The daily Alaskan., 1911-08-16

lnlquig weFR gften compelled Co do these things directly. The stain on my own couscience is that had re 'rused to run the eugiue and been shot down for my disobedience Of orders Che 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. 1898. we were cruising oa the island Of For mosa. was SO worn with my con didon that showed signs of breaking down Through the Interpreter ! ask ed permission to be permitted Co go on deck for fresh air My fife being necessary Co my masters. their cap- thin consented that Jacobson should come down into the engine room. and since there was nothing of Importance to do there should so up, being ready for a call from below 1T my services were needed
 We were steaming along northward at about six knots when saw on the horizon a faint line that looked iike smoke. There were but few of the pirates ou deeE. most or them being below drinking liquor that had been captured the day before Those ou deck had been drinking but were con sidurcd able Co keep watch over the white members of the crew Bot they were not sufficiently in control or their faculties to uotlre lhe line 0f 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 eQuidisiant and over each I could soon distinguish thin film lead ing to the cloud ubove. The dots grew lurger. aud it was evident that we and they were drawing nearer to- gether
 Ghncing oslde, | saw Coyne, who was busy over some cordage, standing looking at what bad arrested my at- tenuon. We dared not speak to each other. but be cast meaning glance at me. Then looked about at the Malays. One was sitting on the deck with his back against the gunwaie. another was dozinE in a hammock, while a third was walking about uu- steadily.
 l gave Coyne a meaning look, com blned first Of a glance at what was approaching. second Of one at the Ma lays and third ut a companiouwuy. What an this was meant Go convey was a suggestion that steamers were approaching. that we might overpow- CT 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 Jocob- son. l went down Into the engine room. where he was without guard, and told him ot our plan, 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 companiouway doors while Coyne and ! were overpcweflng two Of the &alays Just bow we were to do this must depend upon circum- stances. Coyne wus a powerful fei- low. was reduced by Illness, and Jn- cobson was small but wiry.
 By this time the coming ships were to be made out as a fleet of war ves sels. Had we been up with the times we would have re,ognized them as the fleet of Admiral Dewey. which had lett Hongkong to attack Manila. They were stiu a good distance from us; but, fearing some of the pirate crew you'd see them md steam out of their path. we dared not put or our attempt Re suming my place on deck, by signs chiefly looks. ! conveyed to Coyne thHt he was to tackle the man sitting on the deck ma try Co throw him over beard. while ! folded the one asleep in bis hammock uH Coyne could come and dispose Of him. Jacobson was to dash out of hiding and close the doors.
 Coyne and I both walked toward tho two pirates. He suddenly picked up his man and without much of n strug- gle got him over the gunwale. had barely bound my captive in bis han. mock when Coyne came. and, loosen ing the hammock at each end, we car ried the man In it to Che side of the shu, and dropped him over. While we were doing this Jacobson who had been on the watch. made dash at the companiouway doors. closed and fas- tened them This left the three of us on deck with one enemy. Seeing that he was too late be ran forward, chased by Coyue and Jacobson, who caught him and seryed him as his two com pauions hud been served
 Within a couple of minutes we had secured possession or the ship. Coyne was about to run for the signal flags when ! stopped him
 "It has often occurred to me" said, ''that 1T 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 I was the only skilled man Of She three the others agreed 10 follow my suggestion The pirates were con -H