The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-04-06
VOYAGE OF THE PULO WAY
RECORD OF SOME STRANGE poINes AT SEA
BY CARLTON DAVE Copyright by R. F Fenno Co.

!, hung inanimate. The canoe drew
nearer, and another volley of ar
rows and spears was discharged
into the boat; then some of the
savages jumped aboard it and be-
gan to hack the dead men. l look
e dat Hayling, but he shook his
head. mot yet, old man. Wait"
Perhaps it was as well to wait,
though there was no chance of the
savages overlooking the ship In
deed, no sooner had the ships boat
been manned and sent shoreward
| than the war canoe turned it's nose
our way and advanced rapidly.
| 1--WE had better let them come
close" said Hayling, "as we do not
want to miss. Where is Ethel?"
Here" she said, advancing from
behind ventilator.
Hadn't you better go below"
why should II"
"You might get hit"
"Why should you think I am so
great a coward?"
81 know you are not coward,
but | don't want you to risk any
thing"
but want to stay-Frank."
"All right" he muttered, "only,
for Gods sake, get on the other
side of the ship"
Away she went and stood behind
, the lee side of the deckhouse, while
he and 1 took up our position OPP
posite, each with his rifle ready.
and a revolver handy in case Of
emergencies.
The big canoe was now not more
than a hundred yards away, and
from our hiding places we could
see the look of wonder on the
hideous faces of the savages as
they stared up at the great YES
sel-for great she must have SEEM
ed to them. Then one, who was
evidently chief, rose and began
to talk loudly, and to gesticulate
| fiercely, and many voices echoed
him in the same shrill, nervous
key. The paddles were set going
once more, and the canoe forged
ahead
Just then Hayling muttered in
his slow, calm way, Now then,
Tom, let the beggars have it. I'll
take the chap in the feathers
AS with one voice the two rifles
spoke, and the "chap in the feath-
ers" threw up his arms, swayed to
one side AMI fell overheard; the
man beside him fell back in the
arms of the man behind.
For some seconds confusion and
CONSERVATION reigned aboard that
craft; there were many strange
cries and a hurried scramble to get
back. Then, maddened with fear
and rage, the fighting men poured
volley of arrow at us, or rather
at the ship, many of which rang
sharply on our sides. Us they did
not see, and this, think. added
someW hat to the rout which fol-
lowed; for after they had fired we
sent two more shot into their
midst, which completed their ter
ror. Not daring to advance furth-
err, and having no notion of the
strength of the enemy, they quick
ly placed themselves beyond the
} reach of harm. Nor could l resist
sending a shot after them, even
when they were 500 yards away.
: Though the bullet splashed some
yards astern, 1t produced such an
effect that they redoubled their as
siduity at the paddles, nor did they
stop till they had run the canoe
ashore.
During the rest Of that day we
suffered no further moleStatton. In
deed, some time after noon the big
canoe disappeared round the south
west corner of the island, while the
savages themselves melted from
the beach into the bush beyond.
That night the beach was literal
7 ly ablaze with many fires. and we
saw distinctly the naked savages
dancing round the flames. It want
ed not Hayling's whispered word OF
"cannibals" to tell me what it
meant; but could not help think
? ing of the awful vengeance of God
!; on those who had so violently out
ragged His laws.
With the dawn came a further
l disagreeable surprise, the light
1 showing us the beach thick with
, savages, while quite a dozen big
1 canoes fioated just outside the surs
t Roughly speaking, there must have
: been over a hundred of them. and a
s dozen war canoes. The odds were
0 ridiculous. smiled grimly to my,
: self somewhat, | think, after the
g manner of Hayling.
y h1 nntinnndN