Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-08-12

iuiuulty were Olleu tUmVelitu u 10
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
10 run her ashore or abandon her for
4 captured sailer. for there was not an
engineer among them.
One afternoon tate IN June. 1898. we
were cruising OF the island of For
mosa. | was so worn with my con
dition that | showed signs OF breaking
down. Through the interpreter ask
ed permission to be permitted TO 20
on deck for fresh air. My life being
necessary 10 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 | should go up. being
ready for call from below II my
services were needed.
We were steaming along northward
at about six knots when ! saw on the
horizon faint line that looked like
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 II.
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 1t 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
tentlon. We dared not speak TO each
other. but he cast 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 n hammock.
while third was walking about I'M
steadily.
l gave Coyne a meaning look. COM
bined first of a glance nj what was
approaching. second OF one at the Ma
lays and third at a companionway.
What all this was meant to convey
was 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. ! went down into the engine
room. where he was without guard.
and told him of our plan. also
agreed with him that he should come
up as near rs possible to the deck
without being seen and he ready to
shut and bolt the companionway doors
while Coyne and were oyerpOwering
two OF the Malays. Just how we were
20 do this must depend upon circum-
stances. Coyne was n powerful fell
low. was reduced by illness. and ia
cobsOn was small. hut wiry.
BY this time the coming ships were
10 be made out as n fleet of war yes
sells. Had we been up with the times
we would have recognized them as the
fleet of Admiral Dewey. which had
left HOngkong 10 attack Manila. They
were still good distance from us: but.
fearing some OF the pirate crew would
see them and steam out OF their path.
we dared not put of our attempt Re
Stunning my place on deck. by signs.
chiefly looks. conveyed 10 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 both walked toward the
two pirates. He suddenly picked up
his man and without much Of strug-
gle got him over the gunwale. ! had
barely bound my captive In his ham,
ulDCh WuGu Wy ht hhNs sCSSSh
ing the hammock Mt each end. we car
ried the man In II to the side OF the
ship and dropped him over. While we
were doing this Jacobson. who had
been on the watch. made n 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 stopped him.
"It has often occurred 10 me-" l said.
that II we were taken we three 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 was the only skilled man OF