The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-04-06
CHAPTER XXI
(Continued)


This was just a trifie disconcert-
ing, and dill away with the hope of
ease. They would see us without
fail. and in due course we might ex-
pect a visit; for a day or two
ashore would make them as eager
to get back to the Pulo Way az
they before were eager to leave
her.
l clambered down from the
bridge and vending my way to the
galley. where | found Hayling fry
ing some bacon and potatoes, let
him know of my discovery. But
he only said it was a cursed nui-
sance. his whole attention seeming
absorbed in the turning of the po-
tatoes. Yet l thought he welded
his spoon in an exceedingly savage
manner, and slapped the bacon
about as though he were patting
Mr.. Gupp.
Nevertheless we ate heartily Of
the savory fry and drank copiously
of the fragrant coffee which Ethel
very skillfully brewed.
|
after he had taken long look at
the island he agreed with me that
it was time we prepared ourselves
for possible visit. Gupp and his
men were all there, apparently safe
and sound, and the odds were that
they would put off to us with little
delay, for in their hurry to quit the
sinking ship they mad left all their
plumber behind; so we went aft and
arms and ammunition, being just as
determined as of old.
| took the port cabins, he the
starboard, the result of my re-
searches being a five-chambered re-
volver and a box of so cartridges.
He was luckier, for he came across
a Martini-Henry and about two doz,
en- rounds of ammunition. The
rifle, he told me afterwards, was
rell himself lay there dead in his
bunk.
For an hour or so after this we
kept sharp watch on the beach,
and then all at once shot rang
out from that quarter. This was
followed by two or three more
shots, fired in rapid succession
Then, turning our glasses upon the
scene, we saw many men rushing
about in indescribable confusion; a
further look showed us that a
horde of savages had descended
upon the camp. For time the
crew faced the danger with much
courage, giving AMI taking many
knocks; but nevertheless they
were rapidly driven back upon the
sea, and when more than half OF
their number had fallen, the Others
suddenly turned round and fled fol
the boats at top speed. After them
rushed the savages, yelling re
rociously, their cries even reaching
to where we stood.
For a little while now yellow anC
black seemed mixed in inextricable
confusion. Occasionally a desultory
shot rang out, but for the rest the
fight was a hand to hand one, the
crew, who had again faced round
contesting every inch of the way
Then, out of the hubbub and confu
sion a boat was launched, ant
7 while a couple of men tugged va
liantly at the oars, big man rose
up in the stern and laid about hin
with a long pole. The man | knew
: to be Gupp, the pole the mast o
the boat. Exciting as it was, l we
l had time to admire his courage. l
a was the logged determination o
e his race asserting itself in spite o
D bad blood and blackguarIism
D Though had no love for him, fel
e my heart beat with genuine deligh
: as | saw the boat gradually draw
s away from the land. He had Tough
: good fight, bad as he was, an,
!, may | never breathe again If
4 didn't duly admire the brute.
= But my pleasure in his escap
n was short-lved, for I saw that h
e was steering straight toward US
T and however much | felt like az
d plauding his valor, l had no wis
n again to be brought in contact wit
} him. There was really no room
y for Mr.. Gupp aboard the Pull
r Way. Still on he came, and il
g watching him | did not observe tina
big canoe had rounded the south
e west corner Of the island and wa
l. now putting forth every effort t
r cut off the fugitives. When Hay
ling drew my attention to this tn
e aforesaid big canoe was comm
" across at an acute angle, quite
e dozen paddles flashing brightly i
It the sun.
s For minute or so 1t looked a
s though Gupp would reach us frs
o and had his boat been lighter. Q
: his crew stronger, he would. hav
n Jared better; but his boat wa
: heavy and his rowers had eyidentl
l. pulled themselves to pieces in tn
# firstquarter of mile. AS const
t quence the war canoe gradual
: overhauled them, and when Cup
saw the hopelessness of his pos
ton he turned to US and raised hi
arms, appealing for help. But eve
had we been inclined we could nc
+ have helped him, and may | be fol
= given if l admit that We hal nc
= much inclination. Hayling stoo