The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-07-14

mosa. l was so worn with my con.
dition that showed signs OF breaking
down. Through the interpreter 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 should go up, being
ready for a call from below IL my
services were needed.
We We're steaming along northward
at about six knots when saw on the
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 It.
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
tention. We dared not speak to each
other, but he cast meaning glance
at me. Then l looked about at the
Malays. One was sitting on the deck
with bis back against the gunwale,
another was DOING In a hammock,
while third was walking about un-
steadily.
gave Coyne q meaning look, COM
bined first Of glance at what was
approaching. second of one at the Ma.
lays and third at 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. ! 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
n 80 hn
without being seen and be ready to
shut and bolt the companionway doors
while Coyne and I 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
lett Hongkong to attack Manila. They
We're 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 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 both walked toward the
two pirates. He suddenly picked up
his man and without much of strug-
gle got him over the gunwaie. l had
barely bound my captive In his ham
mock when Coyne came. and. loosen
ing the hammock Mt each end, we car
ried the man in 1t TO the side of the
ship and dropped him over. While we
were doing this jacobson, who had
been on the watch. made dash at the
companionway doors. closed and fas-
ON deck with one enemy. Seeing that
lie 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 n couple of minutes we had
secured possession of the ship. Coyne
was about to run for the signal flags
when stopped him.
III has often occurred to me-" said,
"that IL 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
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
knowledge that dead men tell no tales.
We let the feet pass us without much
interest In 1t. we being engrossed by
our own affairs. Then we scraped to.
gether all the cumbustibles we could
find and mnde them ready to be fred.
A boat was lowered. and. applying a
match TO our kindllng. we went down
the side and into the boat As we pull
ed for land we saw the flames shoot up
from the Mary Blame and heard the
shrieks of the men who had forced our
companions to walk the plank.
Reaching the shore. we separated,
each bound by an oath to say nothing
ahout our experience