Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-07-11

iniquity were often compelled to do
these things directly. The stain on
my own conscience is that had l re-
fused to run the engine and been shot
down for my disobedience of orders
the pirates would have been obliged
to run her ashore or abandon her for
a captured sailer for there was not an
engineer among them.
One afternoon late in June, 1888. we
were cruising off the island or For
mosa. | was so worn with my con-
dition that showed signs or breaking
down. Through the interpreter l ask
ed permission to be permitted to go
on deck for fresh air. My life being
necessary to my masters, their cap
tain consented that Jacobson should
come down into the engine room, and
since there was nothing of importance
to do there l should go up, being
ready for a call from below if my
services were needed.
We were steaming along northward
at about six knots when l saw on the
horizon a faint line that looked like
smoke. There were but few of the
pirates on deck, most of them being
below drinking liquor that had been
captured the day before. Those on
deck had been drinking, but were con-
sidered able to keep watch over the
white members of the crew. But they
were not sufficiently in control of their
faculties to notice the line of smoke
on the horizon or they would have
called their captains attention to 1t.
Meanwhile there appeared under the
smoke certain black dots. They were
nearly equidistant, and over each
could soon distinguish thin film lead
ing to the cloud above. The dots
grew larger, and it was evident that
we and they were drawing nearer to-
gether.
CHANGING aside, saw Coyne, who
was busy over some cordage, standing
looking at what had arrested my at
tention. We dared not speak to each
other, but he cast a meaning glance
at me. Then / looked about at the
Malays. One was sitting on the deck
with his back against the gunwale,
another was doing in a hammock,
while a third was walking about I'M
steadily.
gave Coyne a meaning look, COM
bined first of a glance at what was
approaching, second of one at the Ma
lays and third at a companionway.
What all this was meant to convey
was a suggestion that steamers were
approaching. that we might overpow-
er the three pirates, close the compan-
ionway and signal for assistance.
Coyne, who was desperate, understood
and showed by looks and pantomime
that he was eager for the attempt.
Realizing that we would need Jacob
son. l went down into the engine
room, where he was without guard,
and told him of our plan. l also
agreed with him that he should come
up as near as possible to the deck
without being seen and be ready to
shut and bolt the companionway doors
while Coyne and l were overpowering
two of the Malays. Just how we were
to do this must depend upon circum-
stances. Coyne was a powerful fell
low, was reduced by illness, and ia
cobson was small, but wiry.
By this time the coming ships were
to be made out as a feet of war yes
sells. Had we been up with the times
we would have recognized them as the
feet Of Admiral Dewey, which had
left Hongkong to attack Manila. They
fearing some of the pirate crew would
see them and steam out Of their path,
we dared not put off our attempt. Re
Stunning my place on deck, by signs,
chiefly looks, L conveyed to Coyne that
he was to tackle the man sitting on
the deck and try to throw him over
board, while folded the one asleep in
his hammock till Coyne could come
and dispose of him. Jacobson was to
dash out of hiding and close the doors.
Coyne and l both walked toward the
two pirates. He suddenly picked up
his man and without much of a strug-
gle got him over the gunwale. l had
barely bound my captive in his ham
mock when Coyne came, and, loosen
ing the hammock at each end, we car
ried the man in it to the side Of the
ship and dropped him over. While we
were doing this Jacobson, who had
been on the watch. made a dash at the
companionway doors, closed and fas-
tened them. This left the three of us
on deck with one enemy. Seeing that
he was too late he ran forward, chased
by Coyne and Jacobson, who caught
him and served him as his two com
panions had been served.
Within couple of minutes we had
secured possession of the ship. Coyne
was about to run for the signal flags
when l stopped him.
ut has often occurred to me-" said,
that if we were taken we thrNa would
be hanged for piracy with the others.
We have the ship safe enough. Sup
pose we let these vessels pass. We
may save our necks by doing so"
Since l was the only skilled man of
the three the others agreed to follow
my suggestion. The pirates were con
fined within the forward part Of the
ship. having no access to the other
parts, while we had free descent to the
engine room.
shrink from giving the last part of
the story, which was inspired partly
by vengeance and partly with the