The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-06-13

cheer hailed them as they swept un-
der the stern and drew up at the star
board gangway, and Facey was soon
reporting himself on the bridge.
well, how did you make out?"
asked the captain.
I'VE landed at the traders house.
began Facey, followed a path that
led inland, and reached some Kanaka
hIts. Not a soul in EN-; clean gone,
every man jack. Followed along a
well beaten path which led us into the
next bay, bearing north-northeast half
east, keeping the liveliest lookout all
the time. Three miles along We ran
into another village, chock-a-block
with piggers. 1t looked a nasty go;
lots of guns and spears, and everybody
pretty skittish, kind of they would and
they wouldn't! / recollected your or
ders and went slow; you know what
/ mean, sir-worked of the presents.
and smoked my pipe leisurely. BY
and by they came round. tricky as the
devil, on to make friends or to eat US
alive; whichever seemed the more
promising. / let out what l wanted,
and bit by bit found out that all the
Sunfiower bay crowd were there, even
to old Jibberik, the chief-him Toombs
said was the biggest scoundrel Of the
lot He looked pretty sick and knew
mighty well what we were after. l
talked broadsides to that old man, and
put it to him that he had better give
up the chaps who had killed the trader
than waltz back to the ship and be
shot instanter himself-for somebody
had to go, said; and just as soon as
l got the old codger alongside of me
| gave him to understand that he was
my bird, and kept my cooked pistol
pointed at his belly. After no end OF
fuss, and lots of frothing and loud
talk, with things looking precious
ugly now and again, we ended by COM
ing out on top. Then they dragged
along a young niger named Billy, a
returned labor-boy from the Queens
land plantations, they said, and hand
| ed him over to me as the murderer"
You've done well, Mr.. Facey," said
|
close, "and l tell you the story shan't
lose when / report 1t to the admiral.
You had better go now and get your
clothes off," he added.
Facey jumped to his feet. Il am
sure / am awfully obliged to you,
SIR" he said.
ugh. that's all right" said Case
ment, in his testy way. What have
you done with the prisoner"
Turned him over to the sergeant
for safekeeping, sir" returned the Of
ficer.
'Leg-ironsT asked Easement.
"Leg-irons, handouts and a dog
chain," returned Facey, with grin
He's cost too much to take any
chances of his getting on"
The first thing next morning, old
Jibberik was brought aboard with his
two companions. He was disgusting
old gorilla Of man. with hairy
chest and a bold. leering eye-a mere
scarecrow of humanity, Of q type In
credibly cruel and debased.
Four bells was the time set for the
court martial; at nine o'clock Case
ment sent for Facey and told him hi
must prepare to defend the prisoner.
''Burder will prosecute for the
queen" he said. -Pickthorn will ac
as clerk. Sennett, Roche and viii
compose the court"
The first lieutenant was overcome
Il don't think can, SIR" he sait
feebly IL never did such thing IL
my life; wouldn't know where to be
gin, or to leave on, for that matter"
You can leave on when we ham
your prisoner" Easement returned
with his bulldoggish air. "Of course
it's all damned farce" he went on
Somebody's got to act for the mig
ger: it's printed that way In tn
book"
"Billy." said Facey. they are goinI
! to make Judge and jury for you b,