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

! YARMOUTH, Mass, Jan. Lily
ing here in peaceful retirement is
Capt William Gooding, all OF whose
seafaring life was upon sailing YES
sells. Steam craft were never TO his
I liking. An experience OF one OF his
early days stands out more wildly
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 a reef.
The ship held together until daylight
before going TO pieces. All managed
10 reach the shore, although II was
at the risk OF their lives when going
through the surf.
They found themselves TO be on q
small island. which Capt. Gooding
! rightly determined was one of the
smaller ones Of the Caroline group.
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 to pull
| the men up on the beach beyond the
reach Of the waves.
The wrecked seamen were hurried
to the interior Of the island, where
they were escorted to q large grass
hut and fruit and other food given
TO them. Capt Gooding, who had
tried without success TO make him
self understood. counselled with his
men. telling them to keep together
and on no account TO wander away
from the main party.
After a time the head chief. attend
ed by 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 to 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
sembled about fire near the center
Of the village and INDUCED In a cere-
monial dance, and were addressed by
high priest, who appeared to be ex-
horting them relative 10 the ship
wrecked mariners.
The sailors divided themselves into
watches and kept guard over the en-
trance TO the hut, fearing an attempt
might be made 10 injure them. Stor-
les OF cannibalism and other atroci-
ties were recalled by some OF the sea
men who had long sailed the south
ern seas.
Several days passed and a sufici-
ency Of food was supplied 10 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 time a party
came TO the hut. and one OF them
spoke TO 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. II 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 that
you are a valuable asset, that some
whaling vessel may come along short
such things as the savages want. On
no account try TO make your escape.
for II you do all OF you will be killed.
will be a friend to you and will keep
you informed as to what Is going on
In the village"
Weeks dragged away and there
seemed 10 be no hope Tor a 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-
casionally allowed to wander about
the village for exercise, but Capt.
Gooding insisted that they all keep
together to be prepared for 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. Cooling
and his men took he found that IL was
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 a
long voyage. Anxiously the shipwreck-
ed men watched the horizon, hoping
for the coming Of sailing craft or q
steamship.
At last Capt. Gooding determined
TO seek the good offices Of Irons the
Englishman. He told the captain he
was perfectly we'll satisfied with the
life he was leading. The women per
formed all the work, the climate was
fine. there was plenty to eat and oc-
casionally 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 Can't. Gooding and his men get
away If they preferred civilization.
The Engishman 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 be 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 n was a
long time before he would consent TO
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. Goodlng. f,
the Mate and one other seaman TO |