The Detroit times., 1909-01-01
CREW IS CAST ON
ISLAND AND HELD
BY SAvAGES
KEPT AS PRISONERS BY cANNi.
Balls TO BE TRADED FOR SUP
PLIES WITH ANY SHIP COMING
TO PLACE.

TO PLACE.
YARMOUTH, Mass, Jan. l.-Liv-
ing here in peaceful retirement Is
Capt. William Gooding. all Of whose
seafaring life was upon sailing YES
sells. Steam craft were never 10 his
liking. An experience OF one or his
early days stands out more viNidly
than any OF his other adventures.
He was on the Pacific in command
OF bark when he encountered a hur-
ricane that lasted two days and nights
and finally landed the bark on reef.
The ship held together until daylight
before going 70 pieces All managed
to reach the shore. although 1t was
at the risk OF their lives when going
through the surf
They found themselves 10 be on q
small island. which Capt. Gooding
rightly determined was one OF the
On reaching shore. which at first
seemed deserted. a motley crew OF
natives. armed with spears and other
native weapons, rushed down upon
them. The savages helped 10 pull
the men up on the beach beyond the
reach OF the waves.
The wrecked seamen were hurried
to the interior OF the island. whore
they were escorted TO q large grass
hut and fruit and other food given
TO them. Capt. Gooding, who had
tried without success 10 make him.
self understood, counselled with his
men. telling them to keep together
and on no account 10 wander away
from the main party.
After a time the head chief, attend
ed by a retinue OF lesser chiefs. came
to call upon the white men and OF.
fered them more fruit and appeared
friendly enough, but when the cap
tain tried 10 leave the large hut to re-
connoiter the village he was thrust
back and told in sign language he
must not attempt TO leave the place
When night came the savages as
sembied about fire near the center
Of the village and INDUCED in a cere-
monIal dance, and were addressed by
a high priest, who appeared to be ex-
horting them relative TO the ship
mariners.
The sailors divided themselves into
watches and kept guard over the en-.
trance 10 the hut. fearing an attempt
might be made TO injure them Stor-
les OF cannibalism and other atroci-
les were recalled by some OF the sea
men who had long sailed the south.
ern seas.
Several days passed and a suffici
ency OF food was supplied TO meet
the requirements Of the crew. but
Capt. Gooding and his mate. for all
their efforts. could not seem to win
the good graces of the savages or
their chiefs. After a time a party
came TO the hut, and one OF them
spoke 10 the captain in excellent Eng.
lish.
Native a White Man.
How do YOU happen TO understand
English" asked Capt. Gooding. Well.
! ought to- he replied. Il was born
in London and am as white as YOU
are excepting for the tan and other
things" He said his name was
Charles Irons, and that he had been
wrecked on the island some years be-
fore and had been adopted as a mem
Der of the tribe.
You need not fear that they will
kill YOU" said Irons TO Capt. Good.
ing, but they don't mean TO let YOU
escape. The head chief thinks thai
you are valuable asset, that some
whaling vessel may come along short
OF men and that he can trade YOU for
such things as the savages want On
no account try 10 make your escape.
for II you do all OF you will be killed. |
Will be friend TO you and will keep
you Informed as TO what is going on
In the village"
Weeks dragged away and there /
seemed TO be no hope for change In
the condition OF the shipwrecked crew.
The sailors OF the bark became rest.
less and threatened to make trouble.
and Capt. Gooding had all he could
do to restrain them. They were oc-
allowed TO wander about |
the village for exercise. but Capt. |
Gooding insisted that they all keen
together TO be prepared for a sur |
prise or for any hostile move Every.
where that they went they were fol-
lowed by guard OF savages.
In the walks which Capt. Gooding
and his men took he found that il was 1
hopeless for them TO expect to get |
away from the island without help |
from some OF the savages, as he could |
not find any boats or canoes large |
enough or properly equipped for
long voyage. Anxiously the shipwreck.
ed men watched the horizon, hoping |
for the coming of a sailing craft or a |
steamship.
At last Capt Gooding determined !
to seek the good Offices OF Irons, the !
He told the captain he |
was perfectly we'll satisfied with the
life he was leading The women Der. |
formed all the work, the climate was
fine. there was plenty TO eat and &C.
something 10 drink. Irons
said he had no desire 20 leave the isl.
and and never would leave II volun.
tarily. but had no objections 10 help
ing Capt. Gooding and his men get
away il they preferred civilization.
The Englishman then began to work
upon the fears of the head chief, who
stood somewhat In awe OF him. He
told the chief the men would he hunt
ed up by warship and that when IL
arrived and the men were found held
as captives they would be released
and the islanders punished II was a
long time before he would consent 10
any move being made for the release
Of the seamen. Finally he fitted out
a large canoe and provisioned IL for
a voyage, permitting Capt Gooding,
the mate and one other seaman TO
EVII g OF OVEREATING