
distributed or crowded together In one
or two canoes. II the latter. he would
give those warriors his special atten-
tion.
His binocular glasses were not strong
enough, SO he walked back toward the
chart house to procure telescope.
Catching Joey under his left arm, he
climbed the short ladder leading to
the spar deck and pulled 1t up after
him. the bolts having been already re-
moved to permit Of that being done.
Walker was screwlng tight the door
Of the engine room in order to safe
guard the fireman in attendance on the
donkey boiler. Now that the screw
driving was actually in operation Il
very unpleasantly reminded Courtenay
Of the fastening of coffin lid. Mel
Their Walker nor the man inside could
guess the grewsome notion which held
the captain In its chilly grip for an in
slant Indeed, the engineer looked up
with grin.
II suppose it's twue, sir, the-aw's
Eoin' to be a fightT' he asked.
There's q fair chance Of one, Wal
ker."
Walker winked suggestively.
THAT chap inside thinks he's out of
It." be said. $50 that's all wight" An
energetic turn OF the screwdrlver signi-
hed that the man from Newcastle held
he opposite view. Much as he loved
YhIs engines. be preferred to be on deck
when the trouble came.
II happened that during this slight |
delay Courtenay glanced at the north |
ern headland. which Elsie had christ |
ened Cape Templar owing to the some |
what remarkable profile Of a knight In l
srmor offered by its seward crags. |
Possibly had be gone straight TO the 4
chart house he might not have noticed 1
q signal fire which was In full blast /
on the summit Of the elf. II had not 4
been many minutes in existence, and 4
Ltt struck him at once that IL was a We /
klcle Of communication between the i
kavages IN the approaching canoes and 4
6thers. jet invisible. who were expect 4
ID to share In the attack.
BE was quick to perceive how serf-
busly this new peril affected bis calcu-
|sfions. By the time the nine canoes
be had counted were alongside the ship
1kere might BE dozens Of others ready
10 help them He leaned over the rail
did yOa test those flexible pipes this
hnornIngr be Inquired
yes. afr. they aw IN ane Condition.